Shipborne telecommunication network and ship incorporating such a telecommunication network

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a shipboard telecommunication network and a ship comprising such a telecommunication network, wherein the telecommunication network has a chain-type physical configuration and a star-type logical configuration, and the telecommunication network comprises at least one optical fiber living area local distribution network (10), which is operatively connected to one of a plurality of main distribution centers of the network. The at least one optical fiber living area local distribution network (10) comprises: a plurality of cabin deck distribution points, at least one of a plurality of horizontal cabin distribution points (34). The plurality of horizontal cabin distribution points (34) have: a first output optical fiber; a subsequent output optical fiber. The shipboard telecommunication network is as flexible and redundant as possible, and can also adapt to possible technological developments in a short time, so the cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to naval sectors, and in particular to a shipboard telecommunication network and a ship comprising such a telecommunication network. Background Art

[0002] Today, onboard telecommunication networks are a very important aspect in ships since they allow communication between most, if not all, of the different areas of the ship, be it accommodation areas (cabins) or non-accommodation areas (engine rooms, decks, cargo holds), which are now a fundamental requirement in terms of efficiency, safety and quality of the services provided.

[0003] However, in order to be able to reach different areas of the ship, even very large ships such as cruise ships, a network architecture with very invasive cabling is required, especially in the living areas which may include even hundreds of cabins, which requires long installation times and sometimes excessive presence of intermediate distribution devices or panels, resulting in increased costs.

[0004] Furthermore, the current telecommunication network prevents even a late definition of the location / quantity of utilities, even in areas outside those used for living, thus showing low flexibility.

[0005] Furthermore, in the event of a failure, it remains difficult today to provide a sufficient level of redundancy for wired resources to enable rapid and not overly intrusive intervention in the existing wiring.

[0006] Finally, current telecommunication networks have the main limitation of not being easily adaptable in the event of technological developments, without significant intervention in the already installed shipboard structures, possibly replacing installations and / or panels, without even reviewing all the existing wiring, with the result that intervention times are certainly long and the associated costs are very high.

[0007] In view of this, the need is strongly felt to provide a shipboard telecommunication network which is as flexible as possible and easily adaptable to the number of utilities required, even if this number is determined only at the last minute, and which can easily be adapted to any technological developments at low cost, at least in the near future. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to design and provide a shipboard telecommunication network which allows to at least partially eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art, in particular being as flexible and redundant as possible and also being able to adapt to possible technological developments in a short time, thus at a low cost.

[0009] This purpose is achieved through the onboard telecommunication network.

[0010] The invention also relates to a vessel comprising such a telecommunication network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Other features and advantages of the onboard telecommunication network according to the invention and of such a vessel will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given by way of indicative, non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 Schematically illustrating an example of a ship in which the onboard telecommunication network according to the present invention may be used;

[0013] Figure 2 The onboard telecommunication network according to the invention is shown by means of a simplified block diagram;

[0014] Figure 3a , Figure 3b and Figure 3c The simplified block diagram shows Figure 2 A more detailed section of the shipboard telecommunications network;

[0015] Figure 4 The simplified block diagram shows Figure 3b and Figure 3c The connection mode between the components schematically shown in FIG.

[0016] Figure 5a and Figure 5b A simplified block diagram is shown Figure 2 Further details of the shipboard telecommunications network;

[0017] Figure 6 Show Figure 1 an enlarged view of a portion of an example of a ship, and

[0018] Figure 7 express Figure 2 A simplified block diagram of Figure 6 Some references used in .

[0019] It should be noted that in the accompanying drawings, like or similar elements will be indicated by like numerical or alphanumeric references. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] With reference to the above figures, a shipboard telecommunication network according to the present invention will now be described.

[0021] Figure 1 An example of a vessel is shown in FIG. 1 , which is indicated as a whole by reference numeral 100 .

[0022] For the purposes of this description, a "vessel" is any vessel that can be used for cruising, recreational and tourist services (e.g. Figure 1 cruise ships as shown), or any ship that could be used for military purposes.

[0023] The onboard telecommunication network 1 may actually be installed on the vessel 100 .

[0024] Specific reference Figure 6 , extending longitudinally of the vessel 100 parallel to a horizontal reference plane PR, which, for example, represents the horizontal plane of the body of water in which the vessel 100 is immersed.

[0025] The vessel 100 includes a plurality of decks D1 to D4 , each of which extends longitudinally parallel to a horizontal reference plane PR of the vessel 100 .

[0026] Furthermore, the vessel 100 comprises a plurality of vertical zones VZ1 to VZ4, each of which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR, parallel to which the vessel 100 extends longitudinally.

[0027] A plurality of vertical zones VZ1 to VZ4 are separated from one another by fire bulkheads, for example.

[0028] Each deck of the plurality of decks D1 to D4 extends parallel to a horizontal reference plane PR, the vessel 100 extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR and includes one or more vertical zones of the plurality of vertical zones VZ1 to VZ4.

