Abstract:
A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber and two electrical conductors. A mid-span connection point in the fiber optic cable has a configuration for attaching an opto-electronic component to the optical fiber and electrical conductors. At least one RF antenna is also included and is electrically connected to the opto-electronic component. A fiber optic cable assembly includes a plurality of optical fibers and at least two electrical conductors. An opto-electrical transceiver is in optical and electrical communication with the optical fibers and electrical conductors. An RF antenna is also in electrical communication with the opto-electrical transceiver.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to fiber optic cable and a fiber optic cable assembly that provide wireless access to a high speed data network without requiring horizontal wiring (either electrical or optical) and expensive converters for each end user. The fiber optic cable and fiber optic cable assembly allow for the installation of a wireless network, or a portion thereof, based on multiple cells all within a single fiber optic cable. A new multi-connection connector is also disclosed that may be used with the present invention.  
         [0003]     2. Technical Background  
         [0004]     Optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of broadband communications including voice, video, and data transmissions. With this increase in the speed of delivery of these transmissions comes the expectation that these higher speeds will be available at all locations, particularly within a working environment, e.g., an office building. While the technology exists for the higher bandwidth, high bandwidth fiber optic cables are not typically distributed to the end users due to the costs of running optical fibers to each desk and the costs of the optical transmitters and receivers that are required for each end user. Additionally, the current horizontal copper cabling provides adequate bandwidth, but it may not provide adequate bandwidth for much longer. While there are some wireless solutions, they tend to be overwhelmed as the users&#39; needs increase, requiring additional access points and the attendant additional wiring for those access points. Thus, there is a need for a high bandwidth solutions that are easier and less expensive to deploy than optical fibers to each end user or additional horizontal copper cabling.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention is directed in one aspect to fiber optic cable that includes at least one optical fiber disposed within and extending along at least a portion of the fiber optic cable, at least two electrical conductors disposed within and extending along at least a portion of the fiber optic cable, and at least one RF antenna disposed within the fiber optic cable to transmit and receive RF signals.  
         [0006]     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a fiber optic cable that includes at least one optical fiber disposed within and extending along at least a portion of the fiber optic cable, at least two electrical conductors disposed within and extending along at least a portion of the fiber optic cable, and at least one mid-span connection point, the mid-span connection point having a configuration for attaching an opto-electrical component to the at least one optical fiber and the at least two electrical conductors.  
         [0007]     In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a fiber optic cable that includes at least one optical fiber disposed within and extending along at least a portion of the fiber optic cable, at least two electrical conductors disposed within and extending along at least a portion of the fiber optic cable, at least one opto-electrical transceiver in electrical communication with the at least two electrical conductors and in optical communication with the at least one optical fiber, and at least one RF antenna disposed in the cable and in electrical communication with the at least one opto-electrical transceiver to transmit and receive RF signals.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a fiber optic cable assembly that includes a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and at least two electrical conductors, at least one opto-electrical transceiver in electrical communication with the at least two electrical conductors and in optical communication with at least one of the plurality of optical fibers, and at least one RF antenna in electrical communication with the at least one opto-electrical transceiver to transmit and receive RF signals.  
         [0009]     Additional features and advantages of the invention are set out in the detailed description which follows, and in part and are readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.  
         [0010]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present exemplary and explanatory embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fiber optic cable according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of one portion of the fiber optic cable of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of one portion of another embodiment of a fiber optic cable according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross sectional view of the portion of the fiber optic cable of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a portion of another embodiment of a fiber optic cable according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a portion of another embodiment of a fiber optic cable according to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross sectional view of the portion of the portion of the fiber optic cable of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is an end view of a removable transceiver that can be used with the the fiber optic cable of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fiber optic cable assembly according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional view of one portion of the portion of the fiber optic cable assembly of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fiber optic cable assembly according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of one portion of the fiber optic cable assembly of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is an end view of one side of a multi-functional interface that may be used with the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is an end view of another side of a multi-functional interface that mates with the interface of  FIG. 12  and may be used with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever practical, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts or features. One embodiment of a fiber optic cable according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and is designated generally throughout the following detailed description by the reference numeral  100 .  
