On-board telecommunications networks and ships equipped with such networks

Abstract

To provide a shipboard telecommunications network and a ship comprising the same.SOLUTION: An optical fiber accommodation area local distribution network 10 comprises cabin deck distribution points divided into sub-groups and horizontal cabin distribution points. Each sub-group is distributed along a cabin vertical distribution upright, a cable is connected to a main distribution center and ends on a cabin deck distribution point, and the cabin deck distribution points are interconnected with one another by means of additional cables. The horizontal cabin distribution points have input optical fibers and output optical fibers and a first horizontal cabin distribution point corresponds to a cabin deck distribution point having an input optical fiber to receive an optical signal. The horizontal cabin distribution point has a first output optical fiber to transport the received optical signal to a connector of a utility and a subsequent output optical fiber to transport the received optical signal to an input connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the naval sector, and in particular to on-board telecommunications networks and ships equipped with such telecommunications networks. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, on-board telecommunications networks are a very important aspect on ships, since enabling communication between most, if not all, of the different areas of a ship, whether they be living areas (cabins) or non-living areas (engine room, deck, holds), has become a fundamental requirement with regard to efficiency, safety and quality of the services provided. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, being able to reach different areas of ships, even very large ones such as cruise ships, requires network architectures with very invasive cable laying, especially in living areas that may contain even hundreds of cabins, which requires long installation times and sometimes requires the presence of excessive intermediate distribution devices or panels, resulting in increased costs.

[0004] Moreover, current telecommunications networks even prevent the definition of the location / number of utilities at a later point in time, even in areas other than those intended for residential use, thereby offering little flexibility.

[0005] Moreover, providing an adequate level of redundancy of wired resources so as to be able to intervene quickly, but without being too invasive to the existing wiring, in case of a failure still appears to be very difficult at the present time.

[0006] Finally, current telecommunication networks have the major limitation that they are not easily adaptable in case of technological evolution, unless thorough interventions are carried out on the already installed onboard architecture, possibly without examining all existing wiring, which would definitely entail long intervention times and very high associated costs for the replacement of equipment and / or panels.

[0007] In light of the above, a strong need is felt to provide an on-board telecommunications network that is as flexible as possible and easily adaptable to a given number of utilities required, even if such number is defined at the very last moment, and that can easily and therefore at low cost adapt to any technological evolutions, at least in the near future.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to devise and provide an on-board telecommunications network which makes it possible to at least partially eliminate the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art, and in particular which is as flexible and redundant as possible, adaptable to possible technological evolutions in a short period of time, and therefore low-cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Such an object is achieved by an on-board telecommunications network according to claim 1.

[0010] The invention also relates to a ship equipped with such a telecommunications network. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a ship in which an on-board telecommunications network according to the present invention may be used; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of an on-board telecommunications network according to the present invention. [Figure 3a] FIG. 3 shows, in a simplified block diagram, more detailed portions of the on-board telecommunications network of FIG. 2. [Figure 3b] FIG. 3 shows, in a simplified block diagram, more detailed portions of the on-board telecommunications network of FIG. 2. [Figure 3c] FIG. 3 shows, in a simplified block diagram, more detailed portions of the on-board telecommunications network of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows by means of a simplified block diagram the connection mode between the components already shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 3b and 3c. [Figure 5a] FIG. 3 shows, in a simplified block diagram, further details of the on-board telecommunications network of FIG. 2. [Figure 5b] FIG. 3 shows, in a simplified block diagram, further details of the on-board telecommunications network of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the example vessel of FIG. [Figure 7] 7 depicts a simplified block diagram of FIG. 2 with the addition of some of the reference numbers used in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the shipboard telecommunications network according to the invention and of such a ship will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] It should be noted that in the drawings, the same or similar components are designated with the same numeric or alphanumeric reference designators.

[0014] With reference to the above mentioned drawings, the on-board telecommunications network according to the present invention will now be described.

[0015] In FIG. 1, an example of a marine vessel is shown, generally designated by the reference numeral 100 .

[0016] For purposes of this description, "ship" means any vessel that can be used for cruise, recreational, and tourist services, such as a cruise ship such as that shown in FIG. 1a, or any vessel that can be used in the military sector.

[0017] The on-board telecommunications network 1 may actually be installed on the ship 100 .

[0018] With particular reference to FIG. 6, the vessel 100 has a longitudinal direction that extends parallel to a horizontal reference plane PR, for example a horizontal plane representing a body of water in which the vessel 100 is immersed.