[0029] Each of the plurality of vertical zones VZ1 to VZ4 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR parallel to which the vessel 100 extends longitudinally and includes one or more of the plurality of decks D1 to D4.

[0030] In the accompanying drawings (except Figure 1 In the outside), reference numeral 1 indicates that the onboard telecommunication network according to the present invention as a whole is also hereinafter referred to as just a telecommunication network or simply a network.

[0031] As will be reiterated below, the onboard telecommunication network 1 has a chain-type physical configuration and a star-type logical configuration.

[0032] Furthermore, from a physical point of view, the shipboard telecommunication network 1 extends vertically within a vertical region of a plurality of vertical regions VZ1 to VZ4 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR, the vessel 100 extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR, and the shipboard telecommunication network 1 extends horizontally along decks of a plurality of decks D1 to D4 parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR, the decks intersecting the vertical regions within which the telecommunication network 1 extends vertically, and the vessel 100 extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR.

[0033] For example, refer to Figure 7 The telecommunication network 1 extends vertically within the vertical zone VZ1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR and extends horizontally along the decks D1, D2 and D3 parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR, parallel to which the vessel 100 extends longitudinally.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 2 The onboard telecommunication network 1 connects one or more main distribution centers 30 with a plurality of public utilities UT.

[0035] The main distribution center (hardware and software) contains servers, audio / video sources, and data processing terminals.

[0036] Utility UTs may be data sockets for PCs, Power over Ethernet phones and cameras (PoE), Wi-Fi transmitters and anything that can normally be installed in a conventional ship's network.

[0037] According to the invention, the telecommunication network 1 is a Passive Optical Network (PON).

[0038] The PON telecommunications network includes only a portion of the integrated network from the main distribution center 30 to the utility UT (ie, specifically, the backbone and branches of the network).

[0039] Data centers are not included in telecommunications networks.

[0040] Specifically, the PON telecommunication network is implemented using GPON / XG-PON / XGS-PON broadband optical fiber network technologies and some traditional local area network protocols (LAN).

[0041] Specifically refer to Figure 2 The network 1 includes at least one optical fiber living area local distribution network 10, which is operatively connected to a main distribution center 30 among multiple main distribution centers of the network 1.

[0042] It should be noted that, depending on the topology of the vessel 100 and the positioning of the plurality of main distribution centers 30 , there may be a main distribution center 30 without a living area local distribution network 10 operatively connected to the main distribution center 30 .

[0043] “Accommodation Area” means that area of ​​a vessel where there are cabins for passengers and / or crew.

[0044] In addition to the main distribution centre 30 , a plurality of distribution centres not shown in the figure are the so-called backbone of the onboard telecommunication network 1 .

[0045] The optical fiber backbone has an optical fiber mesh network topology in which each node is represented by a main distribution center among a plurality of distribution centers.

[0046] In the figure, the optical fiber mesh network including a plurality of main distribution centers is not shown, and the only components shown are nodes represented by distribution centers indicated by reference numeral 30 .

[0047] In this respect, each main distribution center is also known by the acronym MDF for “Main Distribution Frame”.

[0048] Each distribution center comprises at least one optical line terminal device, which is also known by the acronym OLT for “Optical Line Terminal”.

[0049] according to Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, in combination with the previous embodiment, the network 1 further comprises at least one non-living area local distribution network 20 , which is operably connected to a main distribution center 30 among the plurality of network distribution centers 1 .

[0050] “Non-living area” refers to one of the non-living (passenger and / or crew cabin) areas on a vessel, such as an engine room, connecting deck, control room, cargo hold, etc.

[0051] It should be noted that depending on the topology of the vessel 100 and the positioning of the plurality of main distribution centers 30 , there may be a main distribution center 30 without a non-living area local distribution network 20 operably connected thereto.

[0052] At least one non-living area local distribution network 20 will be described below.

[0053] Specifically, now also refer to Figure 3a , Figure 3b and Figure 3cAt least one optical fiber living area local distribution network 10 includes a plurality of cabin deck distribution points 31, which are divided into subgroups S1 to SN.

[0054] These devices are also known by the acronym ADP for "Accomodation Deck Distribution Point".

[0055] Each subgroup of cabin deck distribution points 31 is distributed along cabin vertical distribution columns M1 to MM.

[0056] It should be noted that the cabin vertical distribution columns M1 to MM refer to columns extending vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR so as to reach more cabins of decks among multiple decks D1 to D4 present inside the vertical zone VZ1, within which the telecommunication network 1 extends.

[0057] Therefore, the cabin vertical distribution columns M1 to MM extend vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR, and the ship 100 on which the network 1 can be installed extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR.

[0058] It should be noted that Figure 2 In the figure, only one cabin vertical column M1 is shown, the interior of which includes a subgroup S1 of cabin deck distribution points among a plurality of cabin deck distribution points 31 .