         [0026]     The fiber optic cable  100  preferably has a length of about 48 meters, but could be as short or as long as appropriate, as detailed below. The fiber optic cable  100  has optical fibers  102  (see  FIG. 3 ) that extend along fiber optic cable  100 . Spaced along fiber optic cable  100  are connection points  104 . The connection points  104  are illustrated to be evenly spaced along fiber optic cable  100  in  FIG. 1 , but they need not be. Additionally, while six connection points  104  are illustrated to be present in  FIG. 1 , more or fewer connection points  104  may be present on the fiber optic cable  100 . As discussed in more detail below, at least one optical fiber  102  is needed for each of the connection points  104  and usually two optical fibers  102  are needed. Thus, the total number of optical fibers  102  that are present in the fiber optic cable  100  depends on the number of connection points  104  and the number of optical fibers  102  that are required at each connection point  104 . Thus, in the event that there are 12 connection points  104  and each connection point  104  required two optical fibers  102 , the fiber optic cable would require 24 optical fibers. Other configurations can be similarly determined.  
         [0027]     While the optical fibers  102  may extend along the entire length of the fiber optic cable  100 , they need not. For example, fiber optic cable  100  has a first end  106  and the optical fiber(s)  102  for the first connection point  104   a  may be shorter than the optical fiber(s)  102  for the last connection point  104   f . Thus, in this instance, since the optical fibers for connection point  104   a  only extends from the endpoint  106  to connection point  104   a , it would not extend to entire length of the fiber optic cable  100 . While all of the optical fibers  102  do not have to run the entire length of the fiber optic cable  100 , but they may extend the length for easier and more convenient manufacturing of the fiber optic cable  100 .  
         [0028]     Preferably, the fiber optic cable  100  also has two low voltage electrical conductors or wires  108  that run its length or, for reasons that will become obvious, to at least the last connection point  104 . The electrical wires  108  are preferably in the same sheath or cable covering  110  as the optical fibers  102 , but need not be. The electrical wires  108  are used to power a transceiver  112  in each of the connection points  104 . The transceiver  112  is a opto-electrical transceiver that sends and receives signals as discussed below and the two electrical wires  108  can power all of the transceivers  112  in the fiber optic cable  100 . The transceiver  112  is preferably a Small Form Factor (SFF) transceiver that is available from a number of manufacturers.  
         [0029]     The fiber optic cable  100  also has at least one RF antenna  114  and more preferably two that are electrically connected to the transceiver  112 . It is through the RF antenna(s)  114  that the transceiver  112 , and the fiber optic cable  100  in general, send to and receive signals from the network.  
         [0030]     The connection point  104  will now be discussed in more detail. The fiber optic cable  100  preferably begins with an appropriate number of optical fibers  102  as discussed above and two electrical wires  108  in one sheath  110 . In a post cabling procedure, the connection points  104  are determined and marked. The connection points  104  may be determined to be a preset distance from the first end  106  with a predetermined distance therebetween or they may be located on a custom or need-based basis. Once the locations are determined, the sheath or covering  110  is opened, creating an opening  116  and the appropriate number of optical fibers  102  (one or two, depending on the need) are extracted as is known in the art. The optical fibers are, in the present embodiment, connected directly to the transceiver  112 . The two electrical wires  108  are also extracted from the fiber optic cable  100  to connect and power the transceiver  112 . As noted above, the two electrical wires  108  are used to power all of the transceivers  112 , so appropriate connections should be made. Finally, at least one and preferably two RF antenna  114  are electrically connected to the transceiver (as is known in the art) for sending and receiving RF signals. The opening  116 , the RF antennas  114 , and the transceiver are then over-molded to encapsulate and secure these elements to the fiber optic cable  100 . While a heavy duty heat-shrink may be used, over-molding the components is preferred. It is also possible to use impact resistant housings or shells as well in place of over-molding the elements.  
         [0031]     The first end  106  of fiber optic cable  100  can then be connected to a network in an appropriate manner and also to a power supply so that the electrical wires  108  can power the transceivers  112 . Once the fiber optic cable  100  is connected to the network, the fiber optic cable  100  can be routed to provide a simple, multi-cell wireless network. As each of the connection points  104  has an opto-electronic transceiver  112  , each of the connection points  104  provides a small wireless access point to the network, without having to wire each work station or desk. As more and more access points are needed, another fiber optic cable  100  may be routed in the appropriate locations in a quick and simple manner—simply running one fiber optic cable that requires connection only at one end.  
