(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2016/0062050 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 3, 2016
`Giraud et al.
`
`US 2016.0062050A1
`
`(54) FIBER OPTIC SOLUTIONS FOR MIGRATION
`BETWEEN DUPLEX AND PARALLEL
`MULT-FIBER SOLUTIONS ALLOWING FOR
`FULL FIBER UTILIZATION
`
`(71) Applicant: Corning Optical Communications
`LLC, Hickory, NC (US)
`
`(72) Inventors: William Julius McPhil Giraud, Azle,
`TX (US); David Joseph Hessong,
`Hickory, NC (US); Diana Rodriguez,
`Fort Worth, TX (US); Brian Keith
`Rhoney, Hickory, NC (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/840,301
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 31, 2015
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 62/043,794, filed on Aug.
`29, 2014, provisional application No. 62/043,797,
`filed on Aug. 29, 2014, provisional application No.
`62/043,802, filed on Aug. 29, 2014, provisional appli
`cation No. 62/132,872, filed on Mar. 13, 2015.
`
`
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`GO2B 6/38
`GO2B 6/44
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............ G02B 6/3825 (2013.01); G02B 6/3897
`(2013.01); G02B 6/4453 (2013.01); G02B
`6/3879 (2013.01); G02B 6/3885 (2013.01)
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Fiber optic equipment that supports 8-fiber MPO configura
`tions that enable migration between duplex transmission and
`8-fiber parallel transmission is disclosed. The fiber optic
`equipment comprises at least one front multi-fiber adapter at
`a front end of the panel assembly, each adapter having a front
`side and a rear side. The fiber optic equipment also comprises
`at least one pass-through channel configured to receive at
`least one optical multi-fiber cable therethrough, wherein the
`rear side of the at least one front multi-fiber adapter is con
`figured to optically connect to a first multi-fiber optical cable
`extending from a rear end of the panel assembly toward the
`front end. The front side of the at least one front multi-fiber
`adapter is configured to optically connect to a second multi
`fiber optical cable extending from the rear end of the panel
`assembly toward the front end of panel assembly and passing
`through the at least one pass through channel.
`
`

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`

`US 2016/0062050 A1
`
`Mar. 3, 2016
`
`FIBER OPTIC SOLUTIONS FOR MIGRATION
`BETWEEN DUPLEXAND PARALLEL
`MULT-FIBER SOLUTIONS ALLOWING FOR
`FULL FIBER UTILIZATION
`
`PRIORITY APPLICATION
`0001. This application claims the benefit of priority under
`35 U.S.C. S 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos.
`62/043,794, 62/043,797, and 62/043,802, all of which were
`filed on Aug. 29, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
`No. 62/132,872, which was filed on Mar. 13, 2015, the con
`tent of each of which is relied upon and incorporated herein
`by reference in its entirety.
`
`FIELD
`0002 The present disclosure relates to optical fiber con
`nection assemblies, and more particularly, to optical fiber
`connection assembly hardware and modules for a base-8 fiber
`Solution.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0003. There are two dominant transmission forms used in
`data centers for fiber cabling today. A duplex (e.g., 2 fiber)
`Solution uses dedicated transmit and receive optical channels
`paired together and a parallel multi-fiber Solution (e.g., 8-fi
`ber Solutions) that transmits signals using multiple optical
`channels and recombines the multiple optical channels for
`transmitting at faster speeds. For instance, a parallel 100
`Gigabit link may be transmitted along ten parallel 10-Gigabit
`lanes with the multiple 10-Gigabit signals being recombined
`from the parallel channels. Many customers desire to move
`back and forth between these different transmission forms at
`different locations in the network depending on networkman
`agement requirements and link costs at different protocol
`speeds. Existing parallel solutions require an MTP type con
`nector, which is designed to hold 12 fibers.
`0004. Likewise, current duplex solutions also deploy
`12-fiber MPO trunk cabling along with MPO/LC breakout
`modules. In the duplex solutions the plurality of optical chan
`nels of the MPO connecter are broken out into individual
`optical channels using modules with LC connections. Con
`sequently, all of the optical channels can be accessed as LC
`ports at the front of the module. However, these network
`solutions do not allow the flexibility to easily migrate the
`system from a duplex transmission to a parallel transmission
`solution and Vice-versa. Further, fiber utilization rates for the
`12-fiber optical networks can be encountered if other fiber
`counts are needed for the network such as 8-fiber solutions,
`either 4 fibers must be left dark or conversion modules must
`be employed, either of which may add cost, complexity and
`attenuation to the network systems.
