Adapter module for use with very small form factor fiber optic connectors

Abstract

The subject technologies relate to a multi-fiber connector assembly comprising an adaptor portion located within an adaptor module portion. The adaptor portion is configured with an aperture comprising at least two apertures, wherein the at least two apertures are further configured to respectively locate multi-fiber connectors (e.g., MMC connectors, very small form connectors, and the like). The adaptor module portion can be further configured with a latch or similar means for locating the adaptor module portion in an opening of patching device such as a patch panel, and the like. The multi-fiber connectors located in the adaptor portion can respectively comprise a linear array of optical fibers, e.g., at least 24, 25, 32, 48, etc., optical fibers. The adaptor module portion can be a QUICKPORT connector having a height of approx. 16mm and a width of approx. 14.5mm.

Description

ADAPTER MODULE FOR USE WITH VERY SMALL FORM FACTOR FIBEROPTIC CONNECTORSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 673,525, filed on July 19, 2024, and entitled “ADAPTER MODULE FOR USE WITH VERY SMALL FORM FACTOR FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS”, and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 673,803 filed on July 22, 2024, and entitled “ADAPTER MODULE FOR USE WITH VERY SMALL FORM FACTOR FIBEROPTIC CONNECTORS”, the entireties of which priority applications are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosed subject matter relates generally to multi-fiber optic connectors.SUMMARY

[0003] The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of one or more embodiments described herein. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of the different embodiments and / or any scope of the claims. The sole purpose of the summary is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description presented herein.

[0004] In one or more embodiments described herein, systems, methods, and / or apparatus are presented that facilitate incorporation of multiple multi-fiber connectors within a multi-fiber connector assembly, enabling connection of the multiple multi-fiber connectors via a single multi-fiber connector assembly.

[0005] In an example embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly comprises an adapter module portion configured to house an adapter portion. The adapter portion is configured to receive two or more multi-fiber connectors, and the adaptor module portion is an adapter module comprising an exterior surface having a width of 14.5 mm or about 14.5 mm and a height of 16 mm or about 16 mm.

[0006] The two or more optical fiber connectors can be multi-fiber connectors comprising very small form factor configurations. The two or more multi-fiberconnectors can comprise a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector, and the first multi-fiber connector can be positioned above the second multi-fiber connector in an aperture located in the adapter portion.

[0007] In one non-limiting example implementation, the first multi-fiber connector comprises at least 24 optical fibers and the second multi-fiber connector comprises at least 24 optical fibers. In another non-limiting example implementation, the first multi-fiber connector comprises at least 25 optical fibers and the second multi-fiber connector comprises at least 25 optical fibers. In another non-limiting implementation, the first multi-fiber connector comprises at least 32 optical fibers and the second multi-fiber connector comprises at least 32 optical fibers.

[0008] The adapter module portion and the adapter portion can respectively be fabricated from at least one of a rigid material, a semi-rigid material, a polymer, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic, or a combination thereof.

[0009] In another non-limiting example implementation, the adaptor module portion comprises an upper external surface having a latch located thereon and a lower external surface having at least one retention flange located thereon, where the latch and the at least one retention flange facilitate connection of the fiber optic connector assembly to an opening in an external patch panel or a wall plate, and where the internal aperture is located between the top external surface and the bottom external surface.

[0010] In another example embodiment, a multi-fiber connector assembly comprises an aperture portion having an internal aperture configured to co-locate a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector. The multi-fiber connector assembly further comprises an adaptor module portion comprising an exterior surface having a width of 14.5 mm or about 14.5 mm, a height of 16 mm or about 16 mm, and a length of 20.1 mm or about 20.1 mm, where the aperture portion is located in an opening in the adaptor module portion.

[0011] The multi-fiber connector assembly can further comprise an upper external surface having a latch located thereon and a lower external surface having at least one retention flange located thereon, where the latch and the at least one retention flange enable the connector to be located in an opening in a patch panel or a wall plate, and where the internal aperture is located between the top external surface and the bottom external surface.

[0012] The first multi-fiber connector and the second multi-fiber connectorcan comprise a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector, where the first multi-fiber connector is positioned above the second multi-fiber connector in the internal aperture between the upper external surface and the lower external surface of the connector.

