WO2009091457A1

WO2009091457A1 - Optical device holder

Info

Publication number: WO2009091457A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/085871
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhiyong Xu; Junsheng Zhou; Jian Hua Wang; Jingwen Zhong; Thomas E. Bludau; Rutesh D. Parikh; William G. Allen
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2008-01-17
Filing date: 2008-12-08
Publication date: 2009-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2010-07-17
Also published as: CN101487915A

Abstract

An optical device holder can hold an optical component in addition to at least one optical fiber splice. The optical device holder includes a base having a first surface having a device channel and a plurality of splice channels. The optical component such as a splitter or coupler may be secured in the device channel. The splice channels hold splices which connect the optical component into the telecommunication network.

Description

OPTICAL DEVICE HOLDER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for securing and retaining fiber optic splices and at least one other optical device, such as an optical splitter, a wave division multiplexer, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telecommunication networks are increasingly utilizing optical fiber technology to improve the quality of communication because fiber optic networks can handle a higher volume of voice and data transfer than similar sized copper conductor based network. To provide interconnections between widely separated points, splicing is often required to join optical fibers. For example, fiber optic splices are used commonly, in part, to interconnect subscribers to a telecommunication provider, such as a telephone service provider.

Two common types of fiber optic splices are fusion splices and mechanical splices, both generally known in the art of fiber optic technology. In order to maintain the quality of transmission over the spliced connection, fiber optic splices are secured in some manner, such as in an optical device holder, to organize and to prevent undesired agitation, strain and/or damage to the connection. An optical device holder can also be used as an organizer to arrange and identify fiber optic splices during installation and maintenance of the fiber network. Conventional optical device holders may be made of a metal, foam, rubber or plastic material which can be secured in a splice tray in a fiber optic enclosure or a distribution panel.

As optical telecommunication networks reach closer to the end user, passive optical devices are being moved from the central office and large fiber distribution hubs further out into the network where conservation of space and ease of installation are important factors. In conventional distributed passive optical network (PON) for fiber to the premise networks, passive optical devices are placed into telecommunication enclosures and small distribution units in the form of modules which are then fusion or mechanically spliced to an incoming optical fiber in a distribution cable on the input side of the device and to one or more outgoing drop or feeder cables on the output side of the device. This arrangement necessitates at least one splice tray be included in the enclosure or distribution unit in addition to the module containing the passive optical device.

Therefore, a need exists for a way to put the passive device into an enclosure or distribution box optical device holder for securing a higher density of fiber optic splices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an insertable optical device holder is provided. The optical device holder includes a base having a first surface, an optical device channel, and a plurality of fiber optic splice channels. The optical device channel is located on the first surface of the base and configured to hold an optical component. The fiber optic splice channels are also located on the first surface of the base and configured to hold an optical fiber splice.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical device holder assembly includes an insertable optical device holder, an optical device and a first optical fiber splice. The optical device holder includes a base having a first surface wherein an optical device channel and a plurality of fiber optic splice channels are disposed on the first surface of the base. The optical device includes an input fiber, an optical component and an exit fiber and is disposed in the optical device channel. A first optical fiber splice is disposed in one of the at least one fiber optic splice channels, wherein the fiber optic splice connects the input fiber of the optical device to a distribution cable fiber. The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follows more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. IA shows an isometric top view of an optical device holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. IB shows the optical device holder of Fig IA with an optical device and optical splices installed therein. Fig. 2 shows an isometric top view of an alternative optical device holder according to an embodiment of the present invention with an optical device and optical splices installed therein.

Fig. 3 shows an isometric top view of an alternative optical device holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4A shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of an optical device holder of the present invention.

Fig. 4B shows a cross sectional of the optical device holder of Fig. 4A.

Fig. 4C shows an isometric top view of an optical device holder according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4D shows a top view of another alternative embodiment of an optical device holder of the present invention.

Fig. 4E shows a cross sectional of the optical device holder of Fig. 4D.

Fig. 5 shows the use of the optical device holder of Fig 4A and a conventional optical device holder insert with an optical device and optical splices installed therein.

Fig. 6 shows the splice insert arrangement of Fig. 5 installed in a splice tray.

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a fan out part useable in conjunction with the device holder in accordance with the current invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The present invention is directed to a high density optical device holder configured to hold different types of conventional fiber optic splices, including fusion splices, mechanical splices, and passive and/or active optical devices such as splitters, couplers, wave division multiplexer devices, triplexer and the like.

