Patent ID: 7156561

Claim:
A WDM optical communication system, comprising: a plurality of network nodes; at least one optical communication link interconnecting said nodes; a multifiber optical fiber connector optically coupling said communication link to one of said nodes, said multifiber optical fiber connector including: a first connector plug that includes: a first housing through which extends a cable containing at least one optical fiber; a first ferrule supported by said first housing for receiving said at least one optical fiber, said ferrule having a mating facet and an opposing rear facet located in said first housing, said first ferrule having at least one guide pin thru-hole and at least one optical fiber thru-hole extending between the mating facet and the opposing rear facet, said guide pin thru-hole having an opening portion extending inward from the mating facet, said opening portion being tapered to meet the mating facet in an oblique manner such that said opening portion has a diameter in the mating facet that is greater than a diameter of a remainder of the guide pin thru-hole; a second connector plug for mating with the first connector plug, said second connector plug including: a second housing through which extends a cable containing at least one optical fiber; a second ferrule supported by said second housing for receiving a second plurality of optical fibers, said ferrule having a mating facet and an opposing rear facet located in said second housing, said ferrule having at least one guide pin receptacle and at least one optical fiber thru-hole extending between the mating facet and the opposing rear facet; a guide pin secured in said guide pin receptacle.