[0059] exist Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 3c In the figure, five cabin vertical columns M1, M2, ..., MM (i.e., M=5) are shown, and each cabin vertical column includes a corresponding subgroup of cabin deck distribution points among multiple cabin deck distribution points 31, and the corresponding subgroup is indicated by S1, S2, ..., SN (i.e., N=5).

[0060] like Figure 2 and Figure 3a As shown, the first cable 32 of each cabin vertical distribution column M1 to MM is operatively connected to the main distribution center 30 and terminates at the first cabin deck distribution point of the corresponding subset S1 to SN of the cabin deck distribution points 31.

[0061] It should be noted that the first cable of the cabin vertical distribution riser is also known by the acronym ARFC for "Accomodation Riser first Cable".

[0062] The cabin deck distribution points of the subgroup S1 to SN of cabin deck distribution points are interconnected to each other in a serial chain configuration (daisy chain physical configuration) by means of respective further cables 33 of the cabin vertical distribution column chain.

[0063] Another cable 33 of the accommodation riser chain extends vertically along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR, and the ship 100 extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR.

[0064] Another cable 33 of the accommodation riser chain is also known by the acronym ARCC, which stands for "Accommodation Riser Chain Cable".

[0065] Another cable 33 of the accommodation riser chain is, for example, a pre-connected 12×MPO-MPO (acronym from "Multifiber Push On") or 12×MTP-MTP (acronym from "Multifiber Termination Push On") having a set number of available optical fibers, as will be described by numerical examples below.

[0066] It should be noted that, as will be reiterated below, any excess optical fibers can be considered spare.

[0067] At least one optical fiber local area distribution network 10 for the living area also includes a plurality of horizontal accommodation distribution points DO-CN j (at least one of) 34 where 1 < j < M.

[0068] It should be noted that the plurality of horizontal accommodation distribution points DO-CN j (1 < j < M) 34 refers to a plurality of distribution points that extend horizontally along a single deck between those located in the vertical region VZ1, parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR, within which the telecommunication network 1 extends.

[0069] Therefore, the plurality of horizontal accommodation distribution points DO-CN j (1 < j < M) 34 extend parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR, and the ship 100 extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR.

[0070] It should be noted that each of the plurality of horizontal accommodation distribution points 34 shows a technical cabin compartment in which a cabin distribution cabinet CDC (acronym from "Cabin Distribution Cabinet") is provided, and the cabin compartment also includes an optical network terminal device ONT (acronym from "Optical Network Terminal").

[0071] Therefore, the input and output ports of the device ONT are available for each horizontal accommodation distribution point (technical compartment).

[0072] As Figure 4 shown, each horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN j (1 < j < M) has a plurality of input optical fibers F-IN i (1 < i < N), and a second plurality of output optical fibers F-OT i (1 < i < N), and each input optical fiber among the plurality of input optical fibers enters a corresponding input connector C-IN i (1 < i < N) among the plurality of input connectors, and each output optical fiber among the second plurality of output optical fibers leaves a corresponding output connector C-OT i (1 < i < N) among the plurality of output connectors.

[0073] The first horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN1 corresponds to one of the cabin deck distribution points 31, and the plurality of input optical fibers F-IN i (1 < i < N) of the cabin deck distribution point 31 are adapted to receive corresponding optical signals P-OS.

[0074] The plurality of horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN j (1 < j < M) 34 of the horizontal cabin distribution points have a first output optical fiber F-OT1 connected to a connector UC of a utility UT arranged downstream, so as to transmit the optical signal received on the first input optical fiber F-IN1 to the connector UC of the utility UT.

[0075] According to the type of the connector provided at the input of the utility UT, the connector UC of the utility UT can be a connector of SC (standard connector) type or a connector of LC (Lucent Connector) type.

[0076] The utility UT is a cabin in which normal LAN utilities (such as TV, telephone, WiFi access point or courtesy data socket) can be connected downstream of an optical network terminal device ONT, and the optical network terminal device ONT is connected to the input connector UC (connector of SC type or LC type) of the utility UT.

[0077] In addition, such a plurality of horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN j (1 < j < M) 34 of the horizontal cabin distribution points have subsequent output optical fibers F-OT i (2 < i < N) (i.e., any optical fiber other than the first optical fiber) each to be respectively connected to a corresponding input connector C-IN of a horizontal cabin distribution point arranged downstream i-1 (2 < i < N), so as to transmit the optical signal on the input optical fiber F-IN i(1 < i < N) The optical signals received are transmitted to the input connector C-IN of the downstream horizontal cabin distribution point i-1 .