An exemplary embodiment of a novel optical device holder 100 is shown in Figs. IA and IB. Optical device holder 100 may be adapted to receive at least one and passive and/or active optical device and a plurality of either fusion or mechanical splices. Fig. IA shows an optical device holder in accord with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Optical device holder 100 depicted in Fig. 1 includes a base 110 having a shape generally corresponding to a splice holding area in splice trays, such as a generally rectangular or other geometric shape (not shown). The base includes a first surface 102 (shown as the first surface in Fig. 1) and a second surface (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the optical device holder may be rectangular or a parallelogram. At least one latching member 180 can extend from the sides or the second surface of the base to secure the optical device holder 100 in a splice tray (not shown). Alternatively, the device holder may be attached to a splice by another attachment method (e.g. adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, screws, interference fit, etc.). The device holder may alternatively installed in a fiber optic enclosure (e.g. a closure, a terminal, a wall box, a pedestal, a multi dwelling unit, etc.); a fiber distribution point (e.g. a hub, a cabinet, a box or a terminal); or a frame mounted unit (e.g. a tray in rack, a fiber storage rack, or a patch panel).

Optical device holder 100 may include at least one device channel and a plurality of splice channels wherein all of the channels may be substantially parallel to each other. Each device channel 132 may be defined by a plurality of device holders 130. Each device channel can hold a single passive and/or active optical device. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. IA and IB, two pairs of device holders line each device channel. The length and number of partitions associated with each splice channel may vary by design, but should be considered to fall within the scope of the disclosure. The device holders 130 may be grouped opposite each other or the device holders may be staggered to provide a multi-point load on the fiber optic devices. The device holders can be constructed of a resilient material. Each device holder 130 includes a flange 135 formed thereon such that the flanges for a given device holder pair face each other and overhang the device channel that runs between them. These flanges are configured to engage with an optical device when it is inserted in the device channel to securely hold it in place. Each splice channel 122 may be defined by a plurality of arms 120 which extend from the first surface 102 of base 110. Each splice channel 122 can hold an individual fiber optic splice 150 or a single multi-fiber splice device. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. IA and IB, two pairs of arms 120 line each splice channel 122. The length and number of arms associated with each splice channel may vary by design, but should be considered to fall within the scope of the disclosure. The arms 120 may be grouped opposite each other or the arms may be staggered to provide a multi-point load on the fiber optic splice. The arms can be constructed of a resilient material. Each arm 120 includes a hook 125 formed thereon such that the hooks for a given arm pair face each other and overhang the splice channel that runs between them. These hooks are configured to engage with a fiber optic splice when it is inserted in the splice channel 122 to securely hold it in place.

Fig IA shows an optical device holder 100 having four parallel rows of device holders and arms. Two of these rows of device holders and arms are grouped into a doublet having a first row and a second row of device holders and arms. The first row and the second row are offset from each other to increase the packing density of devices and splices that can be held on the optical device holder.

Fig. IB shows an exemplary optical device holder for holding a 1x4 splitter device 140 and 5 optical fiber splices 150, 152. Typically, a splitter device includes an input fiber 142, a splitter 144 and a plurality of exit fibers 146a-146d. One optical fiber splice 150 may be used to splice an optical fiber 160 from a distribution cable or a feeder cable to the input fiber 142. The remaining four optical fiber splices 152 may be used to splice the exit fibers 146 to distribution cables, fiber pigtails, drop cables 170a- 17Od or to other optical fibers of other cables. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. IB, the optical fiber splice 150, 152 is gripped by four hooks 125 one on each arm 120 to secure the fiber optic splice in the splice channel 122. Fig. IB shows how compactly an optical device and associated single fiber fusion splices can be stored using an exemplary embodiment of inventive optical device holder. Only the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers limit the packing density of the splices and devices.

Fig. 2 shows another exemplary optical device holder 200 for holding a 1x16 splitter device, although a 1x8 splitter device 240 is shown. Alternatively, two 1x8, two 1x16 or one 1x32 splitter may be accommodated in the insert of Fig 2 when two splices are stacked in each splice channel. Optical device holder has the capacity to hold up to seventeen optical fiber splices when one splice is placed in each splice channel or thirty four optical splices when two splices are stacked in each splice channel. Nine single fiber fusion splices 250, 252a-252h are shown in separate splice channels in Fig. 2. Typically, a splitter device includes an input fiber 242, a splitter 244 and a plurality of exit optical fibers 246a-246h. One optical fiber splice 250 located in one of the splice channels may be used to splice an optical fiber 160 from a distribution cable or feeder cable to the input fiber 242. The remaining splice channels may be used to splice the exit fibers 246a-246h from the splitter to fiber pigtails, drop cables 270a-270h or other optical fiber cables. Eight of these splice channels are in use in Fig. IB.

