Active optical cable assemblies

Abstract

The present disclosure describes active optical cable assemblies. A cable assembly includes a fixed active optical connector having a transceiver, a ruggedized optical fiber cable integrated with the fixed active optical connector, a main cable assembly comprising one or more optical fiber cables, wherein the ruggedized cable is spliced to the main cable assembly; and a removable shroud configured to surround at least a portion of the fixed active optical connector plugged into a remote radio unit and to be secured to a remote radio unit. Active optical cable and remote radio unit systems and kits are also described.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An end cap for an active optical cable assembly, the end cap comprising:
 an outer protective shell surrounding an inner cavity, the outer protective shell having an open end configured to receive a fixed optical connector of the active optical cable assembly,   wherein the inner cavity is sized to fit around the fixed optical connector and configured to form an interference fit therewith.   
     
     
         2 . The end cap according to  claim 1 , further comprising an interior gasket molded within the inner cavity which correspond with an outer profile of the fixed optical connector. 
     
     
         3 . The end cap according to  claim 2 , wherein the interior gasket has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         4 . The end cap according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more securing features configured to engage the active optical cable assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The end cap according to  claim 4 , wherein the one or more securing features extend outwardly in an axial direction from the open end of the end cap 
     
     
         6 . The end cap according to  claim 4 , wherein the one or more securing features are configured to engage a shroud of the active optical cable assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The end cap according to  claim 4 , wherein the one or more securing features comprise a snap-fit feature configured to deflect radially inwardly or outwardly until a protrusion engages with a corresponding feature of the active optical cable assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The end cap according to  claim 1 , further comprising an annular gasket adjacent to the open end. 
     
     
         9 . The end cap according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed optical connector is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical connector. 
     
     
         10 . The end cap according to  claim 1 , in combination with an active optical cable assembly comprising a shroud, wherein the end cap is engaged with the shroud of the active optical cable assembly to secure the end cap to the active optical cable assembly. 
     
     
         11 . An end cap adapted for use with an active optical cable assembly, the end cap comprising:
 a main body including one or more sidewalls, a closed end, and an opposing open end, the one or more sidewalls and closed end of the main body defining an inner cavity,   wherein the inner cavity is sized and configured to receive a fixed optical connector of the active optical cable assembly inserted through the open end of the main body.   
     
     
         12 . The end cap according to  claim 11 , wherein the inner cavity corresponds with an outer profile of the fixed optical connector. 
     
     
         13 . The end cap according to  claim 11 , further comprising one or more securing features configured to engage the active optical cable assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The end cap according to  claim 13 , wherein the one or more securing features are configured to engage a shroud of the active optical cable assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The end cap according to  claim 11 , wherein the fixed optical connector is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver. 
     
     
         16 . The end cap according to  claim 11 , wherein the main body is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         17 . The end cap according to  claim 11 , in combination with an active optical cable assembly comprising a shroud, wherein the end cap is engaged with the shroud of the active optical cable assembly to secure the end cap to the active optical cable assembly. 
     
     
         18 . An active optical cable assembly kit, the kit comprising:
 an active optical cable assembly, the active optical cable assembly comprising a fixed active optical connector and a shroud; and   an end cap, the end cap comprising a main body having one or more sidewalls, a closed end, and an opposing open end, the one or more sidewalls and closed end of the main body defining an inner cavity,   wherein the inner cavity of the end cap is sized and configured to receive the fixed optical connector of the active optical cable assembly and the main body is configured to engage the shroud of the active optical cable assembly to secure the end cap thereto.   
     
     
         19 . The active optical cable assembly kit according to  claim 18 , wherein the fixed optical connector is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical connector. 
     
     
         20 . The active optical cable assembly kit according to  claim 18 , wherein the end cap further comprising one or more securing features configured to engage with the shroud of the active optical cable assembly to secure the end cap thereto.