High fiber count undersea cable

Abstract

To provide a high fiber count undersea cable.SOLUTION: In some embodiments, an optical cable includes a hollow buffer tube having a plurality of optical fibers, where the hollow buffer tube includes inner and outer buffer surfaces, and where the outer buffer surface of the hollow buffer tube defines an outer diameter. The optical cable may further include a first plurality of laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tube, and a conductor surrounding the first plurality of laminate strength members. The optical cable may further include an outer jacket surrounding the conductor, where the outer jacket includes inner and outer jacket surfaces, where the outer jacket surface defines an outer diameter of the outer jacket, and where the outer diameter of the outer jacket is equal to or less than five times the outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of optical communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an improved submarine fiber optic communication cable configured to support or contain a greater number of optical fibers than the number of optical fibers in a conventional submarine cable of the same or similar size. [Background technology]

[0002] Communication systems employing optical fiber as a transmission medium have become commonplace due to its wide bandwidth, relatively low optical loss, and the development of optical amplifiers, which convert and amplify optical signals into the electrical domain. Because of the fragility of optical fiber, its diameter can be reduced to as small as 200 μm, allowing optical fibers to be physically protected from external forces by cables.

[0003] The cable construction and design may vary depending on the particular application in which the optical cable is used. For example, in a loose-tube construction, buffer tubes containing the optical fibers may be positioned around a central strength member. In a single-tube construction, all optical fibers may be individually housed within a centrally located buffer tube, which may be gel-filled. Different cable constructions or designs may include additional protection such as support members, power connectors, plastic electrical insulation, corrugated exteriors, protective metal sheaths, plastic sheaths, and armored wire.

[0004] The support members support most of the tension applied to the cable during installation and subsequent operation. The support members can be arranged in a variety of configurations. For example, two strength members can be employed, which may be spaced 180 degrees from each other and fitted into the outer jacket. Another configuration may employ concentric support members evenly distributed 360 degrees. These configurations are typically used for terrestrial applications.

[0005] When designing a cable for undersea use, many environmental factors may need to be overcome, such as low temperatures, high compressive hydrostatic pressure, the corrosive effects of seawater, etc. Submarine cables must also withstand large tensile and bending stresses that occur during cable installation and recovery operations. Therefore, compared to terrestrial cables, submarine cables in undersea applications typically require additional strength members. In these applications, one or more layers of support members are provided around the buffer tubes in a densely packed configuration.

[0006] In loose-tube and single-tube designs, for example, the buffer tubes may be the primary structure protecting the optical fiber from water and physical damage. Surrounding strength members may form a dome around the buffer tubes, which in turn protect the buffer tubes from external forces such as hydrostatic pressure and compressive loads from other external erosions in the field. By limiting the mechanical strain experienced by the buffer tubes and the optical fiber therein, the strength members may further protect against high tensile loads during installation and recovery.

[0007] As the bandwidth needs of communication systems increase, cables must support or contain an increasing number of optical fibers. However, typical or conventional cable designs typically support a maximum of 74 or fewer optical fibers. Simply expanding the size of conventional cable designs to accommodate more optical fibers makes the cables heavier, significantly increasing not only the cost of the cable itself, but also the installation and / or operation costs due to the increased volume and weight of the cable, which increases ship loads and ship transit times.

[0008] The present disclosure is provided in response to these and other shortcomings of the current art. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the subject matter sought to be protected, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the subject matter sought to be protected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one method, an optical cable may include a hollow buffer tube having a plurality of optical fibers, the hollow buffer tube including an inner buffer surface and an outer buffer surface, the outer buffer surface of the hollow buffer tube defining an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube. The optical cable may further include a plurality of first laminated strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tube and a conductor surrounding the plurality of first laminated strength members. The optical cable may further include an outer jacket surrounding the conductor, the outer jacket including an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface, the outer jacket surface defining an outer diameter of the outer jacket, the outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube being no greater than five times the outer diameter of the outer jacket.

