Claims:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A ribbon connector comprising:

a first region having a plurality of optical fibers embedded in a binding substance, wherein the first region having a first inter-fiber distance between adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the first inter-fiber distance is a distance between centers of the adjacent optical fibers in the first region, wherein the first inter-fiber distance is substantially uniform in the first region and wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ribbon connector;

a second region having the plurality of optical fibers embedded in the binding substance, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region are inclined to the longitudinal axis, and

a third region having the plurality of optical fibers embedded in the binding substance, wherein the third region having a third inter-fiber distance between the adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the third inter-fiber distance is a distance between centers of the adjacent optical fibers in the third region, wherein the third inter-fiber distance is uniform for the third region, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers in the third region is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon connector, wherein the second region is formed between the first region and the third region and wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the first region, the second region and the third region are continuous.

2. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region of the ribbon connector is inclined at a pre-defined angle with respect to a reference optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region.

3. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of optical fiber transitions from the first region to the second region to the third region, wherein a bending angle at interface of sections of each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region is selected for a negligible fiber bending loss and wherein a length of the second region is greater than or equal to 5 mm for the negligible fiber bending loss.

4. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region is inclined at a pre-defined angle with respect to a reference optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region, wherein the reference optical fiber is a first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers and wherein the first optical fiber is selected from a first side and a second side of the ribbon connector.

5. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region is inclined at a pre-defined angle with respect to a reference optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region, wherein the reference optical fiber is a central optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers.

6. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region of the ribbon connector is inclined at a pre-defined inclination angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ribbon connector.

7. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of the second region is less than a length of the first region and a length of the third region.

8. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of the second region is equal to a length of the first region and a length of the third region.

9. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third inter-fiber distance is greater than the first inter-fiber distance, wherein the first inter-fiber distance is in a range of 207 micrometer-219 micrometer and wherein the third inter-fiber distance is in a range of 255 micrometer-280 micrometer.

10. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first inter-fiber distance is greater than the third inter-fiber distance, wherein the third inter-fiber distance is in a range of 207 micrometer-219 micrometer and wherein the first inter-fiber distance is in a range of 255 micrometer-280 micrometer.

11. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of the first region is in range of 0.05 meter-10 meter, wherein a length of the second region has a length in a range of 0.05 meter-1 meter and wherein a length of the third region is 0.05 meter-10 meter .

12. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ratio of a length of the first region to a length of the second region is in a range of 100-300 and wherein the ratio of the length of the second region to a length of the third region is in the range of 0.0033-0.0100.

13. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers in the second region forms a pre-defined curvature, and wherein the pre-defined curvature comprises a concave curvature and a convex curvature.

14. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the binding substance is a plastic material.

15. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the binding substance is an ultraviolet curable resin.

16. The ribbon connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the binding substance is a thermally curable resin.

Dated: 1st Day of February, 2016 Signature
Arun Kishore Narasani Patent Agent
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of fiber optics and, in particular, relates to a ribbon connector capable of connecting existing 200 micrometer or 250 micrometer ribbon with modified 200 micrometer ribbon.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the introduction of optical fibers into the communications network, there is a growing demand of optical fiber ribbons. Typically, the optical fiber ribbons are deployed in long tunnels, roads and underground for long distances. There are different type of optical fiber ribbons like a standard 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon, a standard 250 micrometer optical fiber ribbon and a modified 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon. Fibers in each of these optical fiber ribbons have same core diameter and same clad diameter but having different inter-fiber distances. The standard 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon is splicing compatible to standard 200 micrometer ribbons. Similarly, the standard 250 micrometer fiber ribbon is splicing compatible to standard 250 micrometer ribbon. The modified 200 micrometer fiber ribbon is splicing compatible to standard 250 micrometer ribbon; however, the modified 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon is not splicing compatible to standard 200 micrometer ribbons. So, there is a need for a ribbon connector that is splicing compatible with the standard 200 micrometer ribbon, standard 250 micrometer ribbon and modified 250 micrometer ribbon. Currently, 200 micrometer ribbon is being extensively deployed in the field especially in developed countries such as Europe, China, and Turkey.
[0003] The conventional ribbon connectors have several drawbacks due to differences in inter-fiber distance, which makes optical fiber ribbons difficult to splice. Any minor misalignment in two different types of optical fiber ribbons creates substantial difficulty in splicing. Therefore, there is negative effect of requirement of highly skilled manpower along with frequent and rising power losses in fibers for a need of more, automation friendly and robust ribbon connectors.