`0005 Existing solutions for migration from a duplex
`transmission to a parallel transmission contemplate the cum
`bersome replacement of current MPO-LC modules with an
`MPO panel. However, there is also a need to easily migrate
`back to a duplex transmission when desired. This migration
`can provide challenges and result in extensive down time for
`the migration. For example, users are cabling cabinets in the
`data center space without prior knowledge if duplex or par
`allel transmission would be required in that cabinet (based on
`servers placed in that cabinet). In addition, new transceiver
`technology is always evolving in the market; thus a particular
`data rate today that might require parallel cabling could be
`
`replaced by a new duplex transceiver in the future at the same
`data rate. Thus, there is a need for flexibility in cabling and
`network infrastructure that allow the network operator an
`easy way to migrate between duplex and parallel transmission
`and vice versa at locations in the optical network
`
`SUMMARY
`
`0006. The application discloses end-to-end solutions for
`8-fiber MPO connector, not the standard 12-fiberconnections
`used in the industry today (the MPO connector such as a MTP
`connector itself could be a new 8-fiber molded ferrule with
`only 8 holes or only load 8 fibers in the current 12 fiber
`connector ferrule configuration and is a BASE-8 configura
`tion). Although the concepts are discussed relative to chassis
`having a 1-U rack space footprint, all of the concepts may be
`expanded for example to chassis having a 4-U rack space
`footprint with the same densities, but a quadrupling of the
`number of optical connections Supported. It is contemplated
`that other dimensions of housings (e.g., 5-U, 8-U, etc.) may
`be used without departing from the scope of the present
`disclosure.
`0007. The equipment, illustrated generally in FIGS. 1A-5,
`contemplates trunk cables using eight fibers per MPO con
`nector. The trunk cables could utilize 8-fiber subunits to
`which an MPO connector can be directly connectorized. This
`Solution also contemplates new fiber optic equipment such as
`eight fiber modules to allow up to 48 fibers in a /3 U tray
`utilizing LC duplex connectivity. In other words, the fiber
`optic equipment Such as modules, panel assemblies and
`hybrid modules may have a height that is /3 U-space or less
`for dense tray stacking in a chassis. Equipment trays using the
`BASE-8 modules and other fiber optic equipment for migrat
`ing from parallel to duplex transmissions are also disclosed.
`0008. The components and optical network solution dis
`closed offers several advantages compared with conventional
`optical network Solutions having a BASE-12 configuration.
`For instance, the equipment disclosed provides 100% fiber
`utilization, and maintains link attenuation performance when
`converting from a duplex solution to a parallel 8 fiber solu
`tion.
`0009. The fiber optic equipment provides a simple migra
`tion path between duplex and 8-fiber parallel links, by using
`a small MPO increment that matches up directly with the
`number of transceiver channels so that the migration between
`duplex and parallel links for transmission can happen while
`disrupting fewer duplex clients during migration.
`0010. Another embodiment, illustrated generally in FIGS.
`6 and 7, contemplates extending the MPO on the back of an
`MPO/LC module via a pigtail-like design, allowing it to be
`interconnected in the front plane. This MPO pigtail of the
`module or a MPO jumper would be routed through the hard
`ware (via a pass through channel design in the panel assembly
`or hardware) into the front end for connection in a multi-fiber
`adapter. The MPO based trunks would terminate in a panel
`assembly in the fiber optic equipment, thus the MPOs would
`be available for 8-fiber links in the front end of the fiber optic
`equipment. When 2-fiber links are required, the pigtailed
`modules would be installed and the leg passed through the
`hardware to the front plane to be interconnected to the MTPs
`in the panels. When the 2-fiber links are no longer required,
`the pigtails of the module would be unplugged, freeing up the
`8fports (the pigtail modules could remain in the housing as a
`
`

`

`US 2016/0062050 A1
`
`Mar. 3, 2016
`
`future path back to 2f connectivity). Likewise, the intercon
`nection from the module to the panel assembly may be made
`using a MPO jumper cable.