         [0032]     Another embodiment of a fiber optic cable  100 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The fiber optic cable  100 ′ is the same as fiber optic cable  100  except that the electrical wires are in a separate sheath or covering  110 ′, which is preferably connected to sheath  110  that houses the optical fibers, but is separable therefrom. It may also be that the two sheaths ( 110 ,  110 ′) are not at all connected and are two complete separate cables or sheaths that are overmolded together (and thus connected to one another) only at the connection points  104 ′.  
         [0033]     Another embodiment of a fiber optical cable  150  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 . As with fiber optic cable  100 , fiber optic cable  150  may be of any length and have an appropriate number of optical fibers  152  for the number of connection points  154  disposed along the fiber optic cable  150 . The fiber optic cable  150  also has at least two electrical conductors  156  to power the transceiver  158 . The connection point  154 , which is similarly over-molded as discussed above, also contains at least one and preferably two RF antennas  160  that are electrically connected to the transceiver  158  for send and receiving RF signals.  
         [0034]     In this embodiment, the opto-electronic transceiver  158  is disposed in an independent module  162 , that can be installed at any time after the fiber optic cable is over-molded with the over-molded portion  164 . The transceiver  158  is inserted into interface  166 , where the opto-electronic transceiver  158  makes electrical contact with the RF antenna(s)  160  and the two electrical conductors  156  as well as an optical connection with the optical fibers  152 . It should be noted that the shape or configuration of the opto-electronic transceiver  158  need not be as illustrated in the figures, but it may have any appropriate configuration or shape. Additionally, the specific connections between the interface  166  and the independent module  162  are also not critical to the invention. The independent module  162  may be inserted prior to installation of the fiber optical cable  150  or once it is installed at a location. Similarly, if there is a problem with the opto-electronic transceiver  158 , it can be easily replaced without having to replace the entire fiber optic cable  150  or to attempt to access the fiber optic cable (as with fiber optic cable  100 ) to repair or replace it.  
         [0035]     As better depicted in  FIG. 7 , the independent module  162  has the opto-electronic transceiver  158  securely retained inside an outer housing  170 . The outer housing  170  preferably has a shroud  172  that rotates relative to the outer housing  170 . The shroud  172  preferably has a threaded portion  174  that engages a complementary threaded portion in interface  166 . To engage the opto-electronic transceiver  158  in the fiber optic cable  150 , the opto-electronic transceiver  158  is aligned with the connections in the interface  166  and the shroud  172  is rotated relative to the housing  170  and the fiber optic cable  150  to secure the opto-electronic transceiver  158  within the interface  166 .  
         [0036]     A fiber optic cable assembly  200  according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The fiber optic cable assembly  200  includes a fiber optic cable  202  and at least one tether  204  that connects a module  206  to the fiber optic cable assembly  200  and a connection point  207 . It should be noted that the fiber optic cable assembly  200 , while called an assembly in this embodiment, only differs from the prior embodiments in that the module  206 , which includes an opto-electronic transceiver  208  and at least one RF antenna  210 , is attached to the fiber optic cable  202  by a tether  204  rather than directly to the cable in an over-molded portion. The fiber optic cable assembly  200  also preferably includes a number of tethers  204  and modules  206  at a number of connection points  207 , rather than just the one that is depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As with the prior embodiments, the number of optical fibers present in the fiber optic cable  202  is related to the number of modules  206  (and opto-electronic transceivers  208 ) present in the assembly  200 .  
         [0037]     The module  206  preferably includes the opto-electronic transceiver  208 , which is attached to the optical fibers in the fiber optic cable by optical fibers  212  in the tether  204 . The optical fibers  212  are preferably spliced onto the optical fibers in the fiber optic cable  202  before the over-molded portion  214  is applied to the fiber optic cable assembly  200 . The optical fibers  212  may be connected to the opto-electronic transceiver  208  in any conventional manner (i.e., spliced, with optical ferrules, or optical connectors). The opto-electronic transceiver  208  is also provided power by connecting the electrical conductors  216  in the tether  204 , which are connected to opto-electronic transceiver  208 , to the electrical conductors in the fiber optic cable  202 .  
         [0038]     RF antenna  210  is electrically connected to the opto-electronic transceiver  208  in a conventional manner, such as by the connection  218  using a coaxial cable and connectors.  
         [0039]     The over-molded portion  214  in this embodiment also preferably provides structural integrity to and seals the fiber optic cable assembly. As was illustrated in the prior embodiments, the over-molded portion secures and protects the connections between the optical fibers in the fiber optic cable  202  and the optical fibers  212  in the tether  204  as well as the connections between the conductors  216  and the conductors in the fiber optic cable  202 . In an alternative embodiment, the RF antenna  210  can be disposed in the over-molded portion  214  rather than in the module  206 . As would be recognized by one of skill in the art, the connection between the opto-electronic transceiver  208  and the RF antenna  210  would also pass through the tether  204 .  