[0013] The adapter module portion and the adapter portion can respectively be fabricated from at least one of a rigid material, a semi-rigid material, a polymer, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic, or a combination thereof.

[0014] The first multi-fiber connector can be a first very small form factor (VSFF) connector, and the second multi-fiber connector can be a second VSFF connector.

[0015] In another example embodiment, a method of fabricating a multi-fiber fiber optic connector assembly comprises incorporating an adaptor portion within an adaptor module portion, where the adaptor portion comprises an aperture configured to receive at least two or more multi-fiber connectors, and where the adaptor module portion has an external height of 16 mm and an external width of 14.5 mm. A first multi-fiber connector can be positioned within a first portion of the aperture, where the first multi-fiber connector comprises a first array of optical fibers, and a second multi-fiber connector can be positioned within a second portion of the aperture, where the second multi-fiber connector comprises a second array of optical fibers.

[0016] In one non-limiting example implementation, the first array of optical fibers comprises a total of 32 optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers comprises a total of 32 optical fibers, where the first array of optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers combine to form a total of 64 optical fibers.

[0017] In another non-limiting example implementation, the first array of optical fibers comprises a total of 24 optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers comprises a total of 24 optical fibers, where the first array of optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers combine to form a total of 48 optical fibers.

[0018] In another non-limiting example implementation, the first multi-fiber connector comprises a first VSFF configuration, and the second multi-fiber connector comprises a second VSFF configuration.

[0019] The adapter module portion can also have an external length of 20.1 mm.

[0020] The multi-fiber connector assembly can further comprise an upper external surface having a latch located thereon and a lower external surface having atleast one retention flange located thereon. The latch and the at least one retention flange enable the connector to be located in an opening in a patch panel or wall plate. The internal aperture can be located between the top external surface and the bottom external surface.

[0021] In addition, the two or more multi-fiber connectors can comprise a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector, where the first multi-fiber connector is positioned above the second multi-fiber connector within the aperture located in the adapter.

[0022] An advantage of the one or more systems, products, and methods can be incorporation of two or more VSFF multi-fiber connectors comprising a reduced size and increased fiber density compared to the standard duplexed fiber optic connectors, such as the 2.5 mm SC, ST and FC fiber connectors and the 1.25 mm small form factor LC connector (e.g., SN, MDC, MMC connectors, SN-MT connectors, and the like). Such VSFF multi-fiber connectors support even higher optical fiber density per connector than conventional multi-fiber connectors (e.g., MPO and MTP multi-fiber connectors) as a result of the smaller physical size of the VSFF connectors and different ferrule design. For instance, as is understood by those skilled in the art, the conventional multi-fiber MPO connector may be configured to house 8, 12, 16, 24, 25, up to a maximum of 32 optical fibers within the same dimensional footprint as the standard LC duplex pair thus achieving higher fiber optic connectivity density within patching devices (e.g., patch panel) for applications deploying the standard LC duplex connectors often found in data centers. However, while a conventional multi-fiber MPO connector assembly may be configured to include a single conventional multi-fiber MPO connector within the footprint of the standard LC duplex pair, use of two or more VSFF multi-fiber connectors, within the standard LC duplex footprint, can achieve even higher fiber optic connectivity density.