`0011. An additional application for the pigtailed module is
`for spine and leaf architectures where often 40 G ports are
`used to create a 10G mesh to allow for a more servers in the
`network. This would allow a patch field to be created and the
`mesh to be completed with jumpers.
`0012 Another embodiment contemplates an eight fiber
`pigtailed module, which can help solve two problems. The
`first is the desire to run parallel ports like high density duplex
`ports. An application example of this is the ability to run 40 G
`ports like (4) 10G ports. One of the main challenges in the
`application is that the structured cabling the multi-fiber port
`must be broken down into duplex connectors in the structured
`cabling. Current applications include buying 8 fiberharnesses
`and plugging them into panels. This solution can be solved
`better by providing an 8 fiber pigtailed module that can be
`plugged directly into the parallel port and present as LC
`connectors at the piece of hardware. Each LC breakout mod
`ule would represent a single parallel 4-channel parallel port
`(instead of the current 12f breakout panel that must represent
`1.5 parallel ports, hence not a clean/logical breakout of the
`port).
`0013 Components, fiber optic equipment and assemblies
`disclosed may also Support Switching between parallel and
`duplex links from the front side of chassis, tray or optical
`hardware. Again, the pigtail would extend the current MPO
`from the backplane and pass through the panel assembly to
`interconnect on the front plane to the trunk. This achieves the
`goal of presenting both the parallel and duplex ports at the
`front plane with no need to move the trunk cable connector (in
`the rear) when converting between duplex and parallel. In
`addition, no additional loss is introduced in the link.
`0014. This solution offers several advantages:
`0015 The ability to switch between duplex and parallel
`link form the front of a fiber optic housing. The backplane
`MPO cabling is able to stay in place and the network operator
`can easily migrate between duplex and parallel links from the
`front of the housing.
`0016. A clean and simple breakout of high fiber count
`parallel ports that are being operated to act like higher density
`lower speed ports. An application of this is operating parallel
`40G ports like 4 duplex 10G ports. This 8-fiber pigtailed
`module would allow that to happen, where the MPO pigtail
`would plug directly into the port and LC duplex connectors
`would be presented at the front end of the hardware such as
`tray, chassis or fiber optic equipment to allow the 10G ports
`to run to the desired location in the data center. This flexibility
`contributes to the value of running parallel ports as slower
`speed high density duplex ports.
`0017. Another embodiment, illustrated generally in FIGS.
`8-10C, contemplates a hybrid module having a single
`BASE-8 MPO adapter, so that network operators can migrate
`from the MPO/LC module to the MPO adapter when transi
`tioning to parallel optical circuits. This hybrid module allows
`the network operator to reserve a slot in the equipment/hard
`ware such as a tray if and when they would need to go back to
`duplex transmission.
`0018. The concept behind this disclosure is to create a
`combination duplex and parallel hybrid module that would
`allow a customer to transition between the different transmis
`sions by simply moving the connector of the trunk cable
`between locations of the hybrid module. One alternative to
`
`this approach would be to move the MPO connector from the
`trunk from a MTP/LC module into an MTP panel.
`0019. The advantage of this hybrid module would be the
`ease of planning and cabling migration. In one chassis
`embodiment, each slot in the tray would have a single MPO
`connector dedicated to that slot position in the tray. That MPO
`would be loaded in the rear of the module to breakout into LC
`connectivity for duplex transmission (creating 4-6 duplex
`links) or placed in the MPO adapter at the front plane to allow
`for a single parallel channel. As equipment is placed in the
`cabinet and the data rate and transmission technology is deter
`mined, the user would move each MTP per slot either in the
`duplex or parallel position based on the application. Thus, the
`network operator does not have to replace modules with pan
`els on Day 1 or Day 2 because both options are available in
`each module slot on Day 1.
`0020. Additional features and advantages will be set forth
`in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be
`readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description
`or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in
`the written description and embodiments hereof, as well as
`the appended drawings.
`0021. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
`description and the following detailed description are merely
`exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or frame
`work to understand the nature and character of the embodi
`mentS.