[0019] The ship 100 includes a plurality of decks D1 to D4 each having a longitudinal direction extending parallel to a horizontal reference plane PR of the ship 1.

[0020] Furthermore, the ship 100 includes a number of vertical areas VZ1 to VZ4 each extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to a plane in which the ship 100 extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] The multiple vertical areas VZ1 to VZ4 are separated from one another by, for example, fireproof partitions.

[0022] Each of the decks D1 to D4 extends parallel to a horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to a plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally, and comprises one or more of the vertical areas VZ1 to VZ4.

[0023] Each vertical area among the plurality of vertical areas VZ1 to VZ4 extends along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to a plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally, and comprises one or more decks among the plurality of decks D1 to D4.

[0024] In each of the drawings (except FIG. 1), the reference number 1 indicates as a whole an on-board telecommunications network according to the invention, in the following simply referred to as the telecommunications network or simply as the network.

[0025] The on-board telecommunications network 1 has a chain-like physical configuration and a star-like logical configuration, as will be repeated below.

[0026] Furthermore, from a physical point of view, the on-board telecommunications network 1 extends vertically and along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally, inside one of the multiple vertical areas VZ1 to VZ4, and also extends horizontally and parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally, along each of the multiple decks D1 to D4 that intersects with the vertical area containing the vertically extending telecommunications network 1 therein.

[0027] For example, referring to FIG. 7, the telecommunications network 1 extends vertically inside the vertical area VZ1 along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally, and also extends horizontally and parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR along the decks D1, D2 and D3.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, and referring to FIG. 2, an on-board telecommunications network 1 connects a number of utilities UT to one or more main distribution centers 30 .

[0029] The main distribution center (hardware and software) includes servers, audio / video sources, and data processing terminals.

[0030] The utility UT may be a data socket for a PC, a Power over Ethernet phone and camera (PoE), a Wi-Fi transmitter, or generally any device that would typically be installed in a prior art ship's network.

[0031] According to the invention, the telecommunications network 1 is a Passive Optical Network (PON).

[0032] The PON telecommunications network comprises only that portion of the network integrated from the main distribution center 30 to the utility UT, ie, in particular the backbone and branches of the network.

[0033] The data center or centers are not included in the telecommunications network.

[0034] In particular, PON telecommunications networks are implemented using GPON / XG-PON / XGS-PON broadband fiber optic network technologies along with several conventional local area network protocols (LANs).

[0035] With particular reference to FIG. 2, network 1 comprises at least one fiber optic residential area local distribution network 10 operatively connected to one main distribution center 30 of a plurality of main distribution centers of network 1 .

[0036] It should be noted that depending on the topology of the ship 100 and the positioning of multiple main distribution centers 30, a main distribution center 30 may exist without a residential area local distribution network 10 and be functionally connected to the residential area local distribution network 10.

[0037] "Accommodation Area" means the area of ​​the ship containing the cabins of passengers and / or crew.

[0038] The multiple distribution centres are the so-called backbone of the on-board telecommunications network 1 and are not shown in the drawings apart from the main distribution centre 30 .

[0039] The fiber optic backbone has the topology of a fiber optic mesh network, where each node is represented by a main distribution center among multiple distribution centers.

[0040] In the drawings, the fiber optic mesh network with multiple main distribution centers is not shown, only the nodes represented by the distribution centers designated by reference numeral 30 are represented as components.

[0041] In this respect, each main distribution center is also known by the acronym MDF, which stands for "Main Distribution Frame."

[0042] Each distribution center comprises at least one optical line terminal device, also known by the acronym OLT, for "Optical Line Terminal."

[0043] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in combination with the previous one, the network 1 further comprises at least one non-residential area local distribution network 20 operatively connected to a main distribution center 30 of the plurality of network distribution centers 1.

[0044] "Non-habitable area" means one of the areas of a ship that does not have habitable areas (cabins for passengers and / or crew), such as, for example, engine rooms, connecting decks, control rooms, holds, etc.

[0045] It should be noted that depending on the topology of the ship 100 and the positioning of multiple main distribution centers 30, a main distribution center 30 may exist without a non-residential area local distribution network 20 and be operatively connected to the non-residential area local distribution network 20.

[0046] At least one non-residential area local distribution network 20 is described below.

[0047] Now, with particular reference to Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, at least one fibre optic residential area local distribution network 10 comprises a plurality of cabin deck distribution points 31 divided into subgroups S1-SN.

