| 摘要 |
A plurality of optical fibers (14-14E) are interconnected by using connectors each comprising an optoelectronic device (13-13E) adapted to be connected to an end of each optical fiber for converting optical signals to electrical signals and for converting electrical signals to optical signals. Each connector has a first contact (12-12E) having a cylindrical plug end and a cylindrical socket end located on a common axis and a transverse conductor (21) extending transversely to the axis (20) from the first contact and connected to the optoelectronic device of the connector. The plug end of each contact is adapted to fit snugly within the socket end of another first contact, whereby all of the contacts may be connected and arranged along the common axis. Each of the contacts is free to rotate with respect to other contacts to which it is connected; this permits the various optical fibers to extend in different radial directions from the axis. In a preferred embodiment, each connector further comprises second (23) and third (24) hollow cylindrical contacts surrounding the first contact (22). Hollow cylindrical insulators ( 26, 27) separate and insulate the first, second and third contacts, and appropriate slots permit transverse conductors (29, 31, 32) of the contacts to be connected to the optoelectronic devices (41). In this manner, each connector interconnects electrical ground and power lines, as well as the optical signal lines of the various optical fiber cables (40).
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