[0004] In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for a ribbon connector to connect various ribbon types.

OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a ribbon connector for splicing of any of the standard 200 micrometer, modified 200 micrometer and the standard 250 micrometer optical fiber ribbons.

[0006] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a ribbon connector with reduced bending loss in the transition region.

[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber ribbon made of repetitive pattern of ribbon connectors of any desired length.
SUMMARY
[0008] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a ribbon connector comprising a plurality of optical fibers embedded in a binding substance. The ribbon connector includes a first region, a second region and a third region having the plurality of optical fibers embedded in the binding substance. The first region has a first inter-fiber distance between adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Further, the first inter-fiber distance is a distance between centers of the adjacent optical fibers in the first region. The first inter-fiber distance is substantially uniform in the first region. In addition, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ribbon connector. Moreover, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region is inclined to a longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the third region has a third inter-fiber distance between the adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. The third inter-fiber distance is a distance between centers of the adjacent optical fibers in the third region. The third inter-fiber distance is uniform for the third region. In addition, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the third region is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon connector. Moreover, the second region is formed between the first region and the third region and the plurality of optical fibers in the first region, the second region and the third region are continuous.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region of the ribbon connector is inclined at a pre-defined angle with respect to a reference optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region or third region.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of optical fiber transitions from the first region to the second region to the third region. Further, a bending angle at interface of region first to second and region second to third (1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd) for each of the plurality of optical fibers is selected for a negligible fiber bending loss. In addition, the length of the second region is greater than or equal to 5 millimeters for the substantially negligible fiber bending loss.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region of the ribbon connector is inclined at a pre-defined angle with respect to a reference optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region or third region. In addition, the reference optical fiber is a first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers. The first optical fiber is selected from either side of the ribbon connector.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region of the ribbon connector is inclined at a pre-defined angle with respect to a reference optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region or the third region. The reference optical fiber is a central optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region of the ribbon connector is inclined at a pre-defined inclination angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon connector.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a length of the second region is less than a length of the first region and a length of the third region.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the second region is equal to the length of the first region and the length of the third region.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third inter-fiber distance is greater than the first inter-fiber distance. The first inter-fiber distance is in a range of 207 micrometer-219 micrometer and the third inter-fiber distance is in a range of 255 micrometer-280 micrometer.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first inter-fiber distance is greater than the third inter -fiber distance. The third inter-fiber distance is in a range of 207 micrometer-219 micrometer and the first inter-fiber distance is in a range of 255 micrometer-280 micrometer.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first region has a length in a range of 0.05 meter-10 meter. Moreover, the second region has a length in a range of 0.05 meter-1 meter. In addition, the third region has a length in a range of 0.05 meter-10 meter.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a ratio of length of the first region to a length of the second region is in a range of 100-300. In addition, the ratio of the length of the second region to a length of the third region is in the range of 0.0033-0.0100.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers in the second region forms a pre-defined curvature. In addition, the pre-defined curvature includes a concave curvature and a convex curvature.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the binding substance is a plastic material.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the binding substance is an ultraviolet curable resin.

[0023] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the binding substance is a thermal curable resin.

[0024] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the binding substance is a polyamide.

[0025] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, any suitable binding substance can be used to bind optical fibers.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when inter-fiber distance is in range of 207 micrometer-219 micrometer, the ribbon connector is splice compatible to 200 micrometer ribbon and for inter-fiber distance of 255 micrometer-280 micrometer, the ribbon connector is splice compatible to 250 micrometer ribbons and 200 micrometer modified ribbons.
STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0027] The present disclosure relates to a ribbon connector comprising plurality of optical fibers embedded in binding substance. The ribbon connector includes a first region, a second region and a third region. The first region has a first inter-fiber distance between adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. The first inter-fiber distance is a distance between centers of the adjacent optical fibers in the first region. In addition, the first inter-fiber distance is substantially uniform in the first region. Moreover, each of the plurality of optical fibers in the first region is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ribbon connector. Each of the plurality of optical fibers in the second region is inclined to the longitudinal axis. Further, the third region has a third inter-fiber distance between the adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Accordingly, the third inter-fiber distance is a distance between centers of the adjacent optical fibers in the third region. The third inter-fiber distance is uniform for the third region. Moreover, the second region is formed between the first region and the third region. Each of the plurality of optical fibers in the third region is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of optical fibers in the first region, the second region and the third region are continuous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0028] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a ribbon connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a zoom in view of the ribbon connector of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first region of the ribbon connector of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a third region of the ribbon connector of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a ribbon connectible with the ribbon connector of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7;

