Patent Publication Number: US-2019196130-A1

Title: Fiber optic splitter terminal for a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US17/50090, filed on Sep. 5, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Application No. 62/383,756, filed Sep. 6, 2016, both applications being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure generally relates to a fiber optic splitter terminal, and more particularly to a fiber optic splitter terminal for a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network or other network. 
     To provide improved performance to subscribers, communication and data networks are increasingly employing optical fiber. The benefits of optical fiber are well known and include higher signal-to-noise ratios and increased bandwidth. To further improve performance, fiber optic networks are increasingly providing optical fiber connectivity all the way to end subscribers. These initiatives include various fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), and other fiber initiatives (generally described as FTTx). 
     In this regard, conventional fiber optic distribution networks provide optical signals from switching points over a distribution network comprised of fiber optic feeder cables. The optical signals may be carried over the fiber optic feeder cables to local convergence points (LCPs). The LCPs act as consolidation points for splicing and making cross-connections and interconnections, as well as providing locations for couplers and splitters. Fiber optic subscriber cables exit the LCPs to carry optical signals between the fiber optic network and a subscriber&#39;s premises. Typical subscriber premises include single-dwelling units (SDU), multi-dwelling units (MDU), businesses, and/or other facilities or buildings. 
     Conventional fiber optic distribution networks typically employ a centralized-split architecture. In a centralized-split architecture, a fiber optic cable is routed to a relatively large centralized-splitter terminal, which may split the fiber optic cable into as many as thirty-two (32) individual subscriber cables. This architecture requires the individual subscribers to be relatively close together, however, and requires a relatively large fiber optic splitter terminal to accommodate the large number of individual subscriber connections. 
     No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of any cited documents. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure generally relates to a fiber optic splitter terminal, and more particularly to a fiber optic splitter terminal for a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network or other network. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a terminal comprising a terminal enclosure forming an interior compartment having a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment. A fiber optic adapter panel is disposed in the terminal enclosure, with a first side facing the first sub-compartment and a second side facing the second sub-compartment, to separate the interior compartment into two distinct areas. One or more hardened first fiber optic adapters are disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, and a plurality of second fiber optic adapters are also disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel. One or more splitter modules are disposed at least partially in the first sub-compartment. The splitter module comprises a splitter enclosure and a splitter disposed in the splitter enclosure, the splitter having an input leg and a plurality of output legs. The input leg comprises a first optical fiber having a hardened first fiber optic connector configured to be connected to the hardened first fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. Each output leg comprises a second optical fiber having a second fiber optic connector configured to be connected to a respective second fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. 
     One advantage of these and other embodiments is that the fiber optic splits in a fiber optic distribution network may be distributed across several fiber optic splitter terminals located at different locations in the fiber optic distribution network. This allows the fiber optic splitter terminal to be smaller than a conventional centralized-split fiber optic splitter terminal, at least in part because fewer output fiber optic connections are required. The fiber optic splitter terminal may also be smaller because the placement of components within the interior compartment may be optimized. This arrangement also allows easy expandability of the fiber optic splitter terminal, for example, by replacing a single 1×4 splitter module with a 1×8 splitter module, or adding a second 1×4 splitter module. 
     In some embodiments, the first fiber optic adapter may be a hardened first fiber optic adapter for connecting a hardened fiber optic connector for a distribution cable, for example. As used herein, the term “hardened” in relation to a fiber optic adapter and/or fiber optic connector refers to environmentally resistant fiber optic adapters and fiber optic connectors that are configured for use in an outdoor (e.g., OSP) environment, such as, for example, Corning Optical Communications&#39;® OptiTap®, OptiTip®, and FlexNAP™ connectivity solutions. In some embodiments, the splitter module may be partially disposed in the second sub-compartment as well, to conserve space in the first sub-compartment. In some embodiments, the splitter module may be a plurality of splitter modules. The plurality of splitter modules may be stacked with respect to each other in the interior compartment. 