`0022. The accompanying drawings are included to pro
`vide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and
`constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
`one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description
`serve to explain principles and operation of the various
`embodiments.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`(0023 FIGS. 1A is a view of a BASE-8 fiber optic module
`according to one embodiment;
`(0024 FIGS. 1B and 1C depict a MPO panel and an LC
`module, respectively, having the BASE-8 configuration:
`0025 FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective and top views,
`respectively, of an equipment tray adapted to Support six (6)
`fiber optic modules (or panels) shown in FIG. 1A per unit
`width of the tray:
`0026 FIGS. 3A-3D are respective perspective, front, top,
`and side views of the equipment tray of FIGS. 2A and 2B
`disposed in a 1-U space chassis;
`(0027 FIG. 4 illustrates a comparison of the BASE-8 fiber
`optic module and equipment tray of FIGS. 2A-2B compared
`to a BASE-12 fiber optic module and equipment tray:
`0028 FIG. 5 illustrates a combination of BASE-8 and
`BASE-12 equipment trays disposed in a 1-U space chassis;
`0029 FIG. 6 illustrates a fiber-optic panel assembly hav
`ing a pair of front multi-fiber adapters and a pass-through
`channel configured to receive at least one optical multi-fiber
`cable therethrough:
`0030 FIG. 7 illustrates an equipment tray supporting the
`fiber optic panel assemblies of FIG. 6 along with the BASE-8
`fiber optic modules of FIG. 1A:
`0031 FIG. 8 illustrates a hybrid fiber optic module with a
`8-fiber optic module portion and a multi-fiber pass through
`portion disposed in a BASE-12 form factor for mounting into
`a BASE-12 sized equipment tray:
`0032 FIG. 9 illustrates an equipment tray supporting the
`hybrid fiber optic module of FIG. 8:
`
`

`

`US 2016/0062050 A1
`
`Mar. 3, 2016
`
`0033 FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate respective perspective,
`front, and top views of the equipment tray of FIG.9 disposed
`in a 1-U space chassis;
`0034 FIGS. 10D and 10E illustrate respective perspective
`front views of different 4-U chassis implementations, consis
`tent with certain disclosed embodiments;
`0035 FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a perspective view of
`the rear of an alternate embodiment of a BASE-8 fiber optic
`module and a perspective view of the front of an alternate
`embodiment of a BASE-8 fiber optic panel, consistent with
`certain disclosed embodiments;
`0036 FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an exem
`plary mounting rail for use on a tray, in accordance with
`certain disclosed embodiments;
`0037 FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an exem
`plary tray equipped with the exemplary mounting rails of
`FIG. 12, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;
`0038 FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate perspective front, top, and
`close-up views, respectively, of an exemplary tray, in accor
`dance with certain disclosed embodiments;
`0039 FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of an exemplary chas
`sis assembly having a lower tray in an extended (“slid-out”)
`position and an upper tray in a fully retracted (“housed’)
`position, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments;
`0040 FIGS. 16A and 16B provide top views of alternate
`embodiments of metallic Supporting structures used in
`respective implementations of the equipment trays, in accor
`dance with certain disclosed embodiments;
`0041
`FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective front isometric
`view of an exemplary equipment tray having rail guides and
`jumper routing guides, consistent with certain disclosed
`embodiments;
`0042 FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective side view of an
`exemplary jumper routing guide, in accordance with certain
`disclosed embodiments;
`0043 FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C illustrate a perspective
`front view (for BASE-12), a schematic wiring diagram (for
`BASE-12), and a schematic wiring diagram (for BASE-8),
`respectively, of exemplary LC to MTP module with an MTP
`port “tap' capability;
`0044 FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate a respective perspec
`tive front view and schematic wiring diagram, respectively, of
`an exemplary BASE-12 and BASE-8 MTP to MTP module
`with an MTP port “tap' capability; and
`004.5 FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C illustrate a perspective
`front view (for BASE-12), a schematic wiring diagram (for
`BASE-12), and a schematic wiring diagram (for BASE-8),
`respectively, of exemplary LC to LC port “tap' capability.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0046. The application discloses BASE-8 modules, fiber
`optic panel assemblies, and hybrid fiber optic modules for
`mounting in equipment trays that can be mounted in a mov
`able fashion to a chassis. The assemblies disclosed provide
`the ability to easily and quickly migrate an optical network
`between duplex transmission and 8-fiber parallel transmis
`sion. The BASE-8 configurations are contrary to the installed
`BASE-12 optical networks that are widely deployed. Further,
`the BASE-8 components and assemblies can improve fiber
`utilization rates when requiring quick and easy migration
`path between duplex and parallel transmission in an optical
`network.