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of a ribbon connector, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of a ribbon connector, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a table listing angle of inclinations of a plurality of optical fibers with respect to a length of second region for the ribbon connector of FIG. 1; and

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates a table listing the angle of inclinations of the plurality of optical fibers with respect to the length of the second region for the ribbon connector of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0038] It should be noted that the accompanying figures are intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to selected embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with accompanying figures. The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described. This disclosure may be embodied in different forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying figures are intended and provided to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure described below and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for providing better clarity and ease of understanding.

[0040] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and the like, herein do not denote any order, ranking, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a ribbon connector 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ribbon connector 100 is a planar distribution of a plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. The ribbon connector 100 lies along a longitudinal axis 102. The plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h of the ribbon connector 100 is distributed along the longitudinal axis 102. The ribbon connector is a continuous arrangement of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h.

[0042] The ribbon connector 100 includes a first region 106, a second region 108 and a third region 110. The first region 106, the second region 108 and the third region 110 collectively illustrate a continuous arrangement of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. Each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the first region 106 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 (as described in FIG. 1). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first inter-fiber distance is exactly 210 micrometer. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first inter-fiber distance lies in a range of 207 um - 219 um.
[0043] The second region 108 is in between the first region 106 and the third region 110.
Moreover, the second region 108 is a continuous extension of the first region 106. In the second region 108 each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is inclined at a specific inclination angle with respect to a reference optical fiber. Each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h has a different inclination angle. The inclination angle (?) is referred to as (?1-?8) for the respective plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h (as shown in FIG. 2).

[0044] The third region 110 of the ribbon connector 100 is followed by the second region 108. Each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the third region 110 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third inter-fiber distance (d2) is exactly 260 micrometer (also shown in FIG. 4). In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the third inter-fiber distance (d2) lies in a range of 255 micrometer-280 micrometer.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third inter-fiber distance is greater than the first inter-fiber distance. For example, the third inter-fiber distance (d2) is 260 micrometer and the first inter-fiber distance is 210 micrometer. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a length of the first region 106 and a length of the third region 110 are equal. In an example, the length of the first region 106 is 3 meters and the length of the third region 110 is 3 meters. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the first region 106 and the length of the third region 110 are different. In another example, the length of the first region 106 is 3 meters and the length of the third region 110 is 10 meters. The length of the second region 108 is less than the length of the first region 106 and the length of the third region 110. In yet another example, the length of the first region 106, the second region 108 and third region 110 is 3 meters, 10 millimeters and 10 meters respectively. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the first region 106, length of second region 108 and the length of the third region 110 are equal. In another example, the length of the first region 106, the second region 108 and the third region 110 is 1 meter each.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a binding material is present between adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h of the ribbon connector 100. In an example, the binding substance is a plastic material. In another example, the binding substance is an ultraviolet based resin. In yet another example, the binding substance may be any suitable binder substance. The binding substance provides structural solidarity and maintains fiber at their relative positions with respect to each other. The first region 106 of the ribbon connector 100 is compatible for a connection with a ribbon having design specifications similar to the ribbon cross-section (shown in FIG. 3). The third region 110 of the ribbon connector 100 is compatible for a connection with another ribbon having design specifications similar to the ribbon cross-section shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates a zoom in view of the ribbon connector 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the second region 108 of the ribbon connector 100 is inclined at the specific respective inclination angle with respect to the reference optical fiber 104a of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reference optical fiber 104a is a first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. The first optical fiber is the optical fiber selected from a first side or a second side of the ribbon connector 100. In an example, the first optical fiber is the optical fiber 104a of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the first region 106 lies in a range of 1 meter (m)-10 m when the reference optical fiber 104a is the first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the first region 106 is greater than or equal to 0.05 m when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the second region 108 lies in a range of 5 millimeter (mm)-100 mm when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the second region 108 is greater than or equal to 5 mm when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the third region 110 lies in a range of 1 m-10 m when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the third region 110 is greater than or equal to 0.05 m when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h.

