USOO8873922B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Kowalczyk et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,873,922 B2
`Oct. 28, 2014
`
`(54) FAN-OUT AND PARKING MODULE
`(75) Inventors: Scott C. Kowalczyk, Savage, MN (US);
`Joshua M. Simer, Chaska, MN (US);
`Jerad D. Whitaker, Richfield, MN
`(US); Oscar Fernando Bran de León,
`Belle Plaine, MN (US)
`(73) Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.,
`Berwyn, PA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 496 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/331,591
`
`9, 2007 Theuerkorn et al.
`7,264.402 B2
`7.277.620 B2 10/2007 Vongsenget al.
`7,369,741 B2 *
`5/2008 Reagan et al. ................ 385,139
`7,397.997 B2
`7/2008 Ferris et al.
`7,509,016 B2
`3/2009 Smith et al.
`7,512.304 B2
`3/2009 Gronvallet al.
`7,715,679 B2
`5/2010 Kowalczyk et al.
`7,756,379 B2
`7/2010 Kowalczyk et al.
`8,538,228 B2 * 9/2013 Smith et al. ................... 385/135
`8,649,649 B2 * 2/2014 Smith et al. ................... 385, 136
`2011/0222829 A1
`9, 2011 Loeffelholz et al.
`2013/0177284 A1* 7, 2013 Sieverset al. ................. 385/135
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner — Sung Pak
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Merchant & Gould P.C.
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 20, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/O18926O A1
`Jul. 26, 2012
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/425,140, filed on Dec.
`20, 2010.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`GO2B 6/
`GO2B 6/44
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ........................................ G02B 6/44 (2013.01)
`USPC ........................................... 385/135; 385/137
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC .................................................. 385/135, 137
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7,198.409 B2
`7,233,731 B2
`
`4/2007 Smith et al.
`6, 2007 Solheid et al.
`
`
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications appa
`ratus that includes a fan-out module main body adapted for
`connection to a rack. The telecommunications apparatus also
`includes a fan-out block attached to the fan-out module main
`body. The telecommunications apparatus also includes a
`multi-fiber cable segment. The multi-fiber cable segment
`includes first and second strength members. The first and
`second strength members are anchored to the fan-out block.
`The telecommunications apparatus further includes a plural
`ity of pigtail cable segments each including a jacket contain
`ing one of the optical fibers and a plurality of flexible strength
`members positioned inside the jacket. The flexible strength
`members of the pigtail cable segments are anchored to the
`fan-out block, the optical fibers being fanned out from the
`multi-fiber cable segment to the pigtail cable segments within
`the fan-out block. The telecommunications apparatus also
`includes a plurality of single fiber connectors mounted to free
`ends of the pigtail cable segments.
`
`13 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 28, 2014
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`Oct. 28, 2014
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`Oct. 28, 2014
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`Oct. 28, 2014
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`Oct. 28, 2014
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 28, 2014
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`

`1.
`FAN-OUT AND PARKING MODULE
`
`US 8,873,922 B2
`
`2
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector
`having a ferrule on which a dust cap is mounted;
`FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connec
`tor taken along a cross-sectional plane that extends along a
`central longitudinal axis of the fiber optic connector and that
`bisects the fiber optic connector;
`FIGS. 16A and 16B show an another fan-out and parking
`module in accordance with the principles of the present dis
`closure;
`FIG. 17 shows a fan-out module in accordance with the
`principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 18 is another fan-out module in accordance with the
`principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 19 shows a parking module in accordance with the
`principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a another fan-out
`module in accordance with the principles of the present dis
`closure; and
`FIG. 21 is a top view of the fan-out module of FIG. 20.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi
`sional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/425,140, filed Dec. 20.
`2010, which application is hereby incorporated by reference
`in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`A goal of service providers in the telecommunications
`industry is to deliver high bandwidth communication capa
`bilities to customers in a cost effective manner. In general,
`improvements relating to systems for managing cables and
`providing connections between cables/telecommunications
`equipment assist service providers in achieving this goal.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to telecommunica
`tion equipment and arrangements that enhance cable manage
`ment, ease of use, and Scalability. Aspects of the present
`disclosure can be used in fiber-to-the-cell-tower applications
`as well as other FTTX applications (e.g., fiber-to-the-pre
`mises, fiber-to-the-node, etc.).