`0047 Conventional solutions include replacing the cur
`rent MPO/LC breakout duplex modules with MPO panels/
`
`modules when converting to 8-fiber links for parallel trans
`mission. However, there is a need for flexibility to convert
`back to 2-fiber links as needed when network requirements
`change, such as new lower bandwidth equipment placed in
`cabinet, or a new technology evolving that only requires
`2-fiber duplex connectivity. Hence, the ability to easily con
`vert between duplex and 8-fiber parallel transmission systems
`is desired and not currently available with conventional net
`works. One embodiment is directed to tray for mounting fiber
`optic equipment having a BASE-8 configuration. For
`instance, the fiber optic equipment having the BASE-8 con
`figuration could be a module, a panel assembly, a hybrid
`module, or other Suitable fiber optic equipment.
`0048. As used herein, BASE-8 means the component Sup
`ports transmission of eight optical channels and connects
`with 8-fiber connectors, not 12-fiber connectors. Conse
`quently, all of the optical channels may be used for migrating
`between duplex and parallel transmission without having
`unused optical fibers. The concepts are depicted with 8-fiber
`ports such as MPO ports and single fiber ports such as LC
`ports that Support single fiber connectors. Fiber optic equip
`ment and assemblies disclosed may be secured and Supported
`in trays, and the trays may be secured and Supported in a
`chassis. Further, the fiber optic equipment may optionally
`move relative to the trays when attached thereto. Likewise,
`the trays may optionally move relative to the chassis when
`attached thereto.
`0049. This disclosure is directed to pre-terminated solu
`tions based around using units of 8-fibers in connectors and
`adapters to match-up with the channels required for an 8-fiber
`parallel transceiver. This is in contrast to the conventional 12
`and 24-fiber base solutions used in optical networks today.
`Included in this disclosure are trunk cables with 8-fiber units,
`MPO connectors or other suitable connector only populated
`with 8-fibers, and BASE-8 fiber optic equipment such as
`MPO to LC fiber optic modules, fiber optic panel assemblies
`and hybrid fiber optic modules.
`0050 Generally speaking, a module will include an enclo
`Sure having an internal chamber, whereas a panel assembly
`will not have an enclosure. A fiber harness is typically
`installed into the internal chamber of the module for protect
`ing the same. Panel assemblies may be used for optical con
`nection Such as a fiber optic panel assembly comprising a
`front panel disposed at a front end with a linear array of fiber
`optic adapters arranged in a width direction in the front panel
`in a BASE-8 configuration. Further, the BASE-8 fiber optic
`equipment Such as the fiber optic panel assembly or module
`may compactly mount into a tray using/6 of the tray width or
`less. In another embodiment, the fiber optic panel assembly
`has a first and second multi-fiber adapter disposed at a front
`end of the fiber optic panel assembly and at least one pass
`through channel at the rear side. Another piece of fiber optic
`equipment is the hybrid fiber optic module that supports
`connections for eight LC connections and an 8-fiber MPO
`connection at the front end, and which provides a quick and
`easy migration node in the network.
`0051 FIG. 1A depicts a BASE-8 fiber optic module 10
`(hereinafter module 10) and FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an equip
`ment tray 100 (hereinafter tray) using module 10. FIGS. 1B
`and 1C respectively illustrate a BASE-8 4 port MTP panel
`assembly 50 and a BASE-8 LC panel assembly 60 that may
`also be utilized in the trays and chassis disclosed herein using
`the same port in the tray, thereby enabling a 24 port MPO
`density in a /3 U tray or LC-LC connectivity in the trays.
`
`

`

`US 2016/0062050 A1
`
`Mar. 3, 2016
`
`0052 FIGS. 3A-3D depict a chassis 300 for receiving and
`Supporting trays.