     One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a fiber optic splitter terminal. The fiber optic splitter terminal comprises a terminal enclosure forming an interior compartment having a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment. The fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a fiber optic adapter panel disposed in the terminal enclosure having a first side facing the first sub-compartment and a second side facing the second sub-compartment. The fiber optic adapter panel comprises a hardened first fiber optic adapter disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, the hardened first fiber optic adapter configured to connect to a distribution cable on the second side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The fiber optic adapter panel further comprises a plurality of second fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, each of the plurality of second fiber optic adapters configured to connect to a respective subscriber cable on the second side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a splitter module disposed at least partially in the first sub-compartment. The splitter module comprises a splitter enclosure. The splitter module further comprises a splitter disposed in the splitter enclosure. The splitter comprises an input leg comprising a first optical fiber having a hardened first fiber optic connector configured to connect to the hardened first fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The splitter further comprises a plurality of output legs, each output leg comprising a second optical fiber having a second fiber optic connector configured to connect to a respective second fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. 
     An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to a fiber optic splitter terminal for a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network. The fiber optic splitter terminal comprises a terminal enclosure forming an interior compartment having a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment. The fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a fiber optic adapter panel disposed in the terminal enclosure having a first side facing the first sub-compartment and a second side facing the second sub-compartment. The fiber optic adapter panel comprises a first fiber optic adapter disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, the first fiber optic adapter configured to connect to a distribution cable on the second side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The fiber optic adapter panel further comprises a plurality of second fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, each of the plurality of second fiber optic adapters configured to connect to a respective subscriber cable on the second side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a splitter module disposed at least partially in the first sub-compartment and at least partially in the second sub-compartment. The splitter module comprises a splitter enclosure. The splitter module further comprises a splitter disposed in the splitter enclosure. The splitter comprises an input leg comprising a first optical fiber having a first fiber optic connector configured to connect to the first fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The splitter further comprises a plurality of output legs, each output leg comprising a second optical fiber having a second fiber optic connector configured to connect to a respective second fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. 
     An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to a fiber optic splitter terminal for a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network. The fiber optic splitter terminal comprises a terminal enclosure forming an interior compartment having a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment. The fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a fiber optic adapter panel disposed in the terminal enclosure having a first side facing the first sub-compartment and a second side facing the second sub-compartment. The fiber optic adapter panel comprises a plurality of first fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, each of the plurality of first fiber optic adapters configured to connect to a respective distribution cable on the second side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The fiber optic adapter panel further comprises a plurality of second fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, each of the plurality of second fiber optic adapters configured to connect to a respective subscriber cable on the second side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a plurality of splitter modules disposed at least partially in the first sub-compartment. Each splitter module comprises a splitter enclosure. Each splitter module further comprises a splitter disposed in the splitter enclosure. Each splitter comprises an input leg comprising a first optical fiber having a first fiber optic connector configured to connect to a respective first fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. Each splitter further comprises a plurality of output legs, each output leg comprising a second optical fiber having a second fiber optic connector configured to connect to a respective second fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. The plurality of splitter modules are stacked with respect to each other in the interior compartment. 