[0011] In another method, an optical communication system includes a set of terminals and a pair of unidirectional optical paths, each of the pair of unidirectional optical paths including an optical cable. The optical cable may include hollow buffer tubes having a plurality of optical fibers, the hollow buffer tubes including an inner buffer surface and an outer buffer surface, the outer buffer surface of the hollow buffer tube defining an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube. The optical cable may include a plurality of first laminated strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes, conductors surrounding the plurality of first laminated strength members, and an outer jacket surrounding the conductors, the outer jacket including an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface, the outer jacket surface defining an outer diameter of the outer jacket, the outer diameter of the hollow buffer tubes being no greater than five times the outer diameter of the outer jacket.

[0012] In yet another approach, an underwater optical cable may include a hollow buffer tube carrying a plurality of optical fibers, the hollow buffer tube including an inner buffer surface and an outer buffer surface, the outer buffer surface of the hollow buffer tube defining an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube. The optical cable may further include a plurality of first laminated strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tube and a conductor surrounding the plurality of first laminated strength members. The optical cable may further include an outer jacket closely surrounding the conductor, the outer jacket including an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface, the outer jacket surface defining an outer diameter of the outer jacket, the outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube being no greater than five times the outer diameter of the outer jacket. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] By way of example, embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary optical communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an exemplary high fiber count submarine cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary high fiber count submarine cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] The drawings are not necessarily made to scale. The drawings are for representation purposes only and are not intended to describe specific parameters of the present disclosure. The drawings are intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting in scope. Like numbers in the drawings represent like components.

[0016] Also, for clarity, some components in some figures may be omitted or not drawn to scale. Cross-sectional views may be in the form of "slice" cross-sections or "close-up" cross-sections, and for clarity, some background lines visible in "real" cross-sections are omitted. Also, for clarity, some reference numerals may be omitted in some figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The cables, systems, and methods according to the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. The cables, systems, and / or methods may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of these methods to those skilled in the art.

[0018] This disclosure relates to at least an improved submarine optical fiber communications cable that supports or includes a significantly higher optical fiber count (also referred to herein as "fiber count") than that of typical or conventional submarine cables, but is configured to have the same outer diameter. The cable also has low resistance, enabling high-capacity systems over oceanic distances using optical fibers with thin protective coatings, which are the norm in the terrestrial market. Such compact cable designs retain the volume advantages and minimize ship loads and transit times for ultra-high-capacity systems, without the technical complexities of multicore optical fibers (MCFs), such as additional optical components and yet-to-be-developed multicore amplification.

[0019] Design options include cables with wire counts of 24 or 30. Design options may include optical fiber counts from one hundred forty-two (142) to two hundred thirty-two (232), although examples herein are not limited thereto.

[0020]

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary bidirectional optical communication system 101 capable of transmitting large amounts of data over long distances using high-bandwidth optical fibers. Bidirectional data transmission can be achieved by configuring optical fibers in pairs within an optical cable, with each optical fiber pair transmitting one or more channels (e.g., wavelength division multiplexed channels).

[0021] As shown in the figure, optical communication system 101 may include terminals 103 and 105 connected via two unidirectional optical paths 111 and 121, which together form a bidirectional optical fiber pair. Optical path 111 may transmit information in one direction (e.g., to the right) from a transmitter 113 in terminal 103 to a receiver 115 in terminal 105. Optical path 121 may transmit information in the other direction (e.g., to the left) from a transmitter 125 in terminal 105 to a receiver 123 in terminal 103. For terminal 103, optical path 111 is the outbound path, and optical path 121 is the inbound path. Optical path 111 may include optical fibers 117-1 through 117-n and optical amplifiers 119-1 through 119-n, and optical path 121 may include optical fibers 127-1 through 127-n and optical amplifiers 129-1 through 129-n. One or more of optical amplifiers 119-1 to 119-n and 129-1 to 129-n may be EDFAs. It will be appreciated that in some examples, transmitter 113 and receiver 123 may be housed together as a repeater in terminal 103, and similarly, transmitter 115 and receiver 125 may be housed together as a repeater in terminal 105.