Fig. 3 shows another exemplary optical device holder 300 for holding an optical device 340 and a single optical fiber splice 350. The optical fiber splice 350 located in one the splice channel on the first surface 302 of the base 310 of device holder 300 may be used to splice an optical fiber 160 from a distribution cable or feeder cable to the input fiber 342 leading to the splitter 344. A second conventional optical device holder (not shown) may be used to accommodate the splices for the exit fibers 346a-346d from the splitter 344.

Figs. 4A and 4B show another exemplary optical device holder 400 for holding an optical device 444 and a variety of optical splices 450. An advantage of this design is that the craft in the field can use a wide variety of conventional fusion and mechanical splices. For example, a 2.4 mm single fiber fusion splice sleeve, 3.0 mm single fiber fusion splice sleeve, ribbon fiber fusion splice sleeves, and mechanical splice devices, such as 3M™ 2540G Fibrlok™ 250 μm Fiber Splice and 3M™ 2529 Fibrlok™ II Universal Optical Fiber Splice available from 3M Company, St. Paul, MN USA, can be used in accordance with the network design specification with a single device holder rather than having to carry a separate device holder of each different type of fiber optic splice. Optical device holder 400 includes a base 410 having a shape generally corresponding to splice holding area in splice trays. The base includes a first surface 402 and a second surface 404. In a preferred embodiment, the optical device holder may be rectangular or a parallelogram. At least a pair of latching members 480 can extend from the each side or from opposing sides on the second surface of the base to secure the optical device holder 400 in a splice tray.

Optical device holder 400 may include at least one device channel 432 formed along an edge of the optical device holder and a plurality of splice channels 422 A-D distributed across the remaining width of the optical device holder wherein the device channel and splice channels may be substantially parallel to each other. In one exemplary embodiment of an optical device holder 400 shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, separate splice channels are disposed on the first surface 402 of base 410 to secure a variety of optical splices. For example, Fig 4A and 4B show an embodiment of an optical device holder that can accommodate a 2.4 mm single fusion splice channel 422A, 3.0 mm single fusion splice channel 422B, and mechanical splice devices, such as 3M™ 2540G Fibrlok™ 250 μm Fiber Splice channel 422C and 3M™ 2529 Fibrlok™ II Universal Optical Fiber Splice channel 422D, although other optical fiber splices and splice combinations may be used in accordance with the invention and should be considered within the scope of the current invention. Each of the fusion splice channels 422 A, 422B has a pair of U-shaped holders

420A, 420B which are disposed near each end of the 2.4 mm single fusion splice channel 422A and 3.0 mm single fusion splice channel 422B, respectively. The U-shaped holders 420A, 420B may be formed individually or integrally with a common interior wall 42 IB as shown in Fig. 4B. The U-shaped holders may be made of a resilient material to allow the walls 421 A-421 C of the U-shaped holders 420A, 420B to deflect slightly when the splice is inserted into the splice channel. Optionally, small detents 423 may be included on the walls 421 A-421C of the U-shaped holders 420A, 420B to further retain the fusion splice sleeves in the splice channel.

The exemplary optical device holder 400 shown in Fig. 4A-4C shows two methods of securing a mechanical splice into a splice channel. Splice channel 422C may be configured to hold a 3M™ Fibrlok™ 4x4 Optical Fiber Splice 450C or similar splice. Splice channel 422C is in the form of a mote 424 or low wall that is slightly larger in shape than the splice and substantially surrounds the splice when the splice is inserted into the splice channel which it is designed to hold. The mote 424 can include an elevated wall 425 extending longitudinally along one side of splice channel 422C and a pair of spaced apart flexible arms along the opposite longitudinal edge of splice channel 422C. Each arm 426 has a projection 427 at an end thereof to engage with the mechanical splice to hold it in splice channel 422C. The arms deflect slightly during installation of the optical fiber splice 450C and spring back when the splice is fully seated in splice channel. The projection 427 on the end of each arm 426 engage with the top surface 451 of the mechanical splice to retain the splice in splice channel 422C by pressing the splice down against the base 410 of optical device holder 400 and against the elevated wall 425 running along the edge of splice channel 422C.

