Passive distribution system using fiber indexing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems and method for deploying a fiber optic network. Distribution devices are used to index fibers within the system to ensure that live fibers are provided at output locations throughout the system. In an example, fibers can be indexed in multiple directions within the system. In an example, fibers can be stored and deployed form storage spools.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An indexing component comprising:
 a payout spool extending between opposite first and second flanges;   a slack storage spool coupled to the first flange of the payout spool so that the payout spool and the slack storage spool have a common axis, the slack storage spool including a third flange spaced from the first flange in an opposite direction from the second flange;   a mounting bracket coupled to the third flange;   an indexing terminal coupled to the mounting bracket, the indexing terminal including a multi-fiber input, a multi-fiber output, and a single-fiber output, the indexing terminals also including a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the indexing terminal that are indexed between the multi-fiber input and the multi-fiber output; and   a fiber optic cable extending between a first end and a second end, the first end being received at the indexing terminal, the fiber optic cable having a first section adjacent the first end wound around the slack storage spool, the fiber optic cable also having a second section adjacent the second end wound around the payout spool;   the mounting bracket and the indexing terminal being configured to rotate in unison with the payout spool during deployment of at least part of the second section of the fiber optic cable.   
     
     
         3 . The indexing component of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the fiber optic cable is terminated at a multi-fiber connector that interfaces with another multi-fiber connector forming the multi-fiber input of the indexing terminal. 
     
     
         4 . The indexing component of  claim 2 , wherein the fiber optic cable extends into the indexing terminal; and wherein the second end of the fiber optic cable is terminated at a multi-fiber connector forming the multi-fiber input of the indexing terminal. 
     
     
         5 . The indexing component of  claim 2 , wherein the payout spool is removable. 
     
     
         6 . The indexing component of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting bracket is configured to secure the indexing terminal to a pole. 
     
     
         7 . The indexing component of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a sleeve having latches configured to secure the indexing terminal to the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         8 . The indexing component of  claim 2 , further comprising a multi-service terminal coupled to the third flange and configured to rotate in unison with the payout spool during deployment of the fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         9 . The indexing component of  claim 8 , wherein the multi-service terminal includes one or more optical power splitters and/or wave division multiplexers. 
     
     
         10 . The indexing component of  claim 8 , further comprising another cable optically coupling the multi-service terminal to the indexing terminal. 
     
     
         11 . An indexing component comprising:
 a multi-fiber input connector defining a plurality of sequential fiber positions;   a first multi-fiber output connector;   a second multi-fiber output connector;   a plurality of first fibers routed from the multi-fiber input connector to the first multi-fiber output connector, the first fibers occupying even numbered ones of the sequential fiber positions of the multi-fiber input connector, the first fibers being indexed at the first multi-fiber output connector; and   a plurality of second fibers routed from the multi-fiber input connector to the second multi-fiber output connector, the second fibers occupying odd numbered ones of the sequential fiber positions of the multi-fiber input connector, the second fibers being indexed at the second multi-fiber output connector.   
     
     
         12 . The indexing component of  claim 11 , wherein the multi-fiber input connector is a hardened multi-fiber connector. 
     
     
         13 . The indexing component of  claim 12 , wherein the first multi-fiber output connector is a hardened multi-fiber connector. 
     
     
         14 . The indexing component of  claim 13 , wherein the second multi-fiber output connector is a hardened multi-fiber connector. 
     
     
         15 . The indexing component of  claim 11 , wherein the multi-fiber input connector is a non-hardened multi-fiber connector. 
     
     
         16 . The indexing component of  claim 15 , wherein the first multi-fiber output connector is a hardened multi-fiber connector. 
     
     
         17 . The indexing component of  claim 16 , wherein the second multi-fiber output connector is a hardened multi-fiber connector. 
     
     
         18 . The indexing component of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second multi-fiber output connectors are non-hardened multi-fiber connectors. 
     
     
         19 . The indexing component of  claim 11 , further comprising a spool about which the a fiber optic cable of the indexing component is wrapped. 
     
     
         20 . The indexing component of  claim 19 , wherein the spool includes a payout spool. 
     
     
         21 . The indexing component of  claim 20 , further comprising a storage spool mounted to the payout spool to rotate in unison with the payout spool, wherein the payout spool is removable while the storage spool remains with the indexing component.