[0022] Optical path pairs (e.g., optical paths 111, 121) can be configured as a set of amplifier pairs 119-1 to 119-n and 129-1 to 129-n within repeaters 131-1 to 131-n, connected via paired optical fibers 117-1 to 117-n and 127-1 to 127-n, which may be included in an optical fiber cable along with optical fibers supporting additional path pairs. Each repeater 131 may include a pair of amplifiers 119, 129 for each path pair and may include additional amplifiers for additional path pairs. The optical amplifiers 119, 129 may be EDFAs or other rare-earth doped optical fiber amplifiers, Raman amplifiers, or semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). Coupled paths 133-1 to 133-n can be coupled between optical paths 111, 121, for example, to one or more of repeaters 131-1 to 131-n. It will be understood that the terms "couple" or "coupled" as used herein broadly mean any connection, direct connection, coupling, link or linkage, whether direct or indirect, wired or wireless, and do not necessarily mean that coupled parts or components are directly connected to one another.

[0023] Although an exemplary embodiment of optical communication system 101 has been shown and described, variations of optical communication system 101 are within the scope of this disclosure. Optical communication system 101 may include, for example, more optical path pairs and more or fewer repeaters. Alternatively, optical communication system 101 may not include any optical amplifiers, or may instead include optical pump power sources suitable for implementing optical gain by Raman amplification in optical fibers connected to repeaters.

[0024] It will also be understood that a transmitter, a receiver, a repeater including a transmitter and a receiver, or any other suitable device for transmitting and receiving data may include at least one memory and one or more processors (e.g., a CPU, an ASIC, an FGPA, any conventional processor, etc.) for executing instructions stored in the memory.

[0025] It can be further understood that the optical path may be powered by one or more power conductors of an optical cable, and multiple optical communication systems (e.g., optical communication system 101) can be connected to each other via interconnected cables and branching units.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary submarine optical cable (hereinafter referred to as "cable") 200 for use in undersea applications. As shown, cable 200 may include hollow buffer tubes (hereinafter referred to as "tubes") 202 that surround or contain a plurality of optical fibers 204. The number of optical fibers 204 shown is not meant to be limiting, and it should be understood that there may be a greater number of optical fibers within tube 202, which is bounded by an inner buffer surface 205 of tube 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of optical fibers 204 may be 142, where the thickness / diameter of optical fibers 204 may be 200 μm or greater. Tube 202 may be a discretely centered buffer tube made of a plastic or metal material. In some embodiments, tube 202 may be filled with a gel. In this case, the gel within tube 202 may be a thixotropic gel and may have a particular normal viscosity, as desired. The tube 202 may also define an outer buffer surface 210 and a radial thickness measured between the outer buffer surface 210 and the inner buffer surface 205 .

[0027] As further shown, multiple strength members may be wound around the tube 202. More specifically, multiple first laminate strength members 208 may surround the outer cushioning surface 210 of the tube 202, and multiple second laminate strength members 209 may surround the multiple first laminate strength members 208. Multiple third laminate strength members 211 may surround the multiple first laminate strength members 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiple second laminate strength members 209 and the multiple third laminate strength members 211 are alternately arranged. Each of the multiple first strength members 208 has a first diameter, each of the multiple second strength members 209 has a second diameter, and each of the multiple third strength members 211 has a third diameter. In this case, the first diameter is slightly larger than the second diameter, and the third diameter is smaller than both the first and second diameters. The diameters of the three wires minimize the remaining space between the wires to achieve or enable an interlocking wire configuration, and the diameters of the plurality of second strength members 209 and the diameters of the plurality of third strength members 211 are the same or approximately the same.

[0028] Each of the strength members may have a circular cross section, and the strength members in each layer may be arranged in a closely stacked configuration, for example, an inner layer or ring may include eight (8) strength members, with adjacent members touching each other, and similarly, an outer layer or ring may include sixteen (16) strength members, with adjacent members touching each other.