         [0040]     Another embodiment of a fiber optic cable assembly  250  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The fiber optic cable assembly  250  includes a fiber optic cable  252  and at least one tether  254  that connects a module  256  to the fiber optic cable assembly  250 . In this embodiment of the present invention, the module  256  is preferably removable from the tether  254 . The tether  254  preferably has attached at its end  258  a multi-connection connector  260 . The connector  260  preferably allows for the optical fibers and electrical conductors in the tether  254  to be operatively connected to the opto-electronic transceiver (not visible) disposed in module  256 . In the preferred embodiment, the RF antennas (not visible) are preferably disposed in the module  256  with the opto-electrical transceiver. However it is also possible that the RF antenna can be disposed in the over-molded portion  262  rather than in the module  156 . In such an arrangement, connector  260  would also have a connection point to operatively connect the RF antenna in the over-molded portion  262  to the opto-electronic transceiver in the module  256 . It should also be noted that the removable connector could be at the other end  264  of the tether  254 . That is, the connector  260  could be plugged into an interface in the over-molded portion  262  (similar to the interface  164  in  FIG. 5 ) and the tether  254  would connected to the module as illustrated in embodiment in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0041]     It should be noted that the electrical conductors, while being disclosed in the same sheath/cable covering as the optical fibers, may also be in a separate sheath/cover as in  FIG. 4  for any of the embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 12  illustrates one embodiment of a jack  300  for use in a multi-functional interface according to the present invention. The jack  300  preferably has two coaxial connections  302 ,  304 , two optical connections  306 ,  308 , and two electrical connections  310 ,  312 . The jack  300  could be used with the fiber optical cable  150 , as an example, and, further, may be disposed in the interface  166 . The two coaxial connections  302 ,  304  are preferably connected to the RF antennas (e.g.  114 ,  160 ) or any other device that requires connections using coaxial cables and coaxial connections. The two optical connections  306 ,  308  are preferably connected, in one embodiment, to the optical fibers in a fiber optic cable, such as fiber optic cable  150 . In a preferred embodiment, the optical connections  306 ,  308  are preferably optical ferrules having a polished end face. The two electrical connections  310 ,  312  are preferably connections for low voltage power, which in one preferred embodiment provides power to an electronic device, such as the opto-electronic transceiver  158  that is disposed in module  162 . While a specific geometry of the jack  300  is illustrated in  FIG. 12 , any appropriate geometry and/or configuration of the connections is possible and falls within the scope of the present invention. For example, there may be more or fewer connections and the connections may be distributed in a different layout (e.g., the optical connections may be above the coaxial connections). The connections may also be female, male or even hermaphroditic in form.  
         [0043]      FIG. 13  illustrates one embodiment of an plug connector  330  for use in a multi-functional interface and that preferably mates with the jack  300  according to the present invention. The plug connector  330  is illustrated in  FIG. 13  as being used with module  162  of fiber optic cable  150  is but one example. The plug connector  330  preferably has two coaxial connections  332 ,  334 , two optical connections  336 ,  338 , and two electrical connections  340 ,  342 . As with the jack  300  above, the number, location, and form of the connections may be altered for any particular use, but it is preferable that the connections in the plug connector  330  are aligned with and cooperate with the connections in the jack  300 . The connections in plug connector  330  preferably mate with the connections in jack  300  in the following manner: the two optical connections  306 ,  308  are preferably connected to the two optical connections  336 ,  338 , respectively; the two optical connections  306 ,  308  are preferably connected to the two coaxial connections  332 ,  334 , respectively; and the two electrical connections  310 ,  312  are preferably connected to two electrical connections  340 ,  342 , respectively. Not all of the connections need to be active at all times. Naturally, the jack  300  could be disposed in the module  162  and the plug connector  330  could be disposed in the interface  166 , rather than as illustrated in the figures. The jack  300  and the plug connector  330  may also be independent form factors and not associate with any particular element or any of the structures associated with the fiber optic cable of the present invention. While the term “jack” has been used for element  300  and “plug connector” used for element  330 , these terms by themselves are not intended to imply any particular structure, form, or function.  
         [0044]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the fiber optic cable and assembly of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.