[0048] These devices are also known as ADPs, an acronym for Accommodation deck Distribution Point.

[0049] Each subgroup of cabin deck distribution points 31 is distributed along the cabin vertical distribution uprights M1 to MM.

[0050] It should be noted that the cabin vertical distribution upright structures M1-MM refer to upright structures extending vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR so as to reach more cabins on each of the plurality of decks D1-D4 located inside the vertical area VZ1 having the extending telecommunications network therein.

[0051] The cabin vertical distribution uprights M1 to MM therefore extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR which is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 in which the network 1 can be installed extends longitudinally.

[0052] It should be noted that in FIG. 2, only one cabin vertical upright structure M1 is shown containing within it a sub-group S1 of cabin deck distribution points of the plurality of cabin deck distribution points 31.

[0053] Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show five cabin vertical upright structures M1, M2, ..., MM (where M = 5), each having a subgroup indicated by S1, S2, ..., SN (where N = 5) of cabin deck distribution points among the plurality of cabin deck distribution points 31.

[0054] As shown in Figures 2 and 3a, the first cable 32 of each cabin vertical distribution upright structure M1 to MM is operatively connected to the main distribution center 30 and terminates at the first cabin deck distribution point of each sub-group S1 to SN of the cabin deck distribution point 31.

[0055] It should be noted that the first cable of the cabin vertical distribution upright structure is also called ARFC, an acronym for Accommodation Riser First Cable.

[0056] The cabin deck distribution points of the subgroups S1 to SN of cabin deck distribution points are interconnected with each other by respective further cables 33 of the cabin vertical distribution upright chain in a serial chain configuration (daisy chain physical configuration).

[0057] Further cables 33 of the cabin vertical distribution upright chain extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to said horizontal reference plane PR, which is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally.

[0058] The further cable 33 of the cabin vertical distribution upright chain is also called ARCC, an acronym for Accommodation Riser Chain Cable.

[0059] The further cables 33 of the cabin vertical distribution upright chain are, for example, pre-connectorized 12xMPO-MPO (from the acronym Multifiber Push On) or 12xMTP-MTP (from the acronym Multifiber Termination Push on) with a set number of available optical fibers, which are explained below by means of a numerical example.

[0060] It should be noted that, as will be reiterated below, any excess optical fiber may be considered as a spare.

[0061] At least one optical fiber in-cabin area local distribution network 10 includes a plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN j , and further includes at least one of 1 < j < M.

[0062] A plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN j , 1 < j < M means a plurality of horizontally extending distribution points parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR along a single deck among those located in the vertical area VZ1 that includes the extending telecommunication network 1 therein. It should be noted.

[0063] Therefore, a plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN j , 1 < j < M extend parallel with respect to the horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0064] It should be noted that each of the plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points provides a cabin distribution cabinet CDC (from the initials of Cabin Distribution Cabinet), and then indicates a technical cabin compartment equipped with an optical network terminal device ONT (from the initials of the English Optical Network Terminal (optical network terminal)).

[0065] Therefore, the input port and output port of the device ONT are available for each horizontal cabin distribution point (technical compartment).

[0066] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, each horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN j , 1 < j < M includes a plurality of input connectors C-IN i , a plurality of input optical fibers F-IN each entering one of the input connectors 1 < i < N i , 1 <i<N and a plurality of output connectors C-OT i , a second plurality of output optical fibers F-OT each exiting from one of the output connectors 1 < i < Ni , having 1 < i < N.

[0067] The first horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN1 corresponds to one of the cabin deck distribution points 31 having a plurality of input optical fibers F-IN adapted to receive each optical signal P-OS i , 1 <i<N .

[0068] One of the plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points, the horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN j , 1 < j < M, has a first output optical fiber F-OT1 connected to a connector UC of the utility UT arranged downstream to send the optical signal received in the first input optical fiber F-IN1 to the connector UC of the utility UT.

[0069] The connector UC of the utility UT may be a connector of the SC type (Standard Connector) or LC type (Lucent Connector) depending on the type of connector provided at the input of the utility UT.

[0070] The utility UT is a cabin, where normal LAN utilities, such as TVs, telephones, WiFi access points, or courtesy data sockets, may be connected downstream of an optical network terminal device ONT connected to the input connector UC (SC type or LC type connector) of the utility UT.

