Subscriber single-mode optical fiber ribbon cable technologies suitable for midspan access

The loop network configuration and high-fiber-count, single-mode optical fiber ribbon cable and jointing technologies which enable a quick response to service demand and offer high reliability in the subscriber network are described. Fiber parameters were chosen for 1.3/1.55- mu m wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission, and a 1000-fiber cable composed of 8-fiber ribbons was developed. A mass-fusion splicing technique and a multifiber connector were developed for the fiber ribbon. These techniques were evaluated by constructing an experimental line. It was found that they are highly suitable for midspan access, which is indispensable for the high-fiber-count loop network.<
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