Fiber optic cables and assemblies and the performance thereof

Abstract

A fiber optic drop cable includes an optical fiber, a tight buffer layer on the optical fiber, at least one strength member, and a jacket surrounding the tight buffer layer. The jacket is coupled to the at least one strength member by at least partial embedment of at least one of the strength members in the jacket, which facilitates coupling between the jacket and strength member. The fiber optic drop cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.4 dB or less at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers with the fiber optic cable wrapped 2 turns about a 7.5 millimeter diameter mandrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fiber optic drop cable, comprising:
 an optical fiber;   at least one strength member;   a jacket surrounding the optical fiber, wherein the jacket comprises a bend radius control mechanism for protecting the optical fiber by inhibiting damage and breaking of the optical fiber as the cable is bent into small bend radii while still providing a highly flexible cable, wherein the bend radius control mechanism maintains a minimum bend diameter for the optical fiber;   wherein the fiber optic drop cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.4 dB or less at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers with the fiber optic cable wrapped 2 turns about a 7.5 millimeter diameter mandrel.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic drop cable of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum bend diameter is about two times the radius of the cable. 
     
     
         3 . A fiber optic cable, comprising:
 optical fibers, wherein the optical fibers are arranged side-by-side as part of a ribbon structure where the optical fibers are enclosed or encased in a matrix around the optical fibers;   at least one strength member;   a jacket surrounding the optical fibers, wherein the jacket is coupled to the at least one strength member by at least partial embedment of at least one of the strength members in the jacket, thereby facilitating coupling between the jacket and strength member;   wherein the fiber optic drop cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.4 dB or less at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers with the fiber optic cable wrapped 2 turns about a 7.5 millimeter diameter mandrel.   
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic cable of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one strength member comprises strength members, and wherein the jacket is coupled with the strength members due to friction caused by partial embedment of the strength members in the jacket.