Fiber optic network architecture using high fiber-count fiber optic connectors

Abstract

A fiber optic network architecture for distributing service to local subscribers is disclosed. The architecture includes a plurality of high-fiber count cables connected end-to-end at connectorized coupling locations to form a main cable trunk. The connectorized coupling locations include high-fiber count pass-through connections for optically connecting optical fibers of adjacent ones of the high-fiber count cables end. The connectorized coupling locations also including high-fiber count branch connections for optically connecting optical fibers of the high-fiber count cables to branch locations.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A fiber optic connector, comprising:
 a connector body defining a mechanical interface and supporting a ferrule arrangement, the ferrule arrangement including:   a plurality of multi-fiber ferrules arranged consecutively in a row of multi-fiber ferrules, each of the multi-fiber ferrules including a plurality of parallel rows of optical fiber openings for receiving optical fibers, the parallel rows of optical fiber openings being positioned between two ferrule alignment structures, the ferrule alignment structures including an alignment pin at one side of the parallel rows of fiber openings and a vacant pin opening at an opposite side of the parallel rows of fiber openings ferrules.   
     
     
         31 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 , wherein the fiber optic connector is configured to optically couple to another fiber optic connector having an identically configured ferrule arrangement and an identically configured mechanical interface. 
     
     
         32 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 , wherein the mechanical interface includes a structure aligned with the row of the multi-fiber ferrules. 
     
     
         33 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 32 , wherein the structure is a key. 
     
     
         34 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 33 , wherein the key projects from an outer surface of the connector body along a reference line defined by the row of the multi-fiber ferrules. 
     
     
         35 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 34 , wherein the key is configured to mate with a fiber optic adapter to couple the connector body to the fiber optic adapter. 
     
     
         36 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 , wherein each of the rows of the optical fiber openings includes twelve of the optical fiber openings. 
     
     
         37 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 , including six of the multi-fiber ferrules arranged consecutively in the row of multi-fiber ferrules. 
     
     
         38 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 ,
 wherein the row of multi-fiber ferrules defines a first reference line;   wherein the alignment pins of the multi-fiber ferrules are aligned a long a second reference line parallel to the first reference line; and   wherein the vacant pin openings are aligned a long a third reference line parallel to the first and second reference lines.   
     
     
         39 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 , wherein at least some of the optical fiber openings are vacant. 
     
     
         40 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 , wherein the alignment pins are fixed within occupied pin openings defined by the ferrule bodies. 
     
     
         41 . A fiber optic connector, comprising:
 a connector body defining a mechanical interface and supporting a ferrule arrangement, the ferrule arrangement including:
 a plurality of multi-fiber ferrules arranged consecutively in a row of multi-fiber ferrules, each of the multi-fiber ferrules including a plurality of parallel rows of optical fiber openings for receiving optical fibers, the parallel rows of optical fiber openings being positioned between two ferrule alignment structures, the ferrule alignment structures including an alignment pin at one side of the parallel rows of fiber openings and a vacant pin opening at an opposite side of the parallel rows of fiber openings ferrules, 
   wherein the mechanical interface includes a key structure aligned with the row of the multi-fiber ferrules and projecting from an outer surface of the connector body along a reference line defined by the row of the multi-fiber ferrules.   
     
     
         42 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 41 , wherein the key is configured to mate with a fiber optic adapter to couple the connector body to the fiber optic adapter. 
     
     
         43 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 41 , wherein at least some of the optical fiber openings are vacant. 
     
     
         44 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 41 , wherein the alignment pins are fixed within occupied pin openings defined by the ferrule bodies.