[0078] That is to say, the output optical fibers are staggered from time to time to pass through one horizontal cabin distribution point to the next, namely:

[0079] - The first optical fiber is connected to the connector UC (SC type or LC type) of the utility UT;

[0080] - The second optical fiber, the third optical fiber, the fourth optical fiber, etc. respectively become the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, the third optical fiber, etc. of the downstream horizontal cabin distribution points.

[0081] Therefore, except for the first horizontal cabin distribution point, any other horizontal cabin distribution point has one or more disconnected output optical fibers. Although these output optical fibers are connected one by one to the subsequent cabin distribution points, they thus remain unused (i.e., they do not transmit any optical signals). The first horizontal cabin distribution point transmits optical signals on all corresponding output optical fibers by being connected one by one to the subsequent horizontal cabin distribution points.

[0082] The spare optical fibers for transmitting optical signals represent redundant optical fibers that may be used in case of failure.

[0083] Ideally, the horizontal cabin distribution points (technical cabin compartments) connect the technical cabin compartments to another connection (for example, in groups of a set maximum number (for example, 12) of technical cabin compartments).

[0084] It should be noted that the first horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN1 (corresponding to one of the cabin deck distribution points 34) is connected to the second horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN2 by the first cabin horizontal distribution cable 32', which is also called AHFC (acronym from "Accommodation Horizontal First Cable").

[0085] The following horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN i (2 < i < N) are interconnected with each other in a serial chain configuration (also called daisy chain) by the corresponding additional cables 33' of the horizontal distribution chain.

[0086] The additional cables 33' of the horizontal distribution chain extend parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR, and the ship 100 extends longitudinally parallel to this horizontal reference plane.

[0087] Another cable 33' of the horizontal cabin distribution chain is also referred to as AHCC (acronym from "Accommodation Horizontal Chain Cable").

[0088] Reference Figure 4 , in the case of N = 5 and M = 4, it can be noted that, for example, multiple horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN j (1 < j < 4) The connector DO-CN2 of 34 has a first output optical fiber F-OT1 connected to a connector UC (e.g., SC type or LC type) of a utility UT arranged downstream, so as to transmit an optical signal received on a first input optical fiber F-IN1 to the connector UC of the utility UT.

[0089] In addition, the horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN2 among multiple horizontal cabin distribution points 34 has subsequent output optical fibers F-OT i (2 < i < N) (i.e., any optical fiber other than the first optical fiber), each to be respectively connected to a corresponding input connector C-IN of a horizontal cabin distribution point (DO-CN3) arranged downstream i-1 (2 < i < N), so as to transmit an optical signal received on an input optical fiber F-IN i (1 < i < N) to the input connector C-IN of a horizontal cabin distribution point (DO-CO3) arranged downstream i-1 .

[0090] More specifically:

[0091] - The second output optical fiber F-OT2 of DO-CN2 is connected to the first input connector C-IN1 of DO-CN3, so as to transmit an optical signal received on the first input optical fiber F-IN1 of DO-CN3 to the first input connector C-IN1 of DO-CN3;

[0092] - The third output optical fiber F-OT3 of DO-CN2 is connected to the second input connector C-IN2 of DO-CN3, so as to transmit an optical signal received on the second input optical fiber F-IN2 of DO-CN3 to the second input connector C-IN2 of DO-CN3;

[0093] - The fourth output optical fiber F-OT4 of DO-CN2 is connected to the third input connector C-IN3 of DO-CN3, so as to transmit an optical signal received on the third input optical fiber F-IN3 of DO-CN3 to the third input connector C-IN3 of DO-CN3;

[0094] - The fifth output optical fiber F-OT5 of DO-CN2 is connected to the fourth input connector C-IN3, but this fifth output optical fiber F-OT5 is not used for the transmission of any optical signal received in the input of the first horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN1.

[0095] according to Figure 3a In the illustrated embodiment, in combination with the previous embodiments, at least one living area local distribution network 10 comprises a plurality of splitters (optical distributors) SP, which are operatively connected to a main distribution center 30 .

[0096] Splitters are passive devices (ie, they do not require a power source) that are capable of splitting an input fiber (or two input fibers) into several output fibers by symmetrically dividing the optical signal power.

[0097] Thus, a splitter divides an input optical line (or two optical lines) into several secondary lines for distribution towards other devices, thereby forming cascaded branches.

[0098] In more detail, each splitter SP is suitable for receiving at input a corresponding optical signal S-OT (or a plurality of corresponding optical signals S-OT) distributed on a corresponding distribution line LD by an optical line terminal 30' (OLT) of a main distribution centre 30, through a corresponding connector C-SP (or two connectors C-SP) of the SC (standard connector) or LC (Lucent connector) type, for example.

[0099] Each splitter SP is adapted to split a received respective optical signal S-OT (or a plurality of respective optical signals S-OT) into a plurality of optical signals P-OS.

[0100] It should be noted that the division of each splitter SP takes place according to a ratio of 1:N in the case of one input fiber (or 2:N in the case of two input fibers), for example N=16.