An alternative exemplary method of holding a mechanical splice is shown in Fig. 4A-4C in conjunction with splice channel 422D. Two posts 428 are located at each end of splice channel 422D. Each post has a barb (not shown) located at the top of each post. The barbs are configured to interconnect with a depression 453 or other surface feature in splice 450D to secure the splice between the opposing posts 428 at either end of splice channel 422D.

The device channel 432 may be defined by a partition 431 along one longitudinal side of the device channel and a plurality of spaced apart, opposing device holders 430 along the opposite longitudinal side of the device channel. Each device channel can hold a single passive and/or active optical device. The device holders can be constructed of a resilient material. Each device holder 430 includes a flange 435 formed thereon and overhang the device channel that runs between them. These flanges are configured to engage with an optical device when it is inserted in the device channel to securely hold it in place.

Figs. 4D and 4E show an alternative embodiment of an optical device holder 400' of optical device holder 400 shown in Figs. 4A-4C. Exemplary optical device holder 400' may include at least one device channel 432' disposed in the center of the optical device holder and a plurality of fusion splice channels 422E-H distributed on either side of the device channel. In one exemplary embodiment of an optical device holder 400' shown in Figs. 4D and 4E, separate splice channels are disposed on the first surface 402 of base 410 to secure a variety of optical splices. The fusion splice channels 422E, 422F of optical device holder 400' are analogous to fusion splice channels 422A, 422B of optical device holder 400 Shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. Mechanical splice channel 422G of optical device holder 400' is analogous to mechanical splice channel 422D of optical device holder 400 Shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. Mechanical splice channel 422H includes a platform 429 to slightly elevate mechanical splice 450C and a plurality of spaced apart, opposing arms 426. Three arms 426 are shown holding mechanical splice 450C in Fig. 4D, although a different number of arms may be used and still be considered within the scope of the current disclosure. Each arm 426 has a projection 427 at an end thereof to engage with the mechanical splice to hold it in splice channel 422C. The arms deflect slightly during installation of the optical fiber splice 450C band spring back when the splice is fully seated in splice channel. The projection 427 on the end of each arm 426 engages with the top surface 451 of the mechanical splice to retain the splice in splice channel 422C by pressing the splice down against the base 410 of optical device holder 400'. The device channel 432' may be defined by a fence 433 which substantially encloses device channel 432' and is slightly larger in shape than the device which it is designed to hold. The fence 433 can include a plurality of spaced apart, opposing device holders 430' extending from the fence, substantially perpendicular to the base 410 of optical device holder 400'. Each of the optical device holders may have a flange 435 formed thereon that overhang the device channel that runs between them. These flanges are configured to engage with an optical device when it is inserted in the device channel to securely hold it in place.

Typically, the optical device holders described here in may be placed in a splice tray, optical distribution unit or an optical network terminal to facilitate the interconnection of fibers from a distribution cable to a plurality of drop cables. Fig. 5 shows an exemplary method of using the optical device holder 400 of Fig. 4A with a conventional optical device holder 500 to connect a fiber from a distribution cable to eight separate fiber drop cables. Conventional splice holder inserts 500 are commercially available as the 3M™ FIBRLOK ™ Splice Inserts 2521 -FL; 3M™ FIBRLOK™ MULTIFIBRLOK™ SPLICE INSERTS 2521 -MF; and 3M™ FUSION SPLICE INSERT 2-PACK 2521 -F available through 3M Company, St. Paul, MN USA, for example. The background structure of the splice tray, optical distribution unit or an optical network terminal has been omitted to facilitate visualization of the fiber connections that can be made.

Fig. 5 shows a splitter device 440 dispose in the optical device channel of optical device holder 400. The optical device includes an input fiber 442, a 1x8 splitter 444 and a fiber ribbon exit cable 446 containing eight separate exit fibers 446A-446H. A mechanical optical fiber splice 450C may be used to splice an optical fiber 160 from a distribution cable or feeder cable to the input fiber 442 of the optical device 440. The exit fibers 446A-446H in the fiber ribbon exit cable 446 are separated and routed to optical device holder insert 500 which has eight additional mechanical splices 552A-552H disposed therein. These splices 552A-552H connect the exit fibers 446A-446H to fiber drop cables 570A-570H or other optical fiber cables. Optionally, a fan out part may be used to manage the exit fibers. Alternatively, the exiting fibers in the ribbon cable may be connected to the drop cables by a multi- fiber fusion splice or by a multi-fiber mechanical splice. The advantage of this fiber routing is that it allows the installation of the optical device in the same tray as the splices used to connect the device to the fiber from the distribution cables and the splices used to connect the fibers exiting the device to drop cables or pigtails which go to the end user or other optical fibers.