`A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in
`the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate
`to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to
`be understood that both the forgoing general description and
`the following detailed description are exemplary and
`explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive
`concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are
`based.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`DRAWINGS
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a telecommunica
`tions network having exemplary features of aspects in accor
`dance with the principles of the present disclosure;
`FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a fan-out and parking
`module in accordance with the principles of the present dis
`closure;
`FIG.3 is a rear perspective view of the fan-out and parking
`module of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is a top view of the fan-out and parking module of
`FIG. 2:
`FIG.5 is a front perspective view of the fan-out and parking
`module of FIG. 2 with the fiber optic cable assembly
`removed;
`FIG. 6 is a top view of the fan-out and parking module of
`FIG. 5;
`FIG. 7 is a rear view of the fan-out and parking module of
`55
`FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a front view of the fan-out and parking module of
`FIG. 6;
`FIG. 9 is a side view of the fan-out and parking module of
`FIG. 6;
`FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
`10-10 of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 11 is cross-sectional view taken along section line
`11-11 of FIG. 4;
`FIGS. 12 and 13 show ruggedized multi-fiber optic con
`nectors that can be used in Systems in accordance with the
`principles of the present disclosure;
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary
`aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the
`accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same refer
`ence numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to
`the same or like structure.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of a
`telecommunications network 10 is shown. In the depicted
`embodiment, the telecommunications network 10 is a cellular
`network 10. The cellular network 10 includes a cell site 12, a
`demarcation point 14 (e.g., a splice vault), a backhaul 16 and
`a core network 18.
`The cell site 12 creates an area of telecommunications
`coverage (i.e., a cell) in the cellular network 10. In one
`embodiment, the cell site 12 includes a cell tower or mast 20
`and a but 22 enclosing telecommunications equipment that is
`in communication with the tower 20. For example, the but 22
`can enclose active equipment (e.g., multiplexing devices, de
`multiplexing devices, routers, optical-to-digital converters,
`etc.) that connects to remote transceivers 28 (e.g., remote
`radio heads) mounted on the cell tower 20. The remote trans
`ceivers 28 are adapted to transmit and receive signals to and
`from devices (e.g., mobile phones, Smart-phones, devices
`with wireless internet connectivity, etc.) of subscribers to the
`cellular network 10. In one embodiment, the tower 20 may
`include an antenna or antennas. The remote transceivers 28
`may be integrated into the antenna or antennas.
`Referring to FIG. 1, the but 22 is shown housing an equip
`ment mounting rack 200 and an equipment cabinet 202. The
`active equipment cabinet 202 can house active equipment
`Such as multiplexing devices, de-multiplexing devices, rout
`ers, optical-to-digital converters. The equipment in the cabi
`net 202 connects to the remote transceivers 28. The equip
`ment mounting rack 200 provides a location for mounting
`equipment 300 adapted to interface with cables 204 routed
`from the demarcation point 14 to the but 22. In certain
`embodiments, the rack 200 can include a frame having dif
`ferent widths W (e.g., a “19 inch' rack typically has an 18.31
`center-to-center spacing between fastener openings and a "24
`inch' typically has a 22.31 inch center-to-center spacing
`between fastener openings). The frame can include spaced
`apart vertical mounting rails 203 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) defining
`the fastener openings for mounting equipment to the rack. In
`one embodiment, the cables 204 can include multi-fiber
`cables each including a jacket enclosing a plurality of optical
`fibers. In one embodiment, the cables 204 can be terminated
`
`

`

`US 8,873,922 B2
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`3
`by ruggedized multi-fiber connectors 500a. The equipment
`300 mounted to the rack 200 can include ruggedized multi
`fiber connectors 500b that interconnect with the ruggedized
`multi-fiber connectors 500a. The equipment 300 can also
`include fan-out devices and a plurality offiber optic cords 302
`(e.g., patch cords, connectorized pigtails, etc.) that extend
`from the rack 200 to the cabinet 202.