[0101] Figure 3a A splitter SP having a division ratio of 1:N (N=16) is shown.

[0102] The plurality of optical signals P-OS provided by the plurality of splitters SP are spread over the plurality of optical fibers 35 .

[0103] According to one embodiment, in combination Figure 3a In the previous illustrated embodiment, at least one fiber optic living area local distribution network 10 further includes a plurality of fiber optic grouping connections 36 .

[0104] Each of the multiple fiber grouping connections 36 is a group consisting of a set number of fiber groups among the multiple optical fibers 35. The fiber grouping connection 36 is, for example, a pre-connected optical cable having multiple SC type connectors or multiple LC type connectors at one end and an MPO type connector or an MTP type connector at the other end.

[0105] Specifically, the grouping of optical fibers occurs only at the terminal of an optical fiber cable equipped with a plurality of connectors, each of which in turn groups a set number of optical fibers.

[0106] Thus, each connector groups the optical fibers, and only at the termination point of the optical fiber cable.

[0107] In an example where each splitter has a division ratio of 1:16, each fiber grouping connection groups 12 optical fibers into one group.

[0108] In fact, in this example, the connection is a 12-fiber connection 12 LC-MPO.

[0109] Referring again to the described embodiment, the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections 36 are further grouped into subgroups, each of which is located inside a corresponding first cable 32 of the cabin vertical distribution columns M1 to MM.

[0110] As already mentioned above, the grouping of optical fibers is only at the terminal end of the optical fiber cable and is associated with the fact that a limited number of individual optical fibers can be plugged into the connector present at the terminal end of the optical fiber cable.

[0111] Thus, the connectors present at the termini of fiber optic cables allow the optical fibers to be grouped.

[0112] Each subset of the fiber grouping connections of the plurality of connections 32 includes a set number of connections.

[0113] Thus, each cable 32 of the cabin vertical distribution columns M1 to MM has a set number of optical fibers available within it.

[0114] In an example where the division ratio of each splitter is 1:16 and each fiber group connection groups 12 optical fibers into one group, each subgroup of the fiber group connection is grouped into, for example, 12 fiber group connections.

[0115] Thus, according to this example, each cable 32 of the cabin vertical distribution columns M1 to MM has a total of 144 available optical fibers.

[0116] According to this example, the further cables 33 of the cabin vertical distribution column chain are, for example, pre-connected 12×MPO-MPO or 12×MTP-MTP with 144 available optical fibers.

[0117] Any excess fiber can be considered spare.

[0118] According to a further embodiment, in combination with any of the embodiments described above, it is reiterated that the network 1 comprises at least one non-living area local area distribution network 20 operatively connected to a main distribution center 30 among a plurality of distribution centers of the network 1 .

[0119] At least one non-living area local distribution network 20 comprises a plurality of non-living area deck distribution cabinets 21, also called ODCs (from the acronym “Other area deck Distribution Cabinet”), which are divided into subgroups A1 to AN.

[0120] It should be noted that each ODC includes an Optical Network Unit (ONU).

[0121] Each subgroup of the non-living area deck distribution cabinets is distributed along the non-living area vertical distribution columns R1 to RN.

[0122] It should be noted that the non-living area vertical distribution columns R1 to RN refer to columns extending vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR so as to reach more decks among the multiple decks D1 to D4 present in the vertical zone VZ1 in which the telecommunication network 1 extends.

[0123] Therefore, the non-living area vertical distribution columns R1 to RN extend vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR, and the vessel 100 on which the network 1 can be installed extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR.

[0124] It should be noted that Figure 2 Only one non-living area vertical column R1 is shown, which includes a subgroup A1 of non-living area deck vertical distribution cabinets among multiple non-living area deck vertical distribution cabinets 21.

[0125] Figure 5a , Figure 5b Five non-living area vertical columns R1, R2, ..., RM (M=5) are shown, and each vertical column includes a corresponding subgroup of non-living area deck distribution cabinets of multiple non-living area distribution cabinets 21, represented by A1, A2, ..., AN (N=5).

[0126] like Figure 2 and Figure 5a As shown, the first cable 22 of each non-living area vertical distribution column R1 to RM is operatively connected to the main distribution center 30 and terminates in the first non-living area deck distribution cabinet of the corresponding subset A1 to AN of the non-living area deck distribution cabinets 21.

[0127] It should be noted that the first cable 22 of the non-living area vertical distribution column is also called ORFC, from the acronym of "Other Areas Riser First Cable".

[0128] The non-living area deck distribution cabinets of the subset A1 to AN of non-living area deck distribution cabinets are interconnected to each other in a series chain configuration (referred to as a daisy-chain physical configuration) by respective further cables 23 of the non-living area vertical distribution column chain.

[0129] The further cables 23 of the non-living area vertical distribution column chain extend vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR parallel to which the vessel 100 extends longitudinally.

