Managed fiber connectivity systems

Abstract

A communications connection system includes an SC fiber optic connector including a storage device having memory configured to store physical layer information. The storage device also includes electrical contacts or an RFID antenna coil connected to the memory for transmitting information to a management system. The communications connection system also includes a fiber optic adapter module having one or more media reading interfaces. Each media reading interface is configured to read physical layer information stored on one of the fiber optic connectors received at the adapter module. Example media reading interfaces include electrical contacts and RFID readers.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A fiber optic connector comprising:
 a first connector housing;   an optical fiber extending through the first connector housing;   a second connector housing that is movably coupled to the first connector housing so that the first connector housing is slidable relative to the second connector housing; and   a radio-frequency identification device mounted to one of the first and second connector housings.   
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 5 , wherein the radio-frequency identification device is mounted to the first connector housing. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 5 , wherein the radio-frequency identification device is mounted to the second connector housing. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 5 , wherein the second connector housing at least partially surrounds the first connector housing. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 8 , wherein the radio-frequency identification device is mounted to the first connector housing. 
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 8 , wherein the radio-frequency identification device is mounted to the second connector housing. 
     
     
         11 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 5 , wherein the fiber optic connector is an SC connector, wherein the first connector housing is an inner housing; and wherein the second connector housing is an outer grip housing. 
     
     
         12 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 5 , wherein the radio-frequency identification device is exposed at an exterior of the fiber optic connector. 
     
     
         13 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 5 , wherein the radio-frequency identification device is embedded within the fiber optic connector. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 5 , further comprising a ferrule being held by the first connector housing, the ferrule holding and providing access to the optical fiber. 
     
     
         15 . A fiber optic connector configured to be received at an optical adapter, the fiber optic connector comprising:
 an inner body configured to retain a ferrule that extends longitudinally through the inner body;   an outer body slideably received about the inner body, the outer body defining a cavity opening in a forward-facing slot;   a storage device disposed in the recess of the inner body, at least a portion of the storage device extending above an outer surface of the inner body and at least partially through the cut-out of the outer body, the storage device including memory configured to store physical layer information, the storage device also including a transmission member for communicating information from memory to a data management system;   a plug piece sized to close the slot defined in the outer body.   
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 15 , wherein the plug piece is formed by overmolding the outer body at the slot. 
     
     
         17 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 15 , wherein the plug piece includes a separate part that is attached to the outer body. 
     
     
         18 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 17 , wherein the plug piece is welded to the outer body. 
     
     
         19 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 17 , wherein the plug piece is glued to the outer body. 
     
     
         20 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 15 , wherein the cavity of the outer body is partially defined by two shelves separated by a gap facing the inner body. 
     
     
         21 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 20 , wherein the inner body defines a channel that extends longitudinally along an exterior surface of the inner body in alignment with the gap between the two shelves. 
     
     
         22 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 15 , wherein the storage device includes an RFID tag. 
     
     
         23 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 15 , wherein the storage device includes a circuit board and EEPROM.