[0023] Per the various embodiments presented herein, this higher fiber optic connectivity density is achieved by deploying two or more VSFF multi-fiber connectors within the footprint of the QUICKPORT™ adapter of Leviton Manufacturing, Co., Inc. The QUICKPORT™ adapter is part of Leviton’ s copper and fiber connectivity system of mix and match panels, connectors, wall plates, and surface-mount boxes, that allows end users to create the perfect mix of voice, data, video and audio, all in a single panel. The QUICKPORT™ family of connectors iscompatible in any QUICKPORT™ housing, which is ideal for any environment, such as a data center, that has frequent moves, adds, and changes in data communications connectivity. More specifically, the QUICKPORT™ adapter for use with multi-fiber connectors is comprised of a housing having a flexible latch and retention flanges positioned on opposing external surfaces with a width of 14.5 mm, a height of 16 mm and length of 20.1 mm. Thus, instead of deploying just a single conventional multifiber connector (e.g. MPO, MTP) with the physical dimensions of a QUICKPORT™ adapter, higher fiber optic connectivity density may be achieved by deploying two VSFF multi-fiber connectors within the QUICKPORT™ adapter footprint of (e.g., a width of 14.5 mm, a height of 16 mm and length of 20.1 mm), or about such dimensions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] FIGS. 1 A and IB present front end view perspective drawings of a multi-fiber connector assembly comprising an adapter module portion in which is disposed an adapter portion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 2 presents a schematic illustrating disposition of two multi-fiber connectors within an adapter portion which is, itself, disposed within an adapter module portion, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B present orthographic side and end views of a multifiber connector assembly comprising an adapter module portion into which is disposed an adapter portion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 4 presents an orthographic top down view of a multi-fiber connector assembly comprising an adapter module portion into which is disposed an adapter portion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0028] FIGS. 5 A and 5B present an orthographic rear end view of a multifiber connector assembly comprising an adapter module portion into which is disposed an adapter portion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 6 presents an isometric view of a multi-fiber connector assembly comprising an adapter module portion into which is disposed an adapter portion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 7 presents an orthographic side-on view of an adapter module portion of a multi-fiber connector assembly in accordance with an embodiment.

[0031] FIGS. 8A-C collectively present a schematic illustrating various aspects of a multi-fiber connector assembly comprising an adaptor module portion and an adapter portion in accordance with an embodiment.

[0032] FIGS. 9A-D collectively present a schematic illustrating a multi-fiber connector assembly comprising an adaptor module portion with an adapter portion disposed therein and assembled as a single component in accordance with an embodiment.

[0033] FIGS. 10A-C illustrates specifical dimensional aspects of a multi-fiber connector assembly comprising an adapter module portion with an adapter portion disposed therein and housing a multi-fiber connector, disposed within an aperture of the adapter portion, and configured to hold / locate a set of multiple optical fibers.

[0034] FIG. 11 presents an example method for incorporation / location of two or more multi-fiber connectors in a multifiber connector assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The subject disclosure is now described with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject disclosure. It may be evident, however, that the subject disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject disclosure.

[0036] n is an integer greater than zero.

[0037] Fiber optic connectors are designed for alignment of the mating faces of optical fibers disposed within mated fiber connectors. In a particular example, a multi-fiber connector is configured with multiple optical fibers within a single connector housing. FIGS. 10A-C present respective views of a prior art multi-fiber connector assembly 1000. FIGS. 10A and 10B are orthographic views and FIGS. 10C is an isometric view. As shown, prior art multi-fiber connector assembly 1000 comprises, for example, an MPO fiber optic connector 1010 located in an adapter portion 1015 further located in a QUICKPORT adaptor module portion 1005 having specific dimensional parameters of a height of 16.0 mm (0.63”) and a width of 14.5 mm (0.57mm). Adapter portion 1015 has a single aperture 1016 to receive MPOconnector 1010. QUICKPORT adapter module portionl005 further comprises a cantilever latch 1008 and retention flanges 1009A-n to secure the QUICKPORT adapter module portion 1005 within an opening in a patching surface such as a patch panel (not shown) or faceplate (not shown). QUICKPORT is a trademark of Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. that is used in association with Leviton’ s QUICKPORT copper and fiber optic connectivity system comprised of mix and match panels, connectors, wall plates, and surface-mount enclosures. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the outer dimensions of the QUICKPORT adaptor module 1005 are a width of 14.5 mm, a height of 16.0 mm, and a depth or length of 20.1 mm. The outer dimensions can also be about 14.5 mm wide, about 16.0 mm high, and about 20.1 mm deep or long. As used herein, the term ‘about’ as applied to these dimensions means that 0.5 mm, or half of 1 mm, is included on both sides of the number as a range that the term ‘about’ encompasses. For instance, about 14.5 mm herein means 14.0 - 15.0 mm, about 16.0 mm means 15.5 - 16.5 mm, and about 20.1 mm means 19.6 - 20.6 mm

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 10A-C, and as is well known by those skilled in the art, prior art multi-connector assembly 1000 can comprise an MPO connector 1010 in which is disposed optical fibers 1030A-W. In the example presented, a pair of locating pins 1040 A and 1040B (with complimenting location holes in the corresponding mateable piece) are used to align the respective MPO connectors, e.g., MPO connector 1010 and counterpart (not shown), to ensure alignment of the optic fibers 1030A-W. It is to be appreciated that while 12 optical fibers 1030A-W are illustrated in FIGS. 10A-C, different numbers of fibers can be incorporated into an MPO connector 1000, e.g., 8 optical fibers, 12 optical fibers, 24 optical fibers, 25 optical fibers, 32 optical fibers, and such. Connector 1000 can be one of a pair of connectors configured to be coupled together to enable alignment of the mating surfaces of optical fibers 1030 A- / / to facilitate transmission of light signals via the optical fibers 1030A-W.