[0130] The additional cable 23 of the non-living area vertical distribution riser chain is also referred to as ORCC, from the acronym "Other area Riser Chain Cable".

[0131] The further cables 23 of the non-living area vertical distribution column chain are, for example, pre-connected 12×MPO-MPO with a set number of available optical fibers, as will be described below by way of numerical example.

[0132] It should be noted that, as will be reiterated below, any excess optical fiber may be considered spare.

[0133] Each deck distribution cabinet in non-living areas is suitable for distributing optical signals to utilities (in Figure 2 Indicated by reference numeral UT).

[0134] In more detail, each utility UT comprises a corresponding connector (or interface) UC (SC type or LC type), from which an optical signal is received, and which connector (or interface) UC is in turn connected to a corresponding optical network terminal device ONT, downstream of which a normal LAN utility such as a TV, a telephone, a camera, a computer, a WiFi access point or a gated data socket can be connected.

[0135] like Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, each utility corresponds to one or more SC type (standard connector) or LC type (Lucent connector) connectors UC, and each connector corresponds to a high-density network terminal device ONT supporting multiple conventional LAN utilities.

[0136] In addition, if Figure 5a and Figure 5bAs shown, at least one non-living area local distribution network 10 may include a plurality of ODC groups, which are indicated by labels ODC1 to ODCN, each ODC group including one or more non-living area vertical distribution cabinets of a plurality of non-living area vertical distribution columns.

[0137] according to Figure 5a In the illustrated embodiment, in combination with the previous embodiments, at least one non-living area local distribution network 20 comprises a plurality of splitters (optical distributors) SP′ operatively connected to a main distribution center 30 .

[0138] In more detail, each splitter SP' is suitable for receiving at the input a corresponding optical signal S-OT (or a corresponding optical signal S-OT) distributed on a corresponding distribution line LD' by an optical line terminal 30' (OLT) of a main distribution center 30 through a corresponding connector C-SP' (or two connectors C-SP') of, for example, SC (standard connector) type or LC (Lucent connector) type.

[0139] Each splitter SP' is adapted to split the received respective optical signal S-OT (or respective optical signals S-OT) into a plurality of optical signals P-OS.

[0140] It should be noted that the division by each splitter SP' occurs in the ratio 1:N in the case of one input fiber (or 2:N in the case of two input fibers), for example N=16.

[0141] Figure 5a A splitter SP with a division ratio of 1:N is shown, wherein N=16.

[0142] The plurality of optical signals P-OS provided by the plurality of splitters SP′ are spread over the plurality of optical fibers 24 .

[0143] According to an embodiment, the combination is still Figure 5a In the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , at least one non-living area local distribution network 20 further includes a plurality of optical fiber packet connections 25 .

[0144] Each of the multiple fiber grouping connections 25 is, for example, a pre-connected cable having multiple SC type or LC type connectors at one end and an MPO type or MTP type connector at the other end, which groups a set number of optical fibers 24 into one group.

[0145] In an example where the division ratio of each splitter is 1:16, each fiber grouping connection groups 12 optical fibers into one group.

[0146] Actually, in this example, the connection is 12 fiber connections 12 LC-MPO.

[0147] Referring again to the described embodiment, the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections 25 are in turn grouped into sub-groups, each sub-group being located within a corresponding first cable 22 of the non-living area vertical distribution risers R1 to RM.

[0148] Each subset of optical fiber grouping connections of the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections 25 comprises a set number of connections.

[0149] Therefore, each cable 32 of the non-living area vertical distribution columns M1 to MM has a set number of optical fibers that can be used therein.

[0150] In an example where the division ratio of each splitter is 1:16 and each fiber group connection groups 12 optical fibers into one group, the subgroups of each fiber group connection are grouped into, for example, 12 fiber group connections.

[0151] Thus, according to this example, each cable 22 of the non-living area vertical distribution risers R1 to RM has a total of 144 available optical fibers.

[0152] According to this example, the further cables 23 of the non-living area vertical distribution riser chain are, for example, pre-connected 12×MPO-MPO or 12×MTP-MTP with 144 available optical fibers.

[0153] Any excess fiber can be considered spare.

[0154] In general, referring again to the at least one local cabin distribution network 10, as described above, each of the plurality of horizontal cabin distribution points 34 shows a technical cabin compartment provided with a cabin distribution cabinet CDC, which in turn comprises an optical network terminal device ONT.

[0155] Thus, for each technical compartment compartment, ports of an equipment ONT are available which, according to an embodiment, comprises 8 GE (PoE) ports and 2 POTS ports (3 telephones can also be managed in parallel - the same number).