[0029] Cable 200 may further include conductor 240 (e.g., a copper conductor) surrounding the strength members and serving as an electrical conductor and shielding barrier. More specifically, conductor 240 may be in direct physical and electrical contact with second strength members 209 and third strength members 211, and may penetrate to some extent into gaps between the strength members in the outer layer. Without limitation, the radial thickness of conductor 240 may be between 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm, or may be as appropriate for the required cable resistance characteristics.

[0030] An outer jacket 245 is also shown, which can be formed of polyethylene (e.g., MDPE, HDPE) and can encase the conductor 240. For example, the outer jacket 245 can be used as an insulating layer and can be formed directly on the outer surface 246 of the conductor 240. The outer jacket 245 can have a radial thickness T1, measured between the inner jacket surface 248 and the outer jacket surface 250, of between about 3 mm and 4 mm, as appropriate for the required high-voltage resistance capability of the cable. In one non-limiting example, T1 can be about 3.4 mm. The outer jacket 245 can define an outer diameter OD1 and an inner diameter ID1. Together, the tube 202 can define a second outer diameter OD2 and a second inner diameter ID2.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter (OD1) of outer jacket 245 is equal to or approximately equal to five times (5x) the outer diameter (OD2) of tube 202. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the outer diameter of outer jacket 245 is 21 mm, and the outer diameter of tube 202 is 4.2 mm. Additionally, the radial thickness (T1) of outer jacket 245 is 3.4 mm, which is the same as the insulation thickness of some conventional 18 kV-rated submarine optical fiber cables. The combination of OD1, OD2, and T1 sizes allows for optimal selection of the copper conductor and strength members between outer jacket 245 and tube 202, resulting in a cable design with a fiber count of 142, a resistance of less than 0.5 ohm / km, and cable strength and water-to-weight ratio (cable properties that are very important in cable installation and recovery operations) comparable to some conventional cable designs.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary submarine optical cable (hereinafter referred to as "cable") 300 for use in undersea applications. Cable 300 may be the same or similar in many respects to cable 200 described above. Therefore, for brevity, only some aspects of cable 300 will be described below. As shown, cable 300 may include a hollow buffer tube (hereinafter referred to as "tube") 302 that surrounds or contains a plurality of optical fibers 304. The number of optical fibers 304 shown is not intended to be limiting, and it should be understood that there may be a greater number of optical fibers within tube 302. In some embodiments, the number of optical fibers 304 may be 232, and the thickness of optical fibers 304 may be 200 μm or greater. Tube 302 may also have a regulated outer buffer surface 310 and a radial wall thickness measured between outer buffer surface 310 and inner buffer surface 305.

[0033] As further shown, multiple strength members may be wound around the tube 302. More specifically, multiple first laminate strength members 308 may surround the outer cushioning surface 310 of the tube 302, and multiple second laminate strength members 309 may surround the multiple first laminate strength members 308. Multiple third laminate strength members 311 may surround the multiple first laminate strength members 308. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiple second laminate strength members 309 and the multiple third laminate strength members 311 are alternately arranged. Each of the multiple first strength members 308 has a first diameter, each of the multiple second strength members 309 has a second diameter, and each of the multiple third strength members 311 has a third diameter, where the first diameter is larger than the second diameter and the third diameter is smaller than the first and second diameters. The diameters of the three wires minimize the remaining space between the wires, achieving or enabling an interlocking wire configuration, and the diameters of the plurality of second strength members 309 and the plurality of third strength members 311 are the same or nearly the same. Each of the strength members can have a circular cross-section, and each layer of the strength members can be arranged in a densely packed configuration, for example, an inner layer or ring can include ten (10) strength members, with adjacent members touching each other. Similarly, an outer layer or ring can include twenty (20) strength members, with adjacent members touching each other.