[0039] The various embodiments presented herein take advantage of the continued reduction in the size of the fiber-optic connectors across the fiber optic industry. For example, as the form factor of multi-fiber connectors is respectively reduced, e.g., as a traditional multi-fiber connector is reduced in size, per, for example, an SN-MT connector (manufactured by SENKO) or an MMC-16 (manufactured by US-CONNEC), an increasingly higher density of optical fibersdisposed within an increasing number of multi-fiber connectors can be achieved within a single adapter thereby increasing the efficiency of mating optical fibers within a connectivity device such as a patch panel or wall plate.

[0040] FIGS. 1 A and IB present orthographic front end view drawings illustrating a multi-fiber connector assembly 100A-B comprising an adapter portion 110 located within an adapter module portion 120 (a.k.a., QUICKPORT adaptor module) having various connector portions, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG. 1 A further illustrates adapter portion 110 having a duplex aperture 130, comprising two regions 130A and 130B respectively, configured to receive a multi-fiber connector 180A-n (as defined by the broken line). FIG. IB depicts multi-fiber connector assembly 100B with a pair of multi-fiber connectors 180A and 180B located within each of regions 130A and 130B, respectively. Multifiber connectors 180A and 180B can be MMC connectors, very small form factor (VSFF) fiber optic connectors, and the like. Multi-fiber connectors 180A and 180B can have a male configuration (e.g., include locating pins comparable to locating pins 1040A / B), a female configuration (e.g., include locating holes for insertion of pins comparable to locating pins 1040A / B), or a combination of both types of connectors.

[0041] As shown, multi -fiber connector assembly 100A / B may comprise at least two portions, the adapter portion 110, configured to receive one or more multifiber connectors 180A-n within the apertures 130A, 130B, and the adapter module portion 120, configured to receive the adapter portion 110, and also comprising latchable securement via, for instance, cantilever latch 1008 and retention flanges 1009A-W, of the multi-fiber connector assembly 100A / B in a compatible receptable or opening in a patching device such as a patch panel (not shown) or a wall plate (not shown).

[0042] To this end, adapter module portion 120 may further include securing / locating structures such as a cantilever latch 1008 (e.g., a resilient latch) located on the upper portion of adaptor module portion 120 and one or more retention flanges 1009 A- / / located on the lower surface of adapter module portion 120, enabling multi-fiber connector assembly 100 to be securely disposed into a receiving opening in, for instance, a wall plate or patch panel. Operation of the cantilever latch 1008 of the adapter module portion 120 enables secure location of the multi-fiber connector assemblies 100, located in adapter portion 110, and, when the cantilever latch 1008 isdepressed, multi -fiber connector assembly 100 can be removably disengaged from the patching device.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 A and IB, the QUICKPORT adapter module portion 120 has comparable dimensions as the QUICKPORT adapter module portion 1005 (See, FIGS. 10A-10C), with a width of 14.5 mm (0.57”), a height of 16.0 mm (0.63”), and a depth of 20.1 mm (0.79”).