[0071] Furthermore, such a horizontal cabin distribution point among the plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN j , 1 < j < M, has subsequent output optical fibers F-OT i-1 , 2 < i < N, each connected to each input connector C-IN of the horizontal cabin distribution point i , 2 < i < N, where the input optical fiber F-IN i, for 1 < i < N, the received optical signal is sent to the input connector C-IN of the horizontal cabinet distribution point arranged downstream i-1 to the subsequent output optical fiber F-OT arranged downstream i , each having 2 < i < N (i.e., any of the optical fibers in addition to the first one).

[0072] In other words, the output fibers sometimes pass from one horizontal cabinet distribution point to the next, alternatingly, i.e., arranged as follows.

[0073] - The first optical fiber is connected to the connector UC (SC type or LC type) of the utility UT. - The second optical fiber, the third optical fiber, the fourth optical fiber, etc. become the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, the third optical fiber, etc. of the horizontal cabinet distribution points arranged downstream, respectively.

[0074] Thus, with the exception of the first horizontal cabinet distribution point that sends the optical signals in all output optical fibers and that alternately connects them to subsequent horizontal cabinet distribution points, any other horizontal cabinet distribution point has one or more cut output optical fibers, but they are alternately connected to subsequent cabinet distribution points and thus remain unused, i.e., they do not send optical signals.

[0075] The spare optical fibers for sending optical signals represent extra optical fibers that can probably be used in case of failure.

[0076] Ideally, the horizontal cabinet distribution points (technical cabinet compartments) connect the technical cabinet compartments to each other (e.g., as a group of a set maximum number of technical cabinet compartments, e.g., 12 technical cabinet compartments).

[0077] Note that the first horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN1 (corresponding to one of the 34 cabin deck distribution points) is connected to the second horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN2 by a first cabin horizontal distribution cable 32’, also called AHFC (from the initials of Accomodation Horizontal First Cable).

[0078] The next horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN i , 2 < i < N are interconnected by respective further cables 33’ of a horizontal distribution chain in a series chain configuration (also called a daisy chain).

[0079] The further cables 33’ of the horizontal distribution chain extend parallel to a horizontal reference plane PR that is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally.

[0080] The further cables 33’ of the horizontal cabin distribution chain are also called AHCC, from the initials of Accomodation Horizontal Chain Cable.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 4, when N = 5 and M = 4, one of the plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points, a horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN j , 1 < j < 4, for example connector DO-CN2, may be noted to have a first output optical fiber F-OT1 connected to a connector UC of a utility UT arranged downstream to send the optical signal received in the first input optical fiber F-IN1 to the connector UC of the utility UT (e.g., of SC type or LC type).

[0082] Furthermore, the horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN2 among the plurality of 34 horizontal cabin distribution points is connected to subsequent output optical fibers F-OT i-1 , 2 < i < N by respective input connectors C-IN i, where 2 < i < N and the input optical fiber F-IN i , for the optical signals received at 1 < i < N, the input connector C-IN of the horizontal cabinet distribution point (DO-CN3) arranged downstream i-1 The subsequent output optical fiber F-OT arranged downstream (DO-CN3) is to send the optical signal received at the input connector C-IN of the subsequent output optical fiber F-OT arranged downstream (DO-CN3) to the input connector C-IN of the horizontal cabinet distribution point (DO-CN3) arranged downstream (DO-CN3). i , each of which has 2 < i < N (i.e., any of the optical fibers in addition to the first one).

[0083] More specifically: - 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 send the optical signal received at the first input optical fiber F-IN1 of DO-CN3 to the first input connector C-IN1 of DO-CN3. - 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 send the optical signal received at the second input optical fiber F-IN2 of DO-CN3 to the second input connector C-IN2 of DO-CN3. - 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 send the optical signal received at the third input optical fiber F-IN3 of DO-CN3 to the third input connector C-IN3 of DO-CN3. - The fifth output optical fiber F-OT5 of DO-CN2 is connected to the fourth input connector C-IN3, but it is not used to send any optical signal received at the input by the first horizontal cabinet distribution point DO-CN1.

[0084] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a in combination with the previous one, at least one residential area local distribution network 10 includes a plurality of splitters (optical distributors) SP functionally connected to the main distribution center 30.

[0085] Splitters are passive devices (i.e., they do not require a power supply) that are able to split one input optical fiber (or two input optical fibers) to several output optical fibers and symmetrically split the optical signal power.

[0086] Thus, a splitter splits an input optical line (or two optical lines) into several secondary lines for distribution to other devices, forming multiple branches in a cascade.