     An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network. The fiber optic distribution network comprises a primary distribution cable. The fiber optic distribution network further comprises a first splitter device having an input optically coupled to an end of the primary distribution cable and a plurality of outputs. The fiber optic distribution network further comprises a plurality of secondary distribution cables each having a first end optically coupled to one of the plurality of outputs of the splitter device and a second end having a hardened fiber optic connector. The fiber optic distribution network further comprises a plurality of fiber optic splitter terminals. Each fiber optic splitter terminal comprises a terminal enclosure forming an interior compartment. Each fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a fiber optic adapter panel disposed in the terminal enclosure. Each fiber optic adapter panel comprises a first hardened fiber optic adapter disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, wherein one of the hardened fiber optic connectors of the plurality of secondary distribution cables is connected to the first hardened fiber optic adapter. Each fiber optic adapter panel further comprises a plurality of second fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel. Each fiber optic splitter terminal further comprises a splitter module disposed in the interior compartment. Each splitter module comprises a splitter enclosure. Each splitter module further comprises a splitter disposed in the splitter enclosure. Each splitter comprises an input leg comprising a first optical fiber having a hardened first fiber optic connector connected to the hardened first fiber optic adapter. Each splitter further comprises a plurality of output legs, each output leg comprising a second optical fiber having a second fiber optic connector connected to a respective second fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic distribution network further comprises a plurality of subscriber cables optically connected to each of the plurality of second fiber optic adapters of each of the plurality of fiber optic splitter terminals. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a distributed-split fiber optic network system employing distributed fiber optic splitter terminals, according to one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a fiber optic splitter terminal for use in the distributed-split network system of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a fiber optic splitter terminal illustrates a fiber optic splitter terminal for use in the distributed-split network system of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a fiber optic splitter terminal illustrates a fiber optic splitter terminal for use in the distributed-split network system of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments will be further clarified by the following examples. 
     The disclosure generally relates to a fiber optic splitter terminal, and more particularly to a fiber optic splitter terminal for a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network or other network. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a terminal comprising a terminal enclosure forming an interior compartment having a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment. A fiber optic adapter panel is disposed in the terminal enclosure, with a first side facing the first sub-compartment and a second side facing the second sub-compartment, to separate the interior compartment into two distinct areas. One or more hardened first fiber optic adapters are disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel, and a plurality of second fiber optic adapters are also disposed in the fiber optic adapter panel. One or more splitter modules are disposed at least partially in the first sub-compartment. The splitter module comprises a splitter enclosure and a splitter disposed in the splitter enclosure, the splitter having an input leg and a plurality of output legs. The input leg comprises a first optical fiber having a hardened first fiber optic connector configured to be connected to the hardened first fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. Each output leg comprises a second optical fiber having a second fiber optic connector configured to be connected to a respective second fiber optic adapter on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel. One advantage of these and other embodiments is that the fiber optic splits in a fiber optic distribution network may be distributed across several fiber optic splitter terminals located at different locations in the fiber optic distribution network. This allows the fiber optic splitter terminal to be smaller than a conventional centralized-split fiber optic splitter terminal, because fewer output fiber optic connections are required. The fiber optic splitter terminal may also be smaller because the placement of components within the interior compartment may be optimized. This arrangement also allows easy expandability of the fiber optic splitter terminal, for example, by replacing a single 1×4 splitter module with a 1×8 splitter module, or adding a second 1×4 splitter module. 
     In some embodiments the first fiber optic adapter may be a hardened first fiber optic adapter for connecting a hardened fiber optic connector for a distribution cable, for example. In some embodiments, the splitter module may be partially disposed in the second sub-compartment as well, to conserve space in the first sub-compartment. In some embodiments, the splitter module may be a plurality of splitter modules. The plurality of splitter modules may be stacked with respect to each other in the interior compartment. In addition, while the terminal is described in connection with a distributed-split fiber optic distribution network in examples herein, it is to be understood that the terminal and components thereof may be used in any telecommunications network and is not limited solely to distributed-split fiber optic distribution networks. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. One embodiment of the distributed-split network system is shown in  FIG. 1 , and is designated generally throughout by the reference numeral  10 . 
