Managed fiber connectivity systems
View Patent ↗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. A fiber optic connector configured to be received at an optical adapter, the fiber optic connector comprising:
a body configured to surround an optical fiber that extends longitudinally through the body, the body having a cavity accessible through a slot defined in the body, the body including shelves that at least partially define the cavity; and
an RFID tag sealed within the cavity defined in the body, the RFID tag including a transmission member for communicating information from memory to a data management system;
wherein the slot is sized to receive the RFID tag edge-wise, and the RFID tag is seated on the shelves in the cavity.
2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the slot opens from a front of the body.
3. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the slot opens from a rear of the body.
4. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the body includes an outer body slidable relative to an inner body, the inner body holding the optical fiber and the outer body defining a gripping portion.
5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4 , wherein the fiber optic connector includes an SC connector.
6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber is disposed in a ferrule coupled to the body.
7. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , further comprising a plug piece coupled to the body to close the RFID tag within the cavity.
8. The fiber optic connector of claim 7 , wherein the plug piece is welded to the body.
9. The fiber optic connector of claim 7 , wherein the plug piece is glued to the body.
10. The fiber optic connector of claim 7 , wherein the plug piece is overmolded to the body.
11. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the body includes an outer body slidable relative to an inner body, the inner body defining a longitudinally extending gap that aligns with a gap between the shelves.
12. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a latch for securing the fiber optic connector to an adapter.
13. The fiber optic connector of claim 12 , wherein the fiber optic connector includes an LC connector.
14. The fiber optic connector of claim 12 , wherein the body includes a front housing piece and a rear housing piece, the front housing piece including the latch and the rear housing piece defining the slot.
15. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the slot is overmolded shut.
16. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein a boot is mounted to the body to cover the slot.
17. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the body is a single-piece body.