[0156] A typical configuration of a common technical room in a cabin could be as follows:

[0157] -GE#1TV Cabin #1;

[0158] -GE#2 (PoE) WiFi in cabin #1;

[0159] -GE#3 (PoE) online door lock compartment #1;

[0160] -GE#4 spare;

[0161] -GE#5TV Cabin #2;

[0162] -GE#6 (PoE) WiFi in cabin #2;

[0163] -GE#7 (PoE) online door lock compartment #2;

[0164] -GE#8 spare;

[0165] -POTS #1 telephone cabin #1 (up to 3 in parallel);

[0166] -POTS #2 Telephone compartment #2 (up to 3 in parallel).

[0167] Optionally, the spare port can be used for up to two utilities in a VoIP phone or channel.

[0168] It should be noted that for the so-called fire protection zone / living deck area, spare optical fibers of the horizontal cabin distribution points (ONT equipment) can be used or additional horizontal cabin distribution points (ONT equipment) can be introduced, which are connected to each other as described above with reference to the horizontal cabin distribution points (ONT equipment) in the technical cabin compartment, that is, connected in a serial chain configuration (daisy chain configuration), wherein the output optical fiber is connected towards the standard connector SC and the other output optical fibers are connected in sequence at the next horizontal cabin distribution point ONT.

[0169] Alternatively, it is possible (if the number of utilities is large) to serve utilities outside the cabin with dedicated distribution from the ODC equipment or with additional CDC equipment.

[0170] As mentioned above, another object of the present invention is a vessel 100 comprising a telecommunication network 1 according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0171] It is noteworthy that the objects of the invention are fully achieved.

[0172] The telecommunications network 1 (also known as a fiber to the cabin (FTTC) network) is a passive optical network compatible with ITU-T G.984.2 (GPON) and G.9807.1 (XG-PON and XGS-PON) standards, which allows 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps connections over a single optical fiber.

[0173] The telecommunication network 1 has a daisy-chain physical configuration but with a star logic having two logic levels (central OLT - peripheral ONU / ONT - utility).

[0174] The main advantages of Telecom Network 1 are:

[0175] - Reduction of cabling in living areas (due to the presence of multiple spare fibres, allowing pre-arranged cabling to be available, ready to deploy);

[0176] - Eliminate (or at least minimize) the presence of an intermediate distribution frame (IDF) in the living area (due to the presence of horizontal cabin distribution points, ONT equipment);

[0177] - In non-living areas, increased flexibility in defining utilities by area, thus allowing even later definition of final location / quantity of utilities, as availability of spare fibre on vertical distribution columns allows adding ONT optical network terminals being built, requiring only local area cabling;

[0178] -Maintain or improve performance relative to conventional telecommunications networks.

[0179] Furthermore, taking into account the fact that the technologies under consideration are increasingly used, it is possible to take advantage of the evolution of electronic devices that may not involve a network infrastructure but rather rely on it, both in terms of performance and cost, since the new standards published to date maintain the same limit parameters for the passive infrastructure of the previous standards.

[0180] Finally, given the scope of use of these technologies, it is hypothesized that it is also possible to leverage cybersecurity solutions employed by service providers that hypothetically find themselves operating in contexts that are more sensitive to such issues, since the technologies used, adopted on a larger scale, have already solved similar problems.

[0181] Without departing from the scope of the appended claims, the skilled person may make changes and adaptations to the embodiments of the onboard communication network and of a ship comprising such a telecommunication network as described above, or may replace elements with other functionally equivalent elements to meet contingent needs. All features described as belonging to a feasible embodiment may be implemented without regard to the other embodiments described.