     In this regard  FIG. 1  illustrates distributed-split network system  10  according to an embodiment. A primary distribution cable  12  is connected to a first splitter  14  that may be located in-line with the primary distribution cable  12  and/or at a utility pole  16 . The first splitter  14  is connected to a plurality of fiber optic splitter terminals  18  via a plurality of secondary distribution cables  20 . Each fiber optic splitter terminal  18  then splits the respective secondary distribution cable  20  into a plurality of subscriber cables  22 , with each subscriber cable associated with a service dwelling  24  or an individual unit within a multiple dwelling unit (MDU)  26 , for example. This allows a single primary distribution cable  12  to service dwellings  24  over a larger area and also to service multiple smaller MDUs  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , detailed views of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  of  FIG. 1  are illustrated according to an embodiment. The fiber optic splitter terminal  18  comprises a terminal enclosure  28  having a terminal door  30  for allowing access to an interior compartment  32  of the terminal enclosure  28 . The interior compartment  32  is divided between a first sub-compartment  34  and a second sub-compartment  36 . At least one fiber optic adapter panel  38  is disposed in the terminal enclosure  28 , with a first side  40  facing the first sub-compartment  34  and a second side  42  facing the second sub-compartment  36 . In this embodiment, the first sub-compartment  34  is at least partially defined by the fiber optic adapter panels  38 , and the second sub-compartment  36  is also at least partially defined by the fiber optic adapter panels  38 , with each of the fiber optic adapter panels  38  functioning as a divider between the first sub-compartment  34  and the second sub-compartment  36 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , one or more hardened first fiber optic adapters  44  are disposed in a first fiber optic adapter panel  38 A and a plurality of second fiber optic adapters  46  are disposed in a second fiber optic adapter panel  38 B. In other embodiments, the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  may include a single fiber optic adapter panel  38  and the one or more hardened first fiber optic adapters  44  and the plurality of second fiber optic adapters  46  are disposed in the single fiber optic adapter panel  38 . In yet other embodiments, the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  may include a plurality of fiber optic adapter panels  38  and the one or more hardened first fiber optic adapters  44  and the plurality of second fiber optic adapters  46  are all disposed in just one fiber optic adapter panel  38  of the plurality of fiber optic adapter panels  38  rather than being located on separate fiber optic adapter panels  38  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     One or more splitter modules  48  are disposed at least partially in the first sub-compartment  34 . In this embodiment, the splitter module  48  is also partially disposed in the second sub-compartment  36 , disposed in a gap between the fiber optic adapter panels  38 , to conserve space in the first sub-compartment  34 . The splitter module  48  comprises a splitter enclosure  50  and a splitter  52  disposed in the splitter enclosure  50 , the splitter  52  having an input leg  54  and a plurality of output legs  56 . In this embodiment, the input leg  54  and output legs  56  are routed into and out of the splitter enclosure  50  through a strain relief boot  57 , and are enclosed and protected within the first sub-compartment  34 . A first optical fiber  58  has a hardened first fiber optic connector  60  connected to the hardened first fiber optic adapter  44  on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel  38 . A plurality of second optical fibers  62  each have a second fiber optic connector  64  connected to a respective second fiber optic adapter  46  on the first side of the fiber optic adapter panel  38 . It should be understood that other types of cables, adapters, and connectors may be used. For example, the second fiber optic adapters  46  could be MPO-type (standard or hardened) adapters. In this example, as fiber counts increase, e.g., to a forty-eight (48) fiber split, an indoor-rated MPO connection may be commercially desirable. 
     In this embodiment, the fiber optic adapter panels  38  form part of a sub-enclosure  66  surrounding the first sub-compartment  34 . The sub-enclosure  66  includes a sub-enclosure door  68  for isolating and selectively accessing the first sub-compartment  34  during installation and servicing. In this embodiment, the sub-enclosure door  68  aligns with the fiber-optic adapter panels  38  when the sub-enclosure door  68  is closed, to further define the sub-enclosure  66 . The sub-enclosure door  68  is open in  FIG. 2A , and the sub-enclosure door  68  is closed in  FIG. 2B . When access to the second sub-compartment  36  does not require access to the first sub-compartment  34 , such as when connecting or changing secondary distribution cables  20  and/or subscriber cables  22  within the fiber optic splitter terminal  18 , the sub-enclosure door  68  can remain closed to restrict access to and protect the components within the first sub-compartment  34 , such as the input leg  54  of the splitter module  48  and the plurality of output legs  56  of the splitter module  48 . In some embodiments, the sub-enclosure  66  or other components may be a selectively removable, modular component, which may be part of a unified product platform with interchangeable components. One advantage of forming these and other components of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  as modular components and/or as part of a unified product platform is that different mechanically isolated components relating to splitting, connectivity, furcation, etc., may be added or removed to the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  in a plug-and-play arrangement. In some embodiments, the sub-enclosure door  68  may include a tab, protrusion, or other feature (not shown) configured to engage the splitter module  48  when the sub-enclosure door  68  is in a closed position. This allows the sub-enclosure door  68  to secure and/or lock the splitter module  48  in place, and may also function to further define and enclose the first sub-compartment  34 . 