[0049] In an example, the ribbon connector 100 includes the first region 106 of 3 m length, the second region 108 of 50 mm length and the third region 110 of 3 m length. In another example, the ribbon connector 100 includes the first region 106 of 10 m length, the second region 108 of 100 mm length and the third region 110 of 10 m length. Moreover, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is inclined at the specific inclination angle (?). The inclination angles (?1-?8) for each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is measured with respect to the reference optical fiber 104a. In addition, the inclination angles (?1-?8) are selected based on the length of the second region 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the second region 108 and the inclination angles (?1-?8) for each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is selected to obtain the negligible bending loss. In an example, the negligible bending loss is less than or equal to 0.005dB at an operating wavelength of 1550 nanometers for the ribbon connector 100. The ribbon connector 100 has the negligible bending loss for the length of the second region 108 greater than 5 mm.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first region 106 of the ribbon connector 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The first region 106 is splicing compatible with a standard 200 micrometer optical fiber. The first region 106 is a multi-fiber planar structure. The first region 106 includes a plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In an example, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is a standard ITU-T G.652D silica optical fiber. The plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h can be any type of optical fiber. Moreover, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h includes a core and a clad. The core is an innermost region of the optical fiber that acts as a waveguide and the clad surrounds the core. In addition, the clad confines light within the core. The core and the clad of each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is characterized by a core diameter, a clad diameter and a fiber diameter. In addition, the fiber diameter is based on the core diameter, the clad diameter and coating diameter. Moreover, the clad diameter for each of plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is 125micrometer.

[0051] In an example, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is a color coded optical fiber. In another example of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is a natural colored optical fiber. In an example, the fiber diameter of the naturally colored optical fiber is 200 micrometer. In another example, the fiber diameter of colored optical fiber lies in a range of 195 micrometer to 203 micrometer. In an example, the fiber diameter for the color coded optical fiber is 200 micrometer. Moreover, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is separated by the first inter-fiber distance (shown as d1) and a fiber separation (shown as s1). The first inter-fiber distance (d1) is measured between the centers of two adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. The first fiber separation (s1) is a shortest distance between the peripheries of two adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In an example, the first inter-fiber distance for the first region 106 is 217 micrometer and the first fiber separation for the first region 106 is 17 micrometer.

[0052] Moreover, the cross-section of first region 106 is characterized by a first ribbon width (shown as a1) and a first fiber ribbon separation (shown as b1). The first ribbon width (a1) is the distance measured horizontally along a cross-section of the first region 106. The first fiber ribbon separation (b1) is the distance between a first optical fiber or a last optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h and end of the first region 106. In an example, the first ribbon width is 1800 micrometer and the first fiber ribbon separation is 165 micrometer.

[0053] It should be noted that in FIG. 3, the first region 106 is shown to include eight (8) optical fibers; however, those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that there can be more or less number of optical fibers that may be present in the first region 106.

[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the third region 110 of the ribbon connector 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The third region 110 is a modified 200 micrometer optical fiber region which is splice compatible to standard 250 micrometer ribbons and 200 micrometer modified ribbons. The third region 110 includes a plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. As mentioned above, the core and the clad of each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the third region 110 is characterized by the core diameter, the clad diameter and the fiber diameter respectively. The clad diameter of each of plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the third region 110 is 125 micrometer. In an example, the fiber diameter for the color coded optical fibers in the third region 110 is 210 micrometer. In another example, the fiber diameter for the color coded optical fibers in the third region 110 lies in a range of 205 micrometer to 213 micrometer.

[0055] Moreover, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the third region 110 is separated by the third inter-fiber distance (shown as d2) and a third fiber separation (shown as s2). In an example, the third inter-fiber distance (d2) of the third region 110 is 267 micrometer and the third fiber separation (s2) of the third region 110 is 67 micrometer. The third region 110 has a third ribbon width (shown as a2) and a third fiber ribbon separation (b2) (as explained in FIG. 4). In an example, the third ribbon width is 2200 micrometer and the third fiber ribbon separation in the third region 110 is 165 micrometer.

