Ferrule retainers having access window(s) for accessing and/or referencing a fiber optic ferrule, and related fiber optic connector assemblies, connectors, and referencing methods

An optical fiber connector assembly, comprising:

• a ferrule having a ferrule body comprising a first end and a second end, an end face disposed on the first end, and at least one alignment feature disposed between the first end and the second end of the ferrule body;
• and
• a ferrule retainer, comprising:
• a retainer body;
• an opening disposed through a portion of a first end of the retainer body and configured to allow the end face of the ferrule, disposed along the longitudinal axis of the retainer body, to be disposed through the opening;
• and
• at least one access window disposed through a second portion of the first end of the retainer body to allow access to at least one alignment feature of the ferrule retained within the ferrule retainer and accessible through the at least one access window, wherein the at least one access window is disposed in the second portion in communication with the first portion of the first end of the retainer body and the at least one access window extends the length of a first dimension of the opening.

A method of referencing a ferrule in an optical fiber connector assembly, comprising:

• providing a referencing platform having at least one reference feature;
• receiving the at least one reference feature in at least one access window disposed in a second portion of a first end of a ferrule retainer, the ferrule retainer retaining a ferrule comprising an end face disposed through an opening disposed in a first portion of the first end of the ferrule retainer;
• and
• abutting an end surface of the at least one reference feature to at least one alignment feature of the ferrule retained within the ferrule retainer.