     In this embodiment, a plurality of cable management features  70  may be disposed in the first sub-compartment  34  and the second sub-compartment  36 . In this embodiment, the secondary distribution cable  20  is connected to the hardened first fiber optic adapter  44  via another hardened fiber optic connector  72 , and each subscriber cable  22  is connected to a respective second fiber optic adapter  46  by a respective fiber optic connector  74 . In this embodiment, the secondary distribution cable  20  and the subscriber cables  22  may be routed into and out of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  via one or more conduits  75 . The interior compartment  32  may also include one or more strain relief tabs  76  configured to attach to the fiber optic cables  20 ,  22  and/or fiber optic connectors  72 ,  74 , for example. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  of  FIG. 2  with some elements removed, in order to illustrate details of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18 . In this regard, as noted above, the splitter module  48  may include a hardened splitter enclosure  50 , which protects the splitter  52  during installation and servicing of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18 . The hardened splitter enclosure  50  makes the splitter module  48  significantly larger, however. In this embodiment, the hardened splitter enclosure  50  may be located partially within the first sub-compartment  34  and partially within the second sub-compartment  36 . This increases the available space within the first sub-compartment  34  while still allowing the sub-enclosure door  68  to be closed to isolate the first sub-compartment  34 . This arrangement also allows access to the second sub-compartment  36  by an installer or technician, for example, without exposing the components of the splitter  52  to accidental damage, and provides adequate space for routing and storage of optical fibers in both the first sub-compartment  34  and the second sub-compartment  36 . 
     In one embodiment, a capacity of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  may be increased by replacing the modular splitter module  48  and/or by installing additional splitter modules  48 . For example, the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  may be initially installed with a 1×4 splitter module  48  in an MDU  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) to service up to four dwellings in the MDU  26 . As the take rate for fiber optic services increases, the 1×4 splitter module  48  may be replaced with a 1×8 splitter module  48 , with additional second optical fibers  62  optically connected to previously unused second fiber optic adapters  46 . In another embodiment, capacity of the splitter module  48  may by increased by adding additional splitters  52  in the splitter enclosure  50 . 
     In this regard,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  with multiple splitter modules  48  installed. In this embodiment, a first 1×4 splitter module  48 ( 1 ) is positioned between the fiber optic adapter panels  38  against a rear wall  78  of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18 . To increase splitter capacity of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18 , a splitter enclosure  50  of a second 1×4 splitter module  48 ( 2 ) is stacked over the splitter enclosure  50  of the first 1×4 splitter module  48 ( 1 ). In this embodiment, the fiber optic adapter panel  38  includes a pair of hardened first fiber optic adapters  44  in a stacked arrangement. This permits a pair of secondary distribution cables  20  to be optically connected to respective input legs  54  of the respective splitters  52  (not shown). This also permits a single secondary distribution cable  20  to be connected to the first splitter module  48 ( 1 ) at a first time, when the distributed-split fiber optic network  10  is relatively small, and another secondary distribution cable  20  to be connected to the second splitter module  48 ( 2 ) at second time, as the distributed-split fiber optic network  10  grows. In another embodiment, a single secondary distribution cable  20  may be split between the fiber optic adapter panel  38  and the input legs  54  (not shown), to connect to both input legs  54 . 