`In operation of the network, signals are transmitted from
`the core network 18 through the backhaul 16 to the demarca
`tion point 14. From the demarcation point 14, the signals are
`transmitted through the cables 204 to the equipment 300 at the
`rack 200. The fiber optic cords 302 carry the signals from the
`rack 200 to the equipment in the cabinet 202. The signals are
`then directed from the equipment in the cabinet 202 to the
`remote transceivers 28 which transmit the signals to subscrib
`ers of the cellular network. The transceivers 28 are also
`capable of receiving signals from the Subscribers. The
`received signals are directed to the equipment of the cabinet
`202. The fiber optic cords 302 carry the signals from the
`cabinet 202 to the equipment 300 at the rack 200. The cables
`204 then carry the signals from the rack 200 to the demarca
`tion point 14. The signals are Subsequently carried through
`the backhaul 16 to the core network 18.
`FIGS. 2-9 show a fan-out and parking module 300a that is
`an example of the type of equipment 300 that can be mounted
`on the rack 200. In the depicted embodiment, the fan-out and
`parking module 300a is be configured to occupy only one
`rack unit of the rack 200 and has a heighth less than or equal
`to 1.75 inches. The fan-out and parking module 300a includes
`a module main body 302 which also can be referred to as a
`frame, Support structure, member, or like terms. The module
`main body 302 is secured to the rack 200 by universal brack
`ets 304 fastened to opposite ends 312,314 of the module main
`body 302. Each of the universal brackets 304 includes a long
`leg 306 arranged perpendicularly relative to a short leg 308.
`Fastener openings 310 are defined by the long and short legs
`306, 308. The fastener openings 310 are adapted to receive
`fasteners for attaching the legs 306, 308 to either the module
`main body 302 or the rails 203 of the rack 200. By attaching
`the long legs 306 to the module main body 302 as shown, the
`fan-out and parking module 300a can be connected to a
`standard 19 inch rack by fastening the short legs 308 to the
`rails 203. In contrast, the fan-out and parking module 300a
`can be attached to a standard 23 inch rack by attaching the
`short legs 308 to the module main body 302 and the long legs
`306 to the rails 203 of the rack 200.
`Referring still to FIGS. 2-9, the module main body 302
`includes a front panel 316 having a length L that extends
`between the opposite ends 312,314 of the module main body
`302. When the fan-out and parking module 300a is mounted
`to the rack 200, the length Lextends across the width W of the
`rack 200. The front panel 316 has a front side 318 positioned
`opposite from a back side 320. One or more fan-out blocks
`322 are mounted to the module main body 302 at a location
`behind the back side 320 of the front panel 316. One or more
`parking blocks 324 are mounted to the front side 318 of the
`front panel 316. The parking blocks 324 can also be referred
`to as connector storage sub-modules. The fan-out blocks 322
`and the parking blocks 324 are adapted to support and manage
`various portions of a fiber optic cable assembly 326. The fiber
`optic cable assembly 326 includes a first end 328 having the
`ruggedized multi-fiber connector 500b (e.g., a 12 fiber con
`nector) and a second end 330 having a plurality of single fiber
`connectors 332 that are managed/stored at the parking blocks
`324. The fiber optic cable assembly 326 also includes a seg
`ment of ruggedized cable 334 that extends from the rugge
`dized multi-fiber connector 500b to the fan-out block 322.
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`The fiber optic cable assembly 326 further includes a plurality
`(e.g., twelve) of segments of pigtail cable 336 that extend
`from the fan-out blocks 322 to the single fiberconnectors 332.
`The fiber optic cable assembly 326 additionally includes a
`plurality of separate optical fibers 511 that extend continu
`ously in an uninterrupted manner from multi-fiber connector
`500b, through the segment of ruggedized cable 334, the fan
`out block 322 and the segments of pigtail cable 336 to the
`single fiber connectors 332.
`The multi-fiber connectors 500a, 500b are shown at FIGS.
`12 and 13. The connector 500a can be sized and shaped to
`interface with the second connector 500b without an interme
`diate fiber optic adapter. For example, the first connector 500a
`can define a plug and the second example connector 500b can
`define a receptacle that is configured to receive the plug. In
`Some implementations, the plug and receptacle are threaded
`together. In accordance with other aspects of the present
`disclosure, other types of connectors (e.g., non-ruggedized
`MPO/MFC connectors could be used).
`The connector plug 500a includes a ferrule 510 at which
`one or more optical fibers 511 of the cable 204 are terminated.
