Cable with connector
A cable with a connector includes a plurality of multicore optical fibers and a plurality of connectors attached to ends of the plurality of multicore optical fibers. The connectors are multi-fiber connectors, and a core number density of each of the plurality of connectors is 2 cores/mm 2 or more. The cable further includes a sheath that collectively covers the plurality of multicore optical fibers.
1. A cable with a connector, comprising:
a plurality of multicore optical fibers;
a plurality of multi-fiber connectors attached to ends of the plurality of multicore optical fibers, and
a sheath that collectively covers the plurality of multicore optical fibers,
wherein the plurality of multicore optical fibers includes a first multicore optical fiber, a second multicore optical fiber, and a third multicore optical fiber,
the plurality of multi-fiber connectors includes a first optical connector attached to one end of the first multicore optical fiber, a second optical connector attached to one end of the second multicore optical fiber, and a third optical connector attached to one end of the third multicore optical fiber,
a length of the first connector and a length of the first multicore optical fiber from one end of the sheath to the first connector combined are shorter than a length of the second multicore optical fiber from the one end of the sheath to the second connector,
a core number density of each of the plurality of multi-fiber connectors is 2 cores/mm 2 or more, the core number density of each of the plurality of multi-fiber connectors is defined as a total number of cores in multicore optical fibers of the plurality of multicore optical fibers that a multi-fiber connector of the plurality of multi-fiber connectors is attached to at one end, divided by a cross-sectional area, where the cross-sectional area is an area of the multi-fiber connector perpendicular to the multicore optical fibers of the plurality of multicore optical fibers included in the multi-fiber connector of the plurality of multi-fiber connectors,
a length of the second connector and the length of the second multicore optical fiber from the one end of the sheath to the second connector combined are shorter than a length of the third multicore optical fiber from the one end of the sheath to the third connector, and
the plurality of multi-fiber connectors are arranged at regular intervals in a longitudinal direction of the cable.
2. The cable with a connector according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of connectors are grouped together in a predetermined number to form at least one multiple connector.
3. The cable with a connector according to claim 2 , wherein
the at least one multiple connector includes a first multiple connector and a second multiple connector, and
a length of the multicore optical fiber from the one end of the sheath to the first multiple connector is different from a length of the multicore optical fiber from the one end of the sheath to the second multiple connector.
4. The cable with a connector according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a tensile member embedded in the sheath or a tensile member covered with the sheath together with the plurality of multicore optical fibers; and
a towing tool including:
a housing portion housing the plurality of multicore optical fibers and the plurality of connectors;
a towing portion provided at one end of the housing portion; and
a tensile member gripping portion connected to the towing portion via a tension transmitting member and gripping the tensile member.
5. The cable with a connector according to claim 4 , wherein
a maximum value ID MAX of an inner diameter of the housing portion and a total number N of cores in the cable with a connector satisfy an inequality: (ID MAX /2) 2 ×π/N<0.25 [mm 2 ].
6. The cable with a connector according to claim 4 , wherein
a maximum value of the inner diameter of the housing portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the sheath.
7. The cable with a connector according to claim 4 , wherein
a length L of the housing portion in a longitudinal direction of the cable with a connector and the total number N of cores in the cable with a connector satisfy an inequality: L/N<0.4 [mm].
8. The cable with a connector according to claim 4 , wherein
the housing portion includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion,
the first housing portion houses the plurality of multicore optical fibers in a bent state, and
the second housing portion houses the plurality of multicore optical fibers along the longitudinal direction of the cable with a connector, and houses the plurality of connectors.