An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

An optical transceiver includes a housing, a release component, a bottom cover and a handle. The housing includes a terminal portion and a first engagement component connected to each other. The first engagement component detachably engages a second engagement component of an elastic arm of a cage. The release component is in an accommodation space of the terminal portion. The bottom cover includes a main portion and an elastic component connected to each other. The main portion is fixed to the terminal portion. The elastic component extends from the main portion into the accommodation space and exerts an elastic force on the release component so that the release component is positioned at or moved to an original position. The handle is movably disposed on the terminal portion for pushing the release component so as to detach the second engagement component from the first engagement component.

An automated fiber optic patch-panel/cross-connect system comprised of a stacked arrangement of multiple replaceable modules, including a first multiplicity of fiber modules, each with a second multiplicity of reconfigurable internal fiber connectors; a common robot module shared among fiber modules, wherein any connector within a fiber module in the system can be moved to any other connector of any other fiber module in the system; a power management module that distributes electrical power to the fiber modules and the robot module; and a server module that generates commands that are placed on communication bus to activate robot and fiber modules. The modules are physically separated and spatially arranged to be serviced replaced without interrupting fiber connections previously established in the system.

A lens-based integrated two-dimensional beam steering device comprising a substrate, an input waveguide, a connecting waveguide, a 1N optical switch, an electrical interface for the switch, N output waveguides of the switch, N transmitting units, a lens and a controller. The device of the present invention realizes two-dimensional beam steering and has the characteristics of large power capacity, low control complexity, and low electric power consumption.

Mechanisms and designs of large scale, modular, robotic software-defined patch-panels incorporate numerous features that ensure reliable operation. A telescopic arm assembly (104) with actuated gripper mechanism (103) is used to transport internally latching connectors (101) within a stacked array of translatable rows (102). A unique two-state magnetic latching feature provides reliable, low loss optical connections. Flexible, magnetically levitated internal structures are provided to assist the robot in automatically aligning to, engaging, and disengaging any internal connection in a fast reliable process within the stacked array.

A high-capacity optical fiber switching system enables selective interconnection of individual input fibers to output fibers. A three-dimensional array of paired linear elements with selectable flexibility and length is arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns to form a transverse interchange plane. Each pair consists of a stationary lower element and a movable upper element, the latter holding a terminus of a distinct optical fiber. Couplers placed within this array facilitate signal conductor connections. A transport device with an axially movable gripper moves in horizontal spaces between columns to reposition the movable fiber terminals. Signal-controlled, orthogonal linear drives provide vertical and horizontal movements of the transport device, enabling placement within the fiber array.

Optical bridges including a bridge body configured to be mounted directly or indirectly onto a head-worn device and at least one rail operatively engaged with the bridge body, in which the at least one rail having a first end and a second end. The optical bridges also include a first stopblock located at or proximate to the first end and a second stopblock located at or proximate to the second end. The at least one rail has a first side portion located between the first stopblock and the bridge body and a second side portion located between the second stopblock and the bridge body. Systems including an optical bridge and one or more optical devices directly or indirectly releasably coupled to the optical bridge are also provided.

A fiber optic connector may include a body, at least one input coupling configured to receive at least one fiber optic input cable, at least one output coupling configured to receive at least one fiber optic output cable, and at least one shuttle. The shuttle may be movable within the body between a connected position and a disconnected position, wherein the at least one fiber optic input cable and the at least one fiber optic output cable are optically connected when the at least one shuttle is in the connected position, and wherein the at least one fiber optic input cable and the at least one fiber optic output cable are not optically connected when the at least one shuttle is in the disconnected position.

Optical bridges including a bridge body configured to be mounted directly or indirectly onto a head-worn device and at least one rail operatively engaged with the bridge body, in which the at least one rail having a first end and a second end. The optical bridges also include a first stopblock located at or proximate to the first end and a second stopblock located at or proximate to the second end. The at least one rail has a first side portion located between the first stopblock and the bridge body and a second side portion located between the second stopblock and the bridge body. Systems including an optical bridge and one or more optical devices directly or indirectly releasably coupled to the optical bridge are also provided.