`In some implementations, the ferrule 510 terminates multiple
`(e.g., two, eight, twelve, sixteen, twenty-four, forty-eight,
`seventy-two, etc.) optical fibers 511. In the example shown,
`the ferrule 510 terminates twelve optical fibers 511. The
`ferrule 510 defines keying openings 512 at either side of the
`optical fibers 511. The ferrule 510 is enclosed within a shroud
`514 that defines keying and latching features. The shroud 514
`and ferrule 510 extend forwardly of a connector base 515. The
`shroud 514 extends beyond the ferrule 510. The shroud 514
`defines a first keying channel 520 and a second keying chan
`nel 522 above and below the ferrule 510, respectively.
`The connector receptacle 500b also includes a ferrule 510'
`at which one or more of the optical fibers 511 of the fiber
`optic cable assembly 326 are terminated. In some implemen
`tations, the ferrule 510' terminates multiple (e.g., two, eight,
`twelve, sixteen, twenty-four, forty-eight, seventy-two, etc.)
`optical fibers 511. In the example shown, the ferrule 510'
`terminates twelve optical fibers 511'. The ferrule 510' defines
`keying projections 512'at either side of the optical fibers 511'.
`The projections 512' are configured to be inserted into the
`keying openings 512 of the plug ferrule 510 to facilitate
`alignment of the ferrules 510,510'.
`The receptacle ferrule 510' is enclosed within a connector
`body 515" defines a cavity 514 that is sized and shaped to
`receive the shroud 514 of the plug 500. The connector base
`515 is configured to surround the shroud 514. In some
`embodiments, the connector base 515' latches, screws, or
`otherwise secures to the shroud514 to retain the plug 500 and
`the receptacle 500' in a mated configuration. A first keying
`projection 520' and a second keying projection 522 are posi
`tioned within the cavity 514 above and below the ferrule 510'.
`respectively. In some implementations, the first and second
`keying projections 520', 522 have different shapes and/or
`sizes to facilitate finding the correct orientation of the plug
`and receptacle.
`In some implementations, the connectors 500a, 500b
`include an environmental seal when interfaced together to
`protect the ferrules 511, 511" from dust, dirt, or other con
`taminants. In some implementations, an environmental dust
`cap can be mounted to the connectors 500a, 500b to protect
`the ferrules 511, 511 prior to deployment of the connectors
`500a, 500b. In other embodiments, the connector 500a can be
`mounted to the fiber optic cable assembly 326 and the con
`nector 500b can be mounted to the cable 204.
`Additional details regarding the example connector plug
`500a and receptacle 500b can be found in U.S. Pat. No.
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`5
`7.264,402 to Theuerkorn et al., issued Sep. 4, 2007, and titled
`Multi-fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly, the disclosure
`of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
`FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross
`section line cut through the segment of ruggedized cable 334.
`The ruggedized cable 334 includes an outerjacket 350 having
`a flattened configuration. The profile of the outer jacket 350
`(shown at FIG. 10) defines a major axis A1 and a minor axis
`A2. The profile of the outerjacket 350 has a dimension d1 that
`extends along the major axis A1 and a dimension d2 that
`extends along the minor axis A2. The dimension d1 is larger
`than the dimension d2 Such that the profile is elongated along
`the major axis A1. The ruggedized cable 334 includes a cen
`tral buffer tube 352 containing the optical fibers 511'. The
`ruggedized cable 334 also includes reinforcing members 354
`positioned on the major axis A1 on opposite sides of the buffer
`tube 352. In one embodiment, the reinforcing members 354
`are reinforcing rods including fiber glass embedded in an
`epoxy matrix. First ends of the reinforcing members 354 are
`anchored (e.g., adhesively bonded, crimped, etc.) to the hous
`ing of the connector 500b and opposite second ends of the
`reinforcing members 354 are anchored (e.g., adhesively
`bonded, crimped, etc.) to one of the fan-out block 322.
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross
`section line cut through one of the segments of pigtail cable
`336. The pigtail cable 336 includes an outerjacket360 having
`a round configuration. In one embodiment, the outer jacket
`360 has an outer diameter less than or equal to 2 millimeters.