     In this embodiment, the splitter enclosures  50 ( 1 ),  50 ( 2 ) are shaped to be stackable between the fiber optic adapter panels  38  and may also abut one or more cable management features  70 , such as cable management tab  80  in this embodiment, to retain the splitter enclosures  50 ( 1 ),  50 ( 2 ) in place within the interior compartment  32 . As discussed above, this allows space within the first sub-compartment  34  to be conserved, thereby allowing the overall size of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  to be minimized while continuing to provide protection for the splitters  52  within the splitter modules  48 . 
     One advantage of these and other embodiments of this disclosure is that an outside/inside fiber optic splitter terminal  18  with splitters  52  for smaller MDUs  26  may be provided using a distributed-split architecture. The disclosed embodiments also allow for smaller individual fiber optic splitter terminal  18  footprints, greater scalability at lower cost, and compatibility with outside plant hardened plug-n-play FTTx solutions, such as Corning Optical Communications&#39;® OptiTap®, OptiTip®, and FlexNAP™ connectivity solutions. These solutions may also be integrated with related FTTx features, such as indexing. Unlike conventional centralized-split architectures, which may use larger traditional outside plant (OSP) terminals that may not be aesthetically appealing to the MDU building owners, the smaller fiber optic splitter terminals  18  in the disclosed distributed-split fiber optic networks  10  are small enough to match existing copper-based terminals that may already be present in an MDU  26  installation. 
     These and other embodiments allow a telecommunications service provider to grow a distributed-split fiber optic network, such as the distributed-split fiber optic network  10  of  FIG. 1 , using a flexible, versatile, and user-friendly fiber optic splitter terminal  18 . In some embodiments, the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  may use a form factor similar to industry standard housings, with which installers and technicians may be familiar. The disclosed embodiments also allow the connection of an outside plant, environmentally hardened OptiTap® and/or OptiTip® connector to feed directly to an input leg  54  of a splitter  52  inside the fiber optic splitter terminal  18 . The hardened first fiber optic adapter  44 , which may be a single fiber OptiTap® adapter, can feed the 1×4 or 1×8 splitter module(s)  48 . 
     As discussed above, the ability to change/switch/interchange the splitter module  48  split ratio (from a 1×4 or two 1×4s to a 1×8, or vice versa) allows flexibility for growing and/or modifying the distributed-split fiber optic network  10  design by moving different capacity splitter modules  48  to different locations in the distributed-split fiber optic network  10  as needed. This allows versatility and flexibility in current and future distributed-split fiber optic network  10  designs. The fiber optic splitter terminal  18  also allows re-access to some or all sub-compartments  34 ,  36  of the fiber optic splitter terminal  18  following installation, whereas many conventional sealed terminals do not allow access to the terminals following installation. This permits the distributed-split fiber optic network  10  to adjust, grow, and/or change to accommodate current service needs. For example, the distributed-split fiber optic network  10  architecture also allows for additional layers of splitter modules  48  to be located upstream or downstream, in a daisy-chain configuration of fiber optic splitter terminals  18 , for example, in response to changes in demand for fiber optic service among area service dwellings  24  and/or MDUs  26 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
     Further, as used herein, it is intended that terms “fiber optic cables” and/or “optical fibers” include all types of single mode and multi-mode light waveguides, including one or more optical fibers that may be upcoated, colored, buffered, ribbonized and/or have other organizing or protective structure in a cable such as one or more tubes, strength members, jackets or the like. Likewise, other types of suitable optical fibers include bend-insensitive optical fibers, or any other expedient of a medium for transmitting light signals. An example of a bend-insensitive, or bend resistant, optical fiber is ClearCurve® Multimode fiber commercially available from Corning Incorporated. Suitable fibers of this type are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0166094 and 2009/0169163. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Since modifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.