In installations where ribbon fiber cables are present in either the distribution fiber cable, drop cables or as a part of the optical device, it may be advantageous to use a fan out part to separate the fibers in the ribbon cable. An example of an exemplary fan out part 700 is shown in detail in Fig. 7. The fan out part 700 may be inserted into one of the splice channels 422 of optical device holder 400, 400'. The fan out part 700 comprises a base 702 and a detachable cover 701 and a base 702, wherein a recess 703 for guiding the ribbon fiber into the fan out part 700 is formed at an end of the base 702. At the end of the base having the recess, a plurality of holes 704 is formed to separate the individual fibers from the ribbon cable. The fibers exit the fan out part through holes 704. Grooves 705 extend longitudinally down the both sides of the base 702. A pair of tabs 706 may be formed at the front end of the cover 701. The tabs 706 can be inserted into the grooves 705 on either side of the base, to form the assembled fan out part 700. During usage, the ribbon fiber is firstly introduced into recess 803. The fibers in the ribbon cable are separated into individual single fibers. Each of the individual fibers is fed through one of the holes 804 until the ribbon cable is seated into the base 702 of fan out part 700. The fan out part 700 is assembled by inserting tabs 706 on the detachable cover 701 into grooves 705 on base 702. The fan out part 700 is locked together when button 707 is snapped into opening 708.

Fig. 6 shows optical device holder insert 400 and the conventional splice insert 500 installed in a splice tray 600. The splice tray 600 comprises a single integrally molded structure and comprises two generally parallel spaced side walls 617 and 618, first 621 and second 622 arcuate end walls, and a bottom wall 623 and an optional cover (not shown). Each tray 600 can accommodate up to 24 fusion or 16 mechanical splices or at least one optical component and up to 12 fusion or 8 mechanical splices with commercially available splice holder inserts. Tray 600 can additionally stores the respective slack fiber with maximum organization in a minimum amount of space without violating a minimum bend radius, for example 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) for conventional fibers and can handle up to 16 buffer tubes or optical fiber cables, four in each opening 630.

The splice tray has a plurality of fiber retaining tabs 626 disposed around the top periphery of the side walls and the arcuate end walls. Additional walls and/or partitions may be added to the splice tray to enhance the routing and management of the optical fibers in the tray. These additional walls may also have additional fiber retaining tabs 628 disposed along their top edge. The fiber retaining tabs 626, 628 extend into the area defined by the inner surfaces of the side and end walls, and are spaced from the bottom wall, for retaining the fibers between the tabs 626, 627 and the bottom wall 623.

Proximate to each corner of the splice tray is an opening 630, formed between each sidewall and each arcuate end wall, through which optical fibers are introduced and exit the casing. Each opening may have a plurality of side -by-side buffer tube or fiber cable receiving channels 634 disposed therein. The channels may be defined by adjacent securing features 636 which are flexible sufficiently to receive a buffer tube between them. The buffer tubes may be secured in the channels by cable ties secured around the securing features, by a mechanical interference fit between the securing features and the buffer tubes or by a snap fit between the securing features and the buffer tubes. The buffer tubes or fiber cables can therefore be retained in the channels without needing any extra tools or parts and the amount of pressure on the buffer tubes of fibers is controlled eliminating the possibility of inducing transmission losses due to over stressing of the fibers. The central area of the splice tray may be provided with at least one optical device storage/fiber splicing area 640. The splice tray in Fig. 6 has two optical device storage/splicing areas 640. Each splice area may be generally rectangular in shape. Along the edges of the optical device storage/splicing area 640 are a plurality of slots (not shown) for receiving the latching members of an insertable optical device holder and/or a conventional splice holder to secure them into the splice tray. A removable optical device holder 400 and a conventional optical device holder 500 may be inserted into that optical device storage/splicing area. The use of splice inserts allows maximum networking flexibility without requiring excessive inventories of splice trays. The capability of installing an optical device into a splice insert further broadens the networking options available to the craftsman in the field.