`The pigtail cable 336 also includes an optional buffer tube
`362 (e.g., a loose or tight 900 micron diameter buffer tube)
`containing one of the optical fibers 511'. A layer of flexible
`strength members 364 (e.g., aramid yarn) is provided
`between the buffer tube 362 and the outer jacket 360. First
`ends of the strength members 364 are anchored (e.g., adhe
`sively bonded, crimped, etc.) to one of the fan-out blocks 322
`and second ends of the strength members 364 are anchored
`(e.g., adhesively bonded, crimped, etc.) to the housing of the
`corresponding single fiber connector 332.
`The fan-out blocks 322 are mounted (e.g., attached with
`fasteners or other means) to the module main body 302. The
`fan-out block 322 functions to anchor the second end of the
`ruggedized cable 334 and the first ends of the pigtail cables
`336 to the module main body 302. The fan-out block 322 also
`functions to fan-out (e.g., guide, direct, separate, etc.) the
`fibers 511" from the buffer tube of the ruggedized cable 334 to
`the individual pigtail cables 336.
`Referring back to FIGS. 2-4, the front panel 316 of the
`module main body 302 defines one or more cable pass
`through openings 370 that extends through the front panel
`316 in a back-to-front direction. One or more strain relief
`boots 372 are mounted to the front side 318 of the front panel
`316. The boots 372 project forwardly from the front side 318
`of the front panel 316 and each include a passage 374 that
`aligns with a corresponding one of the cable pass-through
`openings 370. The pigtail cables 336 are routed forwardly
`from the fan-out blocks 322 through the cable pass-through
`openings 370 and the boots 372 to the front of the front panel
`316. The pigtail cables 336 are then routed to the parking
`blocks 324 at the front side of the front panel 316 where the
`single fiber connectors 332 are held. Each boot 372 receives
`a plurality of the pigtail cables 336 and has a flexible configu
`ration adapted for distributing side loading across an
`extended length to protect the fibers 511" from being bent to
`sharply when the pigtail cables 336 are pulled downwardly,
`upwardly or laterally relative to the module main body 302.
`FIGS. 14 and 15 show one of the single fiber connectors
`332 which is depicted as a standard SC style connector. The
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`US 8,873,922 B2
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`single fiber connector 332 includes an inner housing 380
`Supporting a cylindrical ferrule 382 Supporting the end of one
`of the fibers 511'. The ferrule defines an axis 384 and is
`movable relative the inner housing 380 along the axis 384.
`The ferrule 382 is spring biased relative to the inner housing
`380 toward an outer axial position. The single fiber connector
`332 also includes an outer release sleeve 386 (e.g., a grip
`housing) that is mounted over the inner housing 380. The
`outer release sleeve 386 is moveable relative to the inner
`housing 380 along the axis 384 and is pulled back relative to
`the inner housing 380 to release the connector 332 from a
`standard SC fiber optic adapter.
`When the connector 332 is not in use, a polished end face
`of the ferrule 382 is preferably protected by a dust cap 388.
`The dust cap 388 is generally cylindrical and includes an open
`end 389 positioned opposite from a closed end 390. The open
`end 389 fits over the ferrule 382 such that an endportion of the
`ferrule is received within the dust cap 388 with the polished
`end face opposing the closed end 390 of the dust cap 388. The
`dust cap 388 is secured to the ferrule 382 by a friction fit with
`an inner Surface of the dust cap 388 engaging a circumference
`of the ferrule 382 such that a circumferential seal is formed
`between the ferrule 382 and a side wall of the dust cap 388.
`The parking blocks 324 can be secured to the front panel
`316 by releasable connections that allow the parking blocks to
`easily be connected and disconnected from the front panel
`316 while the connectors 332 are concurrently held by the
`connector blocks 324. In the depicted embodiment, the park
`ing blocks 324 can be connected to the front panel 316 by
`Snap-fit connections. For example, the parking blockS324 can
`include latches and/or tabs that Snap within corresponding
`openings defined by the front panel 316. Example parking
`systems suitable for use in the system disclosed herein are
`disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,198,409; 7,277,620; and 7,233,
`731, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
`entireties.
