Managed fiber connectivity systems
View Patent ↗A communications connection system includes a fiber optic connector including a storage device having memory configured to store physical layer information. The storage device also includes at least one contact member that is electrically connected to the memory. Certain types of fiber optic connectors have the storage device mounted to a key of the fiber optic connector. Certain types of fiber optic connectors have the storage device mounted in a cavity defined in the fiber optic connector.
1. A fiber optic connector comprising:
a connector body configured to terminate at least one optical fiber, the connector body defining a key area; and
a storage device mounted to the connector body at the key area, the storage device including memory configured to store physical layer information, the storage device also including at least one contact member that is electrically connected to the memory, the storage device including at least three contact members, and the contact members of the storage device having at least two different lengths.
2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the storage device is mounted within a cavity defined in the key area.
3. The fiber optic connector of claim 2 , wherein the contact member is flush with a top of the key area when the storage device is mounted in the cavity.
4. The fiber optic connector of claim 2 , wherein the cavity includes an outer ledge on which the storage device seats.
5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4 , wherein the ledge is contoured to increase surface area of the ledge.
6. The fiber optic connector of claim 4 , wherein the storage device includes a printed circuit board, wherein the memory is positioned at a first side of the printed circuit board and the contact member is positioned at a second side of the printed circuit board.
7. The fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the memory is an EEPROM chip that is accommodated within the cavity.
8. The fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein a plurality of contact members are provided at the second side of the printed circuit board, each contact member being electrically connected to the memory.
9. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the storage device extends through a front edge of the key area.
10. The fiber optic connector of claim 9 , wherein the contact member curves over the front edge of the key area.
11. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes four contact members.
12. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the contact members of the storage device are staggered.
13. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the contact members of the storage device extend in parallel strips.
14. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body defines an LC connector.
15. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body defines an MPO connector that is configured to terminate a plurality of optical fibers.
16. A connectorized optical fiber comprising:
an optical fiber having a first end;
a ferrule coupled to the first end of the optical fiber;
a connector body housing the ferrule, the connector body defining a key area; and
a storage device mounted to the connector body at the key area, the storage device including memory configured to store physical layer information pertaining to the connectorized optical fiber, the storage device also including a plurality of contact members that are electrically connected to the memory, the contact members of the storage device having at least two different lengths.
17. The connectorized optical fiber of claim 16 , wherein the key area of the connector body defines a cavity and wherein the storage device is mounted within the cavity with the contact members facing outwardly from the key area.
18. The connectorized optical fiber of claim 17 , wherein the cavity has an open top through which the contact members are accessible.
19. A fiber optic connector comprising:
a connector body configured to terminate at least one optical fiber, the connector body defining an opening leading to a cavity having an open top defined in the connector body; and
a storage device positioned in the cavity defined in the connector body, the storage device including memory circuitry facing an interior of the cavity, the storage device also including a plurality of contact members at the open top of the cavity, the contact members being electrically connected to the memory circuitry, the contact members of the storage device having at least two different lengths.
20. The fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the contact members are about flush with an external surface of the connector body when the storage device is mounted in the cavity.
21. The fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the storage device includes a printed circuit board, and wherein the memory circuitry is positioned at a first side of the printed circuit board and the contact members are positioned at a second side of the printed circuit board.
22. The fiber optic connector of claim 21 , wherein the cavity includes an outer ledge on which the first side of the printed circuit board seats.
23. The fiber optic connector of claim 22 , wherein the outer ledge is contoured to increase surface area of the outer ledge.
24. The fiber optic connector of claim 21 , wherein the memory circuitry is an EEPROM chip.
25. The fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the storage device includes at least three contact members.
26. The fiber optic connector of claim 25 , wherein the storage device includes four contact members.
27. The fiber optic connector of claim 25 , wherein at least portions of the contact members of the storage device extend in parallel strips.
28. The fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the contact members of the storage device are staggered.
29. The fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the connector body defines an LC connector.
30. The fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the connector body defines an MPO connector that is configured to terminate a plurality of optical fibers.
31. A connectorized optical fiber comprising:
an optical fiber having a first end;
a ferrule coupled to the first end of the optical fiber;
a connector body housing the ferrule, the connector body defining an open cavity; and
a storage device positioned in the cavity of the connector body, the storage device including memory configured to store physical layer information pertaining to the connectorized optical fiber, the storage device also including a plurality of contact members that are electrically connected to the memory, the contact members of the storage device having at least two different lengths.
32. The fiber optic connector of claim 31 , wherein the storage device includes a printed circuit board, and wherein the memory circuitry is positioned at a first side of the printed circuit board and the contact members are positioned at a second side of the printed circuit board, the first side of the printed circuit board facing inwardly towards the cavity and the second side of the printed circuit board facing outwardly away from the cavity.
33. The fiber optic connector of claim 31 , wherein the storage device includes at least three contact members.
34. The fiber optic connector of claim 31 , wherein the storage device includes four contact members.
35. The fiber optic connector of claim 31 , wherein the connector body is coupled to a second connector body using a non-removable clip to form a duplex connector arrangement.