Claims

1. A shipboard telecommunication network (1), the telecommunication network (1) having a chain physical configuration and a star logical configuration, the telecommunication network (1) comprising: - at least one optical fibre living area local distribution network (10) operatively connected to one main distribution centre (30) of a plurality of main distribution centres of said telecommunication network (1), The at least one optical fiber living area local distribution network (10) comprises: - a plurality of cabin deck distribution points (31), the plurality of cabin deck distribution points (31) being divided into subgroups (S1-SN), each subgroup (S1-SN) of the cabin deck distribution points (31) being distributed along a cabin vertical distribution column (M1-MM), the cabin vertical distribution column (M1-MM) extending vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane (PR), the vessel (100) on which the telecommunication network (1) can be installed extending longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane (PR), the first cable (31) of each cabin vertical distribution column (M1-MM) extending longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane (PR), 2) a first cabin deck distribution point of a respective subgroup (S1-SN) of cabin deck distribution points (31) operatively connected to the main distribution center (30) and terminating in the first cabin deck distribution point of the subgroup (S1-SN) of the cabin deck distribution points, the cabin deck distribution points of the subgroup of the cabin deck distribution points being interconnected with each other in a serial chain configuration by respective further cables (33) of a cabin vertical distribution column chain, the further cables (33) of the cabin vertical distribution column chain extending vertically in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane (PR), the vessel (100) extending longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane (PR), -Multiple horizontal compartment distribution points (34) DO-CN j for at least one, 1 < j < M, of said multiple horizontal compartment distribution points (34) DO-CN j for 1 < j < M, extend parallel to said horizontal reference plane (PR), the ship (100) extends longitudinally parallel to said horizontal reference plane (PR), each horizontal compartment distribution point DO-CN j for 1 < j < M has a plurality of input optical fibers F-IN i for 1 < i < N and a second plurality of output optical fibers F-OT i for 1 < i < N, each input optical fiber enters a respective one of a plurality of input connectors C-IN i for 1 < i < N, each output optical fiber exits a respective one of a plurality of output connectors C-OT i for 1 < i < N, The first horizontal compartment distribution point DO-CN1 corresponds to one of the compartment deck distribution points in the compartment deck distribution points (31), and a plurality of input optical fibers F-IN of the compartment deck distribution points (31) i , where 1 < i < N is adapted to receive corresponding optical signals (P-OS). The multiple horizontal compartment distribution points (34) DO-CN j , where 1 < j < M has: - a first output optical fiber F-OT1 connected to a connector (UC) of a utility (UT) arranged downstream, in order to transmit the optical signal received on the first input optical fiber F-IN1 to said connector (UC) of said utility (UT); -Subsequent output optical fiber F-OT i For each output optical fiber where 2 < i < N, it is respectively connected to the corresponding input connector C-IN of the downstream arranged horizontal compartment distribution point i-1 where 2 < i < N, so as to transmit the optical signal received on the input optical fiber F-IN i where 1 < i < N to the input connector C-IN of the downstream arranged horizontal compartment distribution point i-1 .

2. A network (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one optical fiber living area local distribution network (10) comprises a plurality of splitters (SP) operatively connected to the main distribution center (30), each splitter (SP) being adapted to receive at input a corresponding optical signal (S-OT) distributed on a corresponding optical fiber distribution line (LD) by an optical line terminal device (30') of the main distribution center (30), each splitter being adapted to split the received optical signal (S-OT) into a plurality of optical signals (P-OS), the plurality of optical signals (P-OS) provided by the plurality of splitters (SP) being distributed on a plurality of optical fibers (35).

3. A network (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one optical fiber living area local distribution network (10) further comprises a plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (36), each of the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (36) groups a set number of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (35) into one group, The multiple optical fiber grouping connections (36) are grouped into subgroups, each subgroup is located in the corresponding first cable (32) of the cabin vertical distribution column (M1-MM), and each subgroup of the optical fiber grouping connections of the multiple optical fiber grouping connections (32) includes a set number of connections.

4. The network (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one non-living area local distribution network (20) of the main distribution center (30) operatively connected to a plurality of network distribution centers (1), wherein the at least one non-living area local distribution network (20) comprises a plurality of non-living area deck distribution cabinets (21), wherein the plurality of non-living area deck distribution cabinets (21) are divided into subgroups (A1-AN), wherein each subgroup of the non-living area deck distribution cabinets is distributed along non-living area vertical distribution columns (R1-RM), wherein the non-living area vertical distribution columns (R1-RM) extend vertically in a direction perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane (PR), and the vessel (100) capable of installing the network (1) is parallel to the horizontal The reference plane (PR) extends longitudinally, the first cable (22) of each non-living area vertical distribution column (R1-RM) is operatively connected to the main distribution center (30) and terminates at the first non-living area deck distribution cabinet of the corresponding subgroup (A1-AN) of the non-living area deck distribution cabinet (21), the non-living area deck distribution cabinets of the subgroup (A1-AN) of the non-living area deck distribution cabinet are interconnected with each other in a series chain configuration through the corresponding additional cables (23) of the non-living area vertical distribution column chain, the additional cables (23) of the non-living area vertical distribution column chain extend vertically along a direction perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane (PR), and the ship (100) extends longitudinally parallel to the horizontal reference plane (PR).

5. A network (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one non-living area local distribution network (20) comprises a plurality of splitters (SP') operatively connected to the main distribution center (30), each splitter (SP') being adapted to receive at input a corresponding optical signal (S-OT) distributed on a corresponding distribution line (LD') by an optical line terminal device (30') of the main distribution center (30), each splitter (SP') being adapted to split the received corresponding optical signal (S-OT) into a plurality of optical signals (P-OS), the plurality of optical signals (P-OS) provided by the plurality of splitters (SP') being distributed on a plurality of optical fibers (24).

6. A network (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one non-living area local distribution network (20) further comprises a plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (25), each of the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (25) grouping a set number of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (24) into one group, The multiple optical fiber grouping connections (25) are grouped into subgroups, each subgroup is located within the corresponding first cable (22) of the non-living area vertical distribution column (R1-RM), and each subgroup of the multiple optical fiber grouping connections (25) includes a set number of connections.

7. A vessel (100) comprising a telecommunication network (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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