`The parking blocks 324 each include a plurality of connec
`tor holders 400 each adapted for holding one of the fiber optic
`connectors 332. In a preferred embodiment, the dust caps 388
`remain on the ferrules 382 of the connectors 332 while the
`connectors are being held by the connector holders 400. In a
`preferred embodiment, the connector holders 400 are not
`fiber optic adapters and are not capable of optically connect
`ing two of the fiber optic connectors 332 together. As shown
`at FIG. 2, the connector holders 400 hold the connectors 332
`such that boots of the connectors 332 project outwardly from
`the front panel 316 at least partially in a forward direction. In
`one embodiment, the connector holders 400 hold the connec
`tors 332 with their axes 384 horizontal and perpendicular to
`the front panel 316.
`In use of the fan-out and parking module 300a, the module
`300a is mounted to the rack 200 with the connectors 332
`stored in the parking blocks 324. The connector 500b is
`connected to the connector 500a so that the optical fibers 511
`of the fiber optic cable assembly 326 are place in communi
`cation with the backhaul. To add a subscriber to the network,
`one of the connectors 332 is removed from its corresponding
`parking block 324 and the corresponding segment of pigtail
`cable 336 is routed from the rack 200 to the cabinet 202. At the
`cabinet 202, the dust cap 388 is removed from the ferrule of
`the connector 332 and the connector is connected to a piece of
`equipment (e.g., a multiplexer) on at the cabinet 202. In a
`preferred embodiment, the segments of pigtail cable 336 are
`long enough to be routed from the rack 200 to the cabinet 202
`without needing any intermediate patch cords. To disconnect
`a subscriber from the network, the connector 332 correspond
`ing to the subscriber's line can be disconnected from the
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`7
`equipment at the cabinet 202. After the connector 332 has
`been disconnected from the equipment, the dust cap 388 can
`be returned to the ferrule and the connector can be plugged
`back into one of the parking blocks 324 at the fan-out and
`parking module 300a.
`FIGS. 16A and 16B shows an alternative fan-out and park
`ing module 300b in accordance with the principles of the
`present disclosure. Similar to the fan-out and parking module
`300a, the fan-out and parking module 300b includes the fan
`out blocks 322, the parking blocks 324 and the fiber optic
`cable assembly 326 including the multi-fiber connector 500b
`at one end and a plurality of single fiber connectors 332 at the
`opposite end. The fan-out and parking module 300b includes
`a module main body 302 having a U-shaped channel for
`receiving the fan-out blocks 322. The blocks 322 are mounted
`in a stacked configuration on a base of the U-shaped channel.
`A front panel projects laterally outwardly from the U-shaped
`channel. The parking blocks 324 are mounted to a front side
`of the front panel.
`FIGS. 17-19 show another fan-out and parking system 600
`in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
`The system 600 includes a fan-out module 602 (FIG. 17 or 18)
`that is used in combination with a separate parking module
`604 (FIG. 19). The fan-out module 602 and the parking mod
`ule 604 are both adapted for connection to a rack 200 and
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`preferably have a height less than or equal to one rack unit.
`The fan-out module 602 includes a main module body 606 in
`the form of a channel member 608 having a U-shaped trans
`verse cross-sectional shape. A width of the fan-out module is
`less than the width W of the rack 200. The channel member
`608 includes a base portion 610 and two opposing leg por
`tions 612. One of the universal brackets 304 can be selectively
`attached to either of the leg portions 612 depending upon
`which side of the rack it is desired to mount the fan-out
`module 602. In alternative embodiments, universal brackets
`304 can be attached to both leg portions 612 (see FIG. 18).
`One of the fan-out blocks 622 is fastened to the base portion
`610 thereby mechanically coupling the fiber optic cable
`assembly 326 to the main module body 606. By fastening the
`main module body 606 to one of the rails of the rack 200 via
`the universal bracket 304, the fan-out module 602 can be used
`to mount/secure the fiber optic cable assembly 326 to the rack
`2OO.
`The parking module 604 includes a main module body 616
`in the form of a channel member 618 having a U-shaped
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`transverse cross-sectional shape. A width of the fan-out mod
`ule is less than the width W of the rack 200. The channel
`member 618 includes a base portion 620 and two opposing
`leg portions 622. One of the universal brackets 304 can be
`selectively attached to either of the leg portions 622 depend
`ing upon which side of the rack it is d