The present invention discloses a fiber optic connector comprises: a ferrule assembly; a spring seat provided behind the ferrule assembly; and a spring provided between the ferrule assembly and the spring seat. The spring seat has a receiving chamber having an insertion port through which a portion of the ferrule assembly is inserted into the receiving chamber; wherein the ferrule assembly is pre-assembled into the receiving chamber of the spring seat in a way that the ferrule assembly is held to be movably engaged with the spring seat. The spring is fitted and compressed in the receiving chamber. As a result, the ferrule assembly, the spring seat and the spring are pre-assembled into an integral assembly before being inserting into a connector housing. All components of the connector except for the housing may be smoothly pulled through a small long pipe as a whole. After being pulled through the pipe, all components of the connector except for the housing may be easily and quickly inserted into the housing as a whole at one time.

Technologies for switching network traffic include a network switch. The network switch includes one or more processors and communication circuitry coupled to the one or more processors. The communication circuitry is capable of switching network traffic of multiple link layer protocols. Additionally, the network switch includes one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed, cause the network switch to receive, with the communication circuitry through an optical connection, network traffic to be forwarded, and determine a link layer protocol of the received network traffic. The instructions additionally cause the network switch to forward the network traffic as a function of the determined link layer protocol. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

The present invention discloses a guide pin, which comprises a base support layer (1) and a protective layer (2). The base support layer (1) is a rod-shaped structure. The protective layer (2) tightly wraps the surface of the base support layer (1). A manufacturing method for the guide pin made of various materials is also disclosed. The guide pin manufactured by the method of the present invention is not prone to bending or deformation and has good corrosion resistance and acid/alkaline resistance properties; it is wear resistant and has of extended service life; it is easy to be processed and is low in cost.

Fiber optic connectors, including SC and MPO connectors that include a strain relief boot operably coupled with a release mechanism for releasing the connector from an adapter or other termination device or receptacle. The strain relief boot can be operably coupled to move axially together with the outer housing of the connector.

A light coupling element including a groove and a light redirecting member is described. The groove is for receiving and aligning an optical waveguide and incudes an open front end and a back end. The light redirecting member includes an input side for receiving light from an optical waveguide received and supported in the groove and a light redirecting side for changing a direction of light received from the input side. The groove may include a bottom surface extending between the front and back ends of the groove and including a raised bottom surface portion raised upwardly relative to an unraised bottom surface portion. The unraised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface may be disposed between the raised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface and the input side of the light redirecting member. Optical coupling assemblies including the light coupling element and an optical waveguide are described.

A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.

A connector assembly includes a connector, an optical waveguide and a circuit board having a through-hole and a transmitter/receiver configured to transmit and/or receive light signals. The connector is interlockingly and releasably connected to the circuit board via a fastening element which is passed through the through-hole and connected to the circuit board. The connector has a receiving chamber which at least partially borders the transmitter/receiver. A lens unit is disposed in the receiving chamber and light-conductively connects the transmitter/receiver to the optical waveguide. A locking element is movably disposed on the connector. The locking element is disposed at least partially within the receiving chamber and secures the lens unit in the receiving chamber. The locking element is movable into a final latched position in which the locking element extends at least partially into the through-hole and blocks release of the fastening element from the circuit board.

A multi-fiber reel and adapter assembly includes a base, a cable reel mounted to the base, and a plurality of adapters fixedly mounted to the base. The cable reel is configured to rotate relative to the base and the adapters, and each of the adapters is configured to couple a fiber optic cable from the cable reel with a fiber optic drop cable that is configured to run from the respective adapter to a location of an end user that is remote from the assembly.

An optical ferrule (200) includes an input surface (10) for receiving and transmitting a central light ray (21) from an optical fiber (20) attached to the optical ferrule. A light redirecting side (30) receives, along a first direction (40), the central light ray (21) transmitted by the input surface (10) and redirects the received light along a different second direction (41). The redirected central light ray (23) exits the optical ferrule through an output surface (50) of the optical ferrule. As the central light ray (21) propagates in the optical ferrule from the input surface (10) to the output surface (50), the central light ray (21) propagates through distinct first and second portions (60,70) of the optical ferrule having different respective first and second compositions.

In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector. Such a feature may actuated by being moved from a first position to a second position relative to the communication connector.