[0056] It should be noted that in FIG. 4, the third region 110 is shown to include eight (8) optical fibers; however, those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that there can be more or less number of optical fibers that may be present in the third region 110.

[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates the cross-sectional view of an optical fiber ribbon 500 connectible with the ribbon connector 100. In an example, the optical fiber ribbon 500 is a standard 250 micrometer optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon 500 includes a plurality of optical fibers 502a-502h. The clad diameter for each of plurality of optical fibers 502a-502h is 125 micrometer. In an example, the fiber diameter of the naturally colored optical fibers for the optical fiber ribbon 500 is 250 micrometer. In another example, the fiber diameter for the color coded optical fibers in the optical fiber ribbon 500 is 260 micrometer.

[0058] The inter-fiber distance (shown as d3) for the optical fiber ribbon 500 is 267 micrometer and the fiber separation (shown as s3) for the optical fiber ribbon 500 is 17 micrometer. The ribbon width for the optical fiber ribbon 500 is 2200 micrometer and the fiber ribbon separation for the optical fiber ribbon 500 is 165 micrometer.

[0059] It should be noted that in FIG. 5, the optical fiber ribbon 500 includes eight (8) optical fibers; however those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that more or less number of optical fibers may be present in the optical fiber ribbon 500.

[0060] The first region 106 (shown in FIG. 3) is incompatible for splicing with the optical fiber ribbon owing to dissimilarity in specification of the third region 110 (shown in FIG. 4) and the optical fiber ribbon 500. The incompatibility arises in the splicing owing to difference in the inter-fiber distance between optical fibers. In general, the splicing between two optical fiber ribbons requires alignment between longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of optical fibers 500a-500h.

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates the sectional view of the ribbon connector 100 having a reference optical fiber 104d, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned above, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is identified by the relative position with respect to the longitudinal axis 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the second region 108 of the ribbon connector 100 is inclined at a pre-defined inclination angle with respect to the reference optical fiber 104d of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. The reference optical fiber 104d is the central optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h. In addition, the central optical fiber is selected based on number of fibers in the ribbon connector 100. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central optical fiber is selected from two middle fibers when the number of fibers in the ribbon connector 100 is even. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the center optical fiber is a single middle fiber when the number of the fibers in the ribbon connector 100 is odd.

[0062] Further, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the second region 108 is inclined at the pre-defined inclination angle (?) with respect to the reference optical fiber 104d (as shown in FIG. 9).

[0063] FIG. 7 illustrates the sectional view of the ribbon connector 100 having no reference fiber, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned above, each of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h is identified by the relative position with respect to the longitudinal axis 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the second region 108 of the ribbon connector 200 is inclined at the pre-defined inclination angle with respect to the corresponding plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h in the first region 106 (as shown in FIG. 9).

[0064] Further, it should be noted that in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the ribbon connector 100 includes eight (8) optical fibers; however, those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that the ribbon connector 100 includes more or less than 8 optical fibers. In addition, it may be noted that in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first inter-fiber distance (d1) for the first region 106 is similar to an inter-fiber distance of the standard 200micrometer optical fiber ribbon. The third inter-fiber distance (d2) for the third region 110 is similar to the modified 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon and 250 micrometer standard ribbon; however those skilled in the art would appreciate that the first inter-fiber distance (d1) for the first region 106 is similar to the inter-fiber distance of the standard 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon and the second inter-fiber distance (d2) for the third region 110 is similar to the modified 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon and standard 250 micrometer optical fiber ribbon.

[0065] Further, in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first inter-fiber distance (d1) for the first region 106 is similar to the inter-fiber distance of the standard 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon; however those skilled in the art would appreciate that the first inter-fiber distance of first region 106 can have any standard value. It may be noted that in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the third inter-fiber distance (d2) for the third region 110 is similar to the inter-fiber distance of the modified 200micrometer optical fiber ribbon and standard 250 micrometer ribbon; however those skilled in the art would appreciate that the third inter-fiber distance for the third region 110 can have any standard value.

[0066] The manufacturing process of ribbon connector is a continuous manufacturing process. The first region 106 is formed by holding fibers in the fiber holder and passing the fibers through resins applicator such that it forms first inter-fiber distance. Further, the second region 108 is formed by controlling fiber holder movement and resin flow to form pre-defined inclination angle and followed by forming the third region 110 by holding fibers through fiber holder adjusting the resin flow to form third inter-fiber distance.