[0044] Comparing FIGS. 1 A-B and 10A-C, advantage is taken of the reduction in size between an MPO connector 1010 and a multi -fiber connector 180A, such that two or more multi -fiber connectors 180 A- / / can fit in the space / footprint required by a single MPO connector 1010. Hence, while a MPO connector 1010 may comprise, e.g., a linear array of 24 optical fibers 1030A- / ?, using two smaller form factor multi-fiber connectors 180 A and 180B enables 48 optical fibers 1030A-W to be conveyed in a single QUICKPORT adapter module portion 120, e.g., two linear arrays of 24 optical fibers 1030 A- / / in the two smaller form factor multi-fiber connectors 180 A and 180B. Effectively, the configuration 1000 presented in FIG. 10 is a single adaptor (per single aperturel016) while the configuration 100 presented in FIGS. 1-8 is a duplex adapter (per duplex aperture 130 comprised of 1staperture portion 130 A and 2ndaperture portion 130B) configured to house two VSFF fiber optic connectors 180A and 180B, a.k.a., MMC connectors. While the dimensional footprint of the QUICKPORT adaptor module portions 1005 and 120 is the same, the number of optical fibers 1030 A- / / in configuration 100 can double the number of optical fibers 1030 A- / / in configuration 1000, such that configuration 100 enables a greater fiber optic connectivity density than configuration 1000. For example, in the event of the MPO connector 1010 comprises a total of 32 optical fibers, with at least two multi-fiber connectors 180A-W located in adapter module portion 120, configuration 100A / B enables at least 33 optical fibers to be located in the adaptor module portion 120 when two multi-fiber connectors 180A and 180B are utilized in the configuration 100A / B. Multi-fiber connectors 180A-W can comprise of any number / ? of optical fibers 1030A- / ?.

[0045] In a further aspect, adaptor portion 110 and adapter module portion 120 can be fabricated with any suitable material, e.g., a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a moldable plastic or polymer, as well as further rigid materials such as a metal, a ceramic, or a combination wherein such moldable plastic or polymer is coated with a different material such as a conductive metal material. In a furtheraspect, the moldable plastic or polymer can be selected based on a color scheme according to an intended use of the multi-fiber connector assembly 100 (e.g., a standardized color scheme).

[0046] FIG. 2 presents a schematic 200 illustrating disposition of two multifiber connectors 180A and 180B within adapter portion 110. As shown, a pair of multi-fiber connectors 180A and 180B are inserted into the rear end of the adapter portion 110, and located in place such that the respective front mating faces of the multi-fiber connectors 180A and 180B are positioned mid-way within adapter portion 110, with the front end of adapter portion 110 remaining open and having apertures 130C and 130D to receive corresponding, mating multi-fiber connectors 180C and 180D (not shown) inserted at the front end of adapter portion 110 and configured to mate, respectively, with multi-fiber connectors 180A and 180B inserted into the rear end of adapter portion 110.

[0047] FIGS. 3A and 3B present orthographic side and end views of a multifiber connector assembly 300, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3A, a multi-fiber connector assembly 300 comprises an adapter portion 110 located inside of adapter module portion 120. FIG. 3B is an end-on view of the front end of the adapter 110 with the mating faces of two multi-fiber connectors 180 A and 180B visible through the front end with the multi -fiber connectors 180A and 180B disposed within the aperture regions 130A and 130B of adapter portion 110.

[0048] FIG. 4 presents an orthographic top down view of a multi-fiber connector assembly 400, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, an adapter portion 110 is located within an adapter module portion 120, whereby a cantilever latch 1008 is located on the top / upper surface of the adapter module portion 120 for reversibly securing multi-fiber connector assembly 400 to a patching device (not shown) further secured within the patch device (not shown) by means of retention flanges 1009 A and 1009B on the opposing side of adapter module portion 120.

[0049] FIGS. 5 A and 5B present an orthographic rear end view of a multifiber connector assembly 500, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an adaptor portion 110 is located within the adapter module portion 120, with a cantilever latch 1008 located on an upper / top surface of the adapter module portion 120 and a pair of retention flanges 1009 A and 1009B located and extending from the lower / bottom surface of the adapter module portion 120. Asshown, adaptor portion 110 fits within an opening 125 located in the adaptor module portion 120. Adaptor portion 110 is located / retained within the adaptor module portion 120 by means of positioning flanges 140A-n located on the interior walls of the adaptor module portion 120 and configured to engage corresponding coupling structures on adapter portion 110 (e.g., as is known in the art).

[0050] FIG. 6 presents an isometric view of a multi-fiber connector assembly 600, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 6 presents an isometric view of a multi-fiber connector assembly 600 from a rear end perspective, with adapter portion 110 disposed therein, but prior to disposition multi -fiber connectors 180 A and 180B within adapter portion 110.

[0051] FIG. 7 presents an orthographic side-on view of adapter module portion 120 with a cantilever latch 1008 on the upper / top surface of the adapter module portion 120 and one or more retention flanges 1009A / B extending from the lower / bottom surface of the adapter module portion 120.