[0034] Cable 300 may further include conductor 340 (e.g., a copper conductor) surrounding the strength members and serving as an electrical conductor and shielding barrier. More specifically, conductor 340 may be in direct physical and electrical contact with the plurality of second strength members 309 and the plurality of third strength members 311, and may penetrate to some extent into the gaps between the strength members in the outer layer. Without limitation, the radial thickness of conductor 340 may be between 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm, or may be as appropriate for the required cable resistance characteristics.

[0035] An outer jacket 345 is also shown, which can be formed of polyethylene (e.g., MDPE, HDPE) and can package the conductor 340. For example, the outer jacket 345 can serve as an insulating layer and be formed directly on the outer surface 346 of the conductor 340. The outer jacket 345 can have a radial thickness T1 measured between the inner jacket surface 348 and the outer jacket surface 350 of approximately 3 mm to 4 mm, as appropriate for the required high-voltage resistance capability of the cable. In one non-limiting example, T1 can be approximately 3.4 mm. The outer jacket 345 can define an outer diameter OD1 and an inner diameter ID1. Together, the tube 302 can define a second outer diameter OD2 and a second inner diameter ID2. In the illustrated example, the outer diameter (OD1) of the outer jacket 345 is equal to or approximately equal to four times the outer diameter (OD2) of the tube 302. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the outer diameter of outer jacket 345 is 21 mm, and the outer diameter of tube 302 is 5.3 mm. Additionally, the radial thickness (T1) of outer jacket 345 is 3.4 mm, which is the same as the insulation thickness of some conventional 18 kV rated submarine cables. This size combination of OD1, OD2, and T1 allows for a higher optical fiber count than cable 200, and allows for the selection of optimal copper conductor thickness and strength member diameter to achieve a cable design with a resistance of less than 0.5 ohm / km, the required cable strength, and water-to-weight ratio.

[0036] The present disclosure, related techniques, examples, and / or embodiments advantageously provide submarine optical cables with significantly higher fiber counts (e.g., at least 142 individual optical fibers) than conventional or typical cables (e.g., up to 24-48 individual optical fibers). By simultaneously optimizing the size of each component layer of the cable (retaining a typical 24-wire strength packet) and employing an optional stranded wire configuration (30-wire strength packet), the present invention achieves a significant increase in fiber count while maintaining a typical cable outer diameter. This, in turn, enables low-resistance cable designs, enabling very high-capacity systems over oceanic distances using optical fibers with thin protective coatings, which is the standard for the terrestrial market. Another benefit is that such adjustments can be made using conventional cable manufacturing processes or systems, significantly reducing any additional manufacturing-related costs.

[0037] As used herein, references to elements or steps in the singular and preceded by "a" or "one" should be understood not to exclude a plurality of elements or steps, unless the exclusion is expressly recited. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate said features.

[0038] As used herein, the use of "comprises," "includes," or "having," and variations thereof, is meant to include the items listed below, equivalents thereof, and additional items. Thus, the terms "comprises," "includes," or "having," and variations thereof, are open phrases and can be used interchangeably herein.

[0039] As used herein, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended and operationally conjunctive as well as disjunctive. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and / or C" each refer to an individual A, an individual B, an individual C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C.

[0040] All directional references (e.g., near, far, top, bottom, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, rear, apex, bottom, superior, inferior, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are for identification purposes only and aid the reader in understanding this disclosure and are not intended to limit, and in particular do not limit, the position, orientation, or use of, this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between component sets and relative movement between components. Thus, a connection reference does not necessarily infer that two components are directly connected and have a fixed relationship to one another.

[0041] Also, distinguishing references (e.g., primarily, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) do not imply importance or priority, but are intended to distinguish one feature from another. These drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and the size, location, order, and relative sizes reflected in the drawings may vary.

[0042] The terms "basic" or "essentially" and "approximate" or "approximately" can be used interchangeably in some embodiments and can be described by any relative metric acceptable to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, these terms can be used in comparison to a reference parameter to indicate a deviation that can provide a desired function. Without limitation, the deviation from the reference parameter can be, for example, less than 1%, less than 3%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, etc.