Splice tray 600 includes the exemplary embodiment of the optical device holder 400 shown Fig 4A in combination with a conventional mechanical splice optical device holder 500. This arrangement can accommodate a 1x8 optical splitter in device holder 400. Alternatively, if the conventional mechanical splice optical device holder 500 is replaced by a standard fusion splice optical device holder, the same configuration can accommodate a 1x4 or a 1x8 optical splitter. Alternatively, splice holder 500 can be replaced by a second optical device holder 400 if the exit fibers of the optical device are connectorized. In this case at least two optical devices may be accommodated in tray 600. Splice tray 600 can be hingedly connected to another splice tray 600A. The hinge can be integral to the splice tray or can be accomplished by hinging the trays to a central support. In the current embodiment, one half of the hinge 650 is disposed on each splice tray 600, 600A which is in turn interconnected with a hinge pin 655. The hinge pin may be integrally molded with the splice tray. The pin can be "punched out" of the tray and inserted into the hinge when the tray is installed in a telecommunication enclosure rack or cabinet.

Alternatively stacked trays may be used in conjunction with the current optical device holder.

Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An insertable fiber optic optical device holder comprising: a base having a first surface; an optical device channel located on the first surface of the base, wherein the optical device channel is configured to hold an optical device; and a plurality of fiber optic splice channels located on the first surface of the base, wherein each the plurality of splice channels are configured to hold an optical fiber splice.

2. The optical device holder of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of device holders on either side of the optical device channel to secure the optical device in the optical device channel.

3. The optical device holder of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of arms on either side of each splice channel to secure the optical fiber splice in the splice channel.

4. The optical device holder of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber splice is one of a mechanical splice, a fusion splice, a multi-fiber mechanical splice, a mass fusion splice and a ribbon cable fusion splice.

5. The optical device holder of claim 1, wherein the optical device is one of an optical splitter, an optical coupler, a wave division multiplexer device, a coarse wave wavelength division multiplexer, a dense wavelength division multiplexer, a triplexer, a laser, a transmitter, a receiver, a photodiode, an optical switch and an optical attenuator.

6. The optical device holder of claim 1 installed in one of a fiber optic enclosure, a distribution point, and a frame mounted unit.

7. A fiber optic splice tray comprising the insertable optical device holder of claim 1 disposed in a splicing region of the splice tray.

8. The fiber optic tray of claim 7 installed in one of a fiber optic enclosure, a distribution point, and a frame mounted unit.

9. The optical device holder of claim 1, further comprising a fan out device disposed in one of the splice channels.

10. An optical device holder assembly comprising: an insertable optical device holder comprising a base having a first surface, an optical device channel located on the first surface of the base, and at least one fiber optic splice channel located on the first surface of the base, an optical device disposed in the optical device channel wherein the optical device includes an input fiber, an optical component and an exit fiber; and a first optical fiber splice disposed in one of the at least one fiber optic splice channels, wherein the fiber optic splice connects the input fiber of the optical device to a distribution cable fiber.

11. The optical device holder assembly of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of device holders on either side of the optical device channel to secure the optical component in the optical device channel.

12. The optical device holder of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of arms on either side of each splice channel to secure the optical fiber splice in the splice channel.

13. The optical device holder of claim 10, wherein the first optical fiber splice is one of a mechanical splice, a fusion splice, a multi-fiber mechanical splice, a mass fusion splice, a ribbon cable fusion splice or a fan out device.

14. The optical device holder of claim 10, wherein the at least one splice channel is capable of holding a fusion splice and further comprising a second splice channel that is capable of holding a mechanical splice.

15. The optical device holder of claim 10, wherein the optical component is one of an optical splitter, an optical coupler, a wave division multiplexer device, coarse wave wavelength division multiplexer, dense wavelength division multiplexer, optical switch and an optical attenuator.

16. The optical device holder of claim 15, comprising a plurality of second optical fiber splices to connect a plurality of exit fibers from the optical device to a plurality of drop cable fibers.

17. A fiber optic splice tray comprising the insertable optical device holder of claim 10 disposed in a splicing region of the splice tray.

18. The splice tray of claim 17, further comprising a splice insert disposed in the splicing region of the splice tray to connect a plurality of exit fibers from the optical device to a plurality of drop cable fibers.

19. The optical device holder of claim 10, further comprising a fan out device disposed in one of the splice channels.

20. The optical device holder of claim 10 installed in one of a fiber optic enclosure, a distribution point, and a frame mounted unit.