[0067] FIG. 8 illustrates a table 800 listing the angle of inclinations of a plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h with respect to the length of second region 108 for the ribbon connector 100 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0068] The table 800 includes the angle of inclination (?1- ?8) of each fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h with respect to the length of the second region 108 of the ribbon connector 100. In an example, ?1 is 0O, ?2 is 4.67O, ?3 is 9.46O, ?4 is 14.03O, ?5 is 18.43O, ?6 is 22.65O, ?7 is 26.56O and ?8 is 30.25O for the length of 60 micrometer of the second region 108 when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber. In another example, ?1 is 0O, ?2 is 0.28O, ?3 is 0.57O, ?4 is 0.85O, ?5 is 1.14O, ?6 is 1.53O, ?7 is 1.71O and ?8 is 2.00O for the length of 10 mm of the second region 108 when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber. In yet another example, ?1 is 0O, ?2 is 0.02O, ?3 is 0.05O, ?4 is 0.08O, ?5 is 0.11O, ?6 is 0.15O, ?7 is 0.17O and ?8 is 0.20O for the length of 100 mm of the second region 108 when the reference fiber 104a is the first optical fiber.

[0069] FIG. 9 illustrates a table 900 listing the angle of inclinations of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h with respect to the length of the second region 108 for the ribbon connector 100. The table 900 includes the angle of inclination (?1-?8) of each fiber of the plurality of optical fibers 104a-104h with respect to the length of the second region 108 of the ribbon connector 100. In addition, the angle of inclinations (?1- ?8) is measured when the reference is either longitudinal axis 102 (as shown in Fig. 7) or the reference fiber is the optical fiber 104d (as shown in Fig. 6).

[0070] In an example, the value of ?1 is -14.03O, ?2 is -9.46O, ?3 is -4.67O, ?4 is 0O, ?5 is 4.67O, ?6 is 9.46O, ?7 is 14.03O and ?8 is 18.43O for the length of 60 micrometer of the second region 108 when the reference is either longitudinal axis 102 (as shown in FIG. 7) or the reference fiber is the optical fiber 104d (as shown in FIG. 6). In another example, ?1 is -0.85O, ?2 is -0.57O, ?3 is -0.28O, ?4 is 0O, ?5 is 0.28O, ?6 is 0.57O, ?7 is 0.85O and ?8 is 1.14O for the length of 10 mm of the second region 108 when the reference is either longitudinal axis 102 (as shown in FIG. 7) or the reference fiber is the optical fiber 104d (as shown in FIG. 6). In yet another example, ?1 is -0.08O, ?2 is -0.05O, ?3 is -0.02O, ?4 is 0 O, ?5 is 0.02O, ?6 is 0.05O, ?7 is 0.08O and ?8 is 0.11O for the length of 100 mm of the second region 108 when the reference fiber is either absent or the reference fiber is the optical fiber 104d.

[0071] The ribbon connector as described in the present disclosure has numerous advantages over the prior art. The ribbon connector has a negligible bending loss. The negligible bending loss is less than or equal to 0.005 dB at operating wavelength of 1550 nanometers for the length of the second region greater than 10mm. The binding material facilitates maintenance of the inclination angles, the first inter-fiber distance and the third inter-fiber distance.

[0072] The ribbon connector is compatible for splicing with the standard 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon, modified 200 micrometer optical fiber ribbon and the standard 250 micrometer optical fiber ribbon. The compatibility arises in the splicing based on the adjustment in the inter-fiber distance that results in proper core and clad alignment. Moreover, a ribbon can be produced having multiple repetitive regions made of a plurality of optical fibers. The ribbon connector can be cut from the ribbon with multiple repetitive connector regions to produce ribbon connector having any desired length of the first, second and the third region and inclination angles as per requirement. For example, the third region of the ribbon connector is extended to another transition region with different inclination angles. Further, the transition region is extended to produce a region similar to the first region. The pattern is alternatively followed for same or different region length to manufacture optical fiber ribbon of desired length.

[0073] Although, embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications, arrangements of components and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0074] Many alterations and modifications of the present disclosure will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications; these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of the disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.

[0075] The foregoing is illustrative of the present disclosure and is not to be constructed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as recited in the claims. The disclosure is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein. While the disclosure has been presented with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.