Patent ID: 6816642
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical communication system, comprising:a first optical communication module having a plurality of at least three fiber optic ports, said plurality of fiber optic ports being configured as an array, at least a first one of said plurality of fiber optic ports being signal-independent and configured to be operable using a different standard from at least a second one of said fiber optic ports; a plurality of at least three separate second optical communication modules, each of said second modules having at lest one fiber optic port; a plurality of fiber optic conductors each having a first end and a second end providing an optical communication path therebetween, each of said plurality of fiber optic conductors being coupled at its first end to one of said plurality of fiber optic ports in said first module, said first ends of said plurality of fiber optic conductors being disposed in said adjacent parallel relationship at said plurality of fiber optic ports in said first module; wherein said first end of a first one of said fiber optic conductors is coupled to said first one of said plurality of fiber optic ports in said first module to form a first signal-independent optical communication path, and wherein said first end of a second one of said plurality of fiber optic conductors is coupled to said second one of said plurality of fiber optic ports in said first module to form a second signal independent optical communication path; wherein said second end of said first fiber optic conductor is coupled to a fiber optic port of a first one of said plurality of second communication modules to form said first signal-independent optical communication path between said first communication module and said first one of said second communication module; wherein said second end of said second fiber optic conductor is coupled to a fiber optic port of a second one of said plurality of second communication modules to form said second signal-independent optical communication path between said first communication module and said one of said second communication modules, said first and second second communication modules being located remote from one another.