High-density fiber optic backplane

A method for forming a fiber optic backplane, comprising the steps of:

• providing a support structure that defines channels;
• positioning a set of ribbon coatings such that each ribbon coating of the set of ribbon coatings extends from a same channel defined by the support structure;
• distributing optical fibers such that ribbon portions of the optical fibers extend over the set of ribbon coatings, and support structure portions of the optical fibers extend through the channels defined by the support structure;
• and
• securing the optical fibers such that (i) each ribbon coating of the set of ribbon coatings holds the ribbon portions of at least two of the optical fibers in a row to form a set of optical fiber ribbons that extend in a column from the same channel defined by the support structure, and (ii) the support structure retains the support structure portions of the optical fibers.

A fiber optic network assembly, comprising:

• fiber optic circuit boards, each fiber optic circuit board having a set of fiber optic circuit board connecting members;
• and
• a fiber optic backplane that connects with the fiber optic circuit boards, the fiber optic backplane including:
• multiple optical fibers,
• a set of ribbon coatings, each ribbon coating of the set of ribbon coatings holding ribbon portions of at least two of the multiple optical fibers in a row to form a set of optical fiber ribbons,
• a casing that holds casing portions of the multiple optical fibers, each ribbon coating of the set of ribbon coatings attaching to the casing at a same location of the casing such that the formed set of optical fiber ribbons extends from a single hole defined by the casing, the set of ribbon coatings extending in a column from the single hole defined by the casing, and
• a set of fiber optic backplane connecting members coupled to the set of ribbon coatings, each fiber optic backplane connecting member positioning ends of the ribbon portions of the optical fibers in a respective row and being capable of forming a set of optical connections with a corresponding fiber optic circuit board connecting member.