Apparatus for housing a linearized optical fiber amplifier

Abstract

The invention is directed to an apparatus for housing a linearized optical fiber amplifier (LOFA) circuit. The apparatus includes a body member, preferably made of foam plastic material, that defines cavities to receive the components of the LOFA circuit including a dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) reel. The apparatus includes opposing arcuate members about which optical fibers coupling components of the LOFA circuit are looped. Retaining rings fitted over the first and second arcuate members and supported by at least one surface defined in the body member, can be used to separate each optical fiber from others to provide organization and to prevent entanglement of the optical fibers. A reel receptacle member receives and holds an active fiber (AF) reel of the LOFA circuit. The reel receptacle member can be placed between the arcuate members to be held therebetween. The body member can be fitted into a case, preferably made of a rigid, lightweight material such as aluminum, that protects the LOFA circuit from damage due to shock or impact.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.