[0052] FIGS. 8A-C collectively present a schematic illustrating an adapter portion 110 being disposed within an adapter module portion 120 to form a multifiber connector assembly 800, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown, an adapter portion 110 may be positioned within the adapter module portion 120 such that a front end of the adapter portion 110 is located at a front end of the adapter module portion 120. With adapter portion 110 located within the adapter module portion 120, to form the multi-fiber connector assembly 800, multi-fiber connectors 180A and 180B can be positioned within the 1stand 2ndapertures 130A, 130B of duplex aperture 130 of adapter portion 110 (see, e.g., FIGs. 2, 3B).

[0053] It is to be appreciated that while FIGs. 1 A-8C illustrate adapter portion 110 and adaptor module portion 120 as being two separate components, adapter portion 110 and adapter module portion 120 can be fabricated as a single component, as shown in FIGs. 9A-D.

[0054] FIG. 9A is an isometric front-end view of a multi-fiber connector assembly 900, FIG. 9B is a side-on orthographic view of multi-fiber connector assembly 900, FIG. 9C is an orthographic rear end view of multi-fiber connector assembly 900, and FIG. 9D is an isometric rear end view of multi-fiber connector assembly 900. Multi-fiber connector assembly 900 comprises a single component having a structure comparable to adapter module portion 120 being integrated with the duplex aperture 130, and further with cantilever latch 1008 and retention flanges1009A-n. Exterior dimensions of multi-fiber connector assembly 900 are the same as the dimensions of the aforementioned QUICKPORT adapters 1000 and assemblies 100 / A / B, e.g., width = 14.5 mm, height = 16.0 mm. Multi-fiber connector assembly 900 further comprises a duplex aperture 910, wherein duplex aperture 910 provides the same functionality as duplex aperture 130, e.g., two or more multi-fiber connectors 180A-W can be positioned / located within duplex aperture 910.

[0055] FIG. 11 illustrates a method 1100 for constructing and utilizing a multifiber connector assembly configured to house and locate two or more multi-fiber connectors (e.g., have a VSFF configuration).

[0056] At 1110, method 1100 can comprise incorporation of an adaptor portion (e.g., adaptor portion 110) within an adaptor module portion (e.g., adaptor module portion 120), wherein the adaptor portion can be configured to comprise an aperture (e.g., duplex aperture 130) further configured to receive at least two or more multi-fiber connectors (e.g., multi-fiber connectors 180A-w). As previously mentioned, the adaptor module portion can have dimensionality having at least one of an external height of 16 mm or about 16 mm, an external width of 14.5 mm or about 14.5 mm, or an external length (or depth) of 20.1 mm or about 20.1 mm, e.g., the dimensionality of a QUICKPORT adapter.

[0057] At 1120, method 1100 can further comprise positioning a first multifiber connector (e.g., multi-fiber connector 180A) within a first portion (e.g., first aperture I 30A) of the duplex aperture (e.g., duplex aperture 130), wherein the first multi-fiber connector includes a first array of optical fibers (e.g., optical fibers 1030A-W).

[0058] At 1130, method 1100 can further comprise positioning a second multi-fiber connector (e.g., multi -fiber connector 180B) within a second aperture (e.g., second aperture I 30B) of the duplex aperture (e.g., duplex aperture 130), wherein the second multi-fiber connector includes a second array of optical fibers (e.g., optical fibers 1030A-w).

[0059] At 1140, method 1100 can further comprise connecting the adapter module portion (with the adaptor portion and multi-fiber connectors located therein) to a panel (e.g., a QUICKPORT panel) (not shown) to facilitate connection of the first array of optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers to a fiber optic connectivity system (e.g., mating multi-fiber connectors inserted in the first and second apertures at the front face of the adapter portion (e.g., apertures 180C, 180D(see, FIG. 2) (mating connectors not shown) located at the QUICKPORT panel (not shown)).

[0060] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

[0061] In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described in connection with various embodiments and corresponding figures, where applicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute function of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

[0062] In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

[0063] What has been described above includes examples of systems and methods illustrative of the disclosed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every combination of components or methodologies here. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A fiber optic connector assembly, comprising: an adapter module portion configured to house an adapter portion, wherein the adapter portion is configured to receive two or more multi-fiber connectors, and wherein the adaptor module portion is an adapter module comprising an exterior surface having a width of 14.5 mm or about 14.5 mm and a height of 16 mm or about 16 mm.

2. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the two or more optical fiber connectors are multi-fiber connectors comprising very small form factor configurations.

3. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the two or more multifiber connectors comprise a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector, and wherein the first multi-fiber connector is positioned above the second multi-fiber connector in an aperture located in the adapter portion.

4. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the first multi-fiber connector comprises at least 24 optical fibers and the second multi-fiber connector comprises at least 24 optical fibers.

5. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the first multi-fiber connector comprises at least 25 optical fibers and the second multi-fiber connector comprises at least 25 optical fibers.

6. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the first multi-fiber connector comprises at least 32 optical fibers and the second multi-fiber connector comprises at least 32 optical fibers.

7. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapter module portion and the adapter portion are respectively fabricated from at least one of a rigid material, a semi-rigid material, a polymer, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic, or a combination thereof.

8. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the adaptor module portion comprises an upper external surface having a latch located thereon and a lower external surface having at least one retention flange located thereon, wherein the latch and the at least one retention flange facilitate connection of the fiber optic connector assembly to an opening in an external patch panel or a wall plate, and wherein the internal aperture is located between the top external surface and the bottom external surface.

9. A multi-fiber connector assembly, comprising: an aperture portion having an internal aperture configured to co-locate a first multi -fib er connector and a second multi -fib er connector; and an adaptor module portion comprising an exterior surface having a width of 14.5 mm or about 14.5 mm, a height of 16 mm or about 16 mm, and a length of 20.1 mm or about 20.1 mm, wherein the aperture portion is located in an opening in the adaptor module portion.

10. The multi-fiber connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the multi-fiber connector assembly further comprises an upper external surface having a latch located thereon and a lower external surface having at least one retention flange located thereon, wherein the latch and the at least one retention flange enable the connector to be located in an opening in a patch panel or a wall plate, and wherein the internal aperture is located between the top external surface and the bottom external surface.

11. The multi-fiber connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the first multi-fiber connector and the second multi-fiber connector comprise a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector, and wherein the first multi-fiber connector is positioned above the second multi-fiber connector in the internal aperture between the upper external surface and the lower external surface of the connector.

12. The multi-fiber connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the adapter module portion and the adapter portion are respectively fabricated from at least one of a rigid material, a semi-rigid material, a polymer, a plastic, a metal, a ceramic, or a combination thereof.

13. The multi-fiber connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the first multi-fiber connector is a first very small form factor (VSFF) connector, and wherein the second multi-fiber connector is a second VSFF connector.

14. A method of fabricating a multi-fiber fiber optic connector assembly, comprising: incorporating an adaptor portion within an adaptor module portion, wherein the adaptor portion comprises an aperture configured to receive at least two or more multi-fiber connectors, and wherein the adaptor module portion has an external height of 16 mm and an external width of 14.5 mm; positioning a first multi-fiber connector within a first portion of the aperture, wherein the first multi-fiber connector comprises a first array of optical fibers; and positioning a second multi-fiber connector within a second portion of the aperture, wherein the second multi -fiber connector comprises a second array of optical fibers.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first array of optical fibers comprises a total of 32 optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers comprises a total of 32 optical fibers, and wherein the first array of optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers combine to form a total of 64 optical fibers.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first array of optical fibers comprises a total of 24 optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers comprises a total of 24 optical fibers, and wherein the first array of optical fibers and the second array of optical fibers combine to form a total of 48 optical fibers.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first multi-fiber connector comprises a first very small form factor (VSFF) configuration, and wherein the second multi-fiber connector comprises a second VSFF configuration.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the adapter module portion further has an external length of 20.1 mm.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the multi-fiber connector assembly further comprises an upper external surface having a latch located thereon and a lower external surface having at least one retention flange located thereon, wherein the latch and the at least one retention flange enable the connector to be located in an opening in a patch panel or wall plate, and wherein the internal aperture is located between the top external surface and the bottom external surface.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the two or more multi-fiber connectors comprise a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector, and wherein the first multi-fiber connector is positioned above the second multi-fiber connector within the aperture located in the adapter.

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