[0043] Accordingly, all such other embodiments and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, while this disclosure has been described in the context of particular embodiments in particular environments and for particular purposes, those skilled in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto, and that the present disclosure may be advantageously implemented in any number of environments and for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in accordance with the full breadth and spirit of the present disclosure as described herein.

Claims

1. a hollow buffer tube having a plurality of optical fibers therein, the hollow buffer tube including an inner buffer surface and an outer buffer surface, the outer buffer surface of the hollow buffer tube defining an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; a plurality of first laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes; a conductor surrounding the plurality of first laminate strength members; an outer jacket surrounding the conductor and including an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface, the outer jacket surface defining an outer diameter of the outer jacket, the outer diameter of the outer jacket being no greater than five times the outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; Optical cable.

2. the outer jacket has a radial thickness, the radial thickness being less than an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; 2. The optical cable according to claim 1.

3. the plurality of optical fibers includes more than 140 optical fibers; 2. The optical cable according to claim 1.

4. the plurality of optical fibers includes more than 230 optical fibers; 2. The optical cable according to claim 1.

5. Each of the plurality of optical fibers has a diameter of 200 μm.

2. The optical cable according to claim 1.

6. a plurality of second laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes; Each of the plurality of first laminate strength members has a first diameter, and each of the plurality of second laminate strength members has a second diameter different from the first diameter.

2. The optical cable according to claim 1.

7. a plurality of third laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes; Each of the plurality of third laminate strength members has a third diameter different from the first diameter and the second diameter.

7. The optical cable according to claim 6.

8. The conductor is a copper layer located directly adjacent to the outer jacket.

2. The optical cable according to claim 1.

9. The outer jacket is polyethylene.

9. An optical cable according to claim 1.

10. One set of terminals, a pair of unidirectional optical paths each including an optical cable, The optical cable comprises: a hollow buffer tube having a plurality of optical fibers therein, the hollow buffer tube including an inner buffer surface and an outer buffer surface, the outer buffer surface of the hollow buffer tube defining an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; a plurality of first laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes; a conductor surrounding the plurality of first laminate strength members; an outer jacket surrounding the conductor and including an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface, the outer jacket surface defining an outer diameter of the outer jacket, the outer diameter of the outer jacket being no greater than five times the outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; Optical communication system.

11. the outer jacket has a radial thickness, the radial thickness being less than an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; 11. The optical communication system according to claim 10.

12. the plurality of optical fibers includes 142 to 232 optical fibers; 11. The optical communication system according to claim 10.

13. a plurality of second laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes; Each of the plurality of first laminate strength members has a first diameter, and each of the plurality of second laminate strength members has a second diameter different from the first diameter.

11. The optical communication system according to claim 10.

14. a plurality of third laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes; each of the plurality of third laminate strength members has a third diameter different from the first diameter and the second diameter; 14. The optical communication system according to claim 13.

15. the conductor is a copper layer directly adjacent to the outer jacket; 15. An optical communication system according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

16. a hollow buffer tube having a plurality of optical fibers therein, the hollow buffer tube including an inner buffer surface and an outer buffer surface, the outer buffer surface of the hollow buffer tube defining an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; a plurality of first laminate strength members surrounding the hollow buffer tubes; a conductor surrounding the plurality of first laminate strength members; an outer jacket intimately surrounding the conductor and including an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface, the outer jacket surface defining an outer diameter of the outer jacket, the outer diameter of the outer jacket being no greater than five times the outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube; Submarine optical cable.

17. The outer jacket has a radial thickness that is less than an outer diameter of the hollow buffer tube.

17. The submarine optical cable according to claim 16.

18. the plurality of optical fibers includes 142 to 232 optical fibers; 17. The submarine optical cable according to claim 16.

19. Each of the plurality of optical fibers has a length of 200 μm or more.

17. The submarine optical cable according to claim 16.

20. further comprising a buffer gel located within the hollow buffer tube.

20. A submarine optical cable according to any one of claims 16 to 19.

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