[0087] More specifically, each splitter SP is adapted to receive at its input, by a respective connector C-SP (or two connectors C-SP), for example of type SC (standard connector) or LC (light emitting connector), one or more respective optical signals S-OT distributed in a respective distribution line LD by an optical line terminal 30' (OLT) of the main distribution center 30.

[0088] Each splitter SP is adapted to split each received optical signal(s) S-OT into a number of optical signals P-OS.

[0089] It should be noted that the division by each splitter SP is performed according to a ratio 1:N in the case of one input optical fiber (or 2:N in the case of two input optical fibers), for example N=16.

[0090] FIG. 3a shows a splitter SP with a splitting ratio of 1:N, where N=16.

[0091] A plurality of optical signals P-OS provided by a plurality of splitters SP are distributed over a plurality of optical fibers 35 .

[0092] According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a in combination with the previous one, the at least one fiber optic residential area local distribution network 10 further comprises a plurality of fiber optic grouping connections 36 .

[0093] Each optical fiber grouping connection of the plurality of connections 36, such as a pre-connectorized cable having multiple SC or LC type connectors at one end and an MPO or MTP type connector at the other end, groups a set number of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 35 into one group.

[0094] In particular, the grouping of optical fibers occurs only at the ends of the optical fiber cable that have a predetermined number of connectors, and each of these connections then groups a set number of optical fibers.

[0095] Thus, each connector groups optical fibers only at the end of a fiber optic cable.

[0096] In an embodiment where each splitter has a splitting ratio of 1:16, each optical fiber grouping connection groups 12 optical fibers into one group.

[0097] Indeed, in this example, the connection is a 12LC-MPO connection of 12 optical fibers.

[0098] Referring again to the described embodiment, the multiple optical fiber grouping connections 36 are then grouped into multiple subgroups each provided inside each first cable 32 of one cabin vertical distribution upright structure M1 to MM.

[0099] As already mentioned above, the grouping of optical fibers is only performed at the end of the optical fiber cable and is linked to the fact that a finite number of single optical fibers may be inserted in a connector present at the end of the optical fiber cable.

[0100] Thus, connectors present at the ends of fiber optic cables allow for the grouping of optical fibers.

[0101] Each subgroup of optical fiber grouped connections of the plurality of connections 32 includes a set number of connections.

[0102] Thus, each cable 32 of the cabin vertical distribution uprights M1-MM has a set number of optical fibers available therein.

[0103] In an embodiment where each splitter has a splitting ratio of 1:16 and each optical fiber grouping connection groups a group of 12 optical fibers, each subgroup of the optical fiber grouping connection groups, for example, 12 optical fiber grouping connections.

[0104] Thus, according to this embodiment, each cable 32 of the cabin vertical distribution uprights M1-MM has a total of 144 available optical fibers.

[0105] According to this embodiment, the further cable 33 of the cabin vertical distribution upright chain is, for example, a pre-connectorized 12xMPO-MPO or 12xMTP-MTP with 144 available optical fibers.

[0106] Any excess optical fibers may be considered spares.

[0107] According to a further embodiment in combination with any of the above, it is repeated that the network 1 comprises at least one non-residential area local distribution network 20 operatively connected to a main distribution center 30 of the plurality of distribution centers of the network 1.

[0108] At least one non-residential area local distribution network 20 comprises a number of non-residential area deck distribution cabinets 21, also referred to as ODCs, an acronym for Other area deck Distribution Cabinets, which are divided into subgroups A1-AN.

[0109] It should be noted that each ODC comprises an Optical Network Unit (ONU).

[0110] Each subgroup of non-occupied area deck distribution cabinets is distributed along a non-occupied area vertical distribution upright structure R1-RN.

[0111] It should be noted that the non-residential area vertical distribution upright structures R1-RN refer to upright structures extending vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane PR so as to reach more decks out of the above-mentioned plurality of decks D1-D4 present in the vertical area VZ1 having the extending telecommunications network therein.

[0112] The non-residential area vertical distribution uprights R1-RN therefore extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR which is parallel to the plane in which the vessel 100 in which the network 1 can be installed extends longitudinally.

[0113] It should be noted that in FIG. 2, only one non-occupied area vertical upright structure R1 is illustrated as including within it a sub-group A1 of non-occupied area deck vertical delivery points 31.

[0114] 5a and 5b show five non-residential area vertical upright structures R1, R2, ..., RM (where M = 5), each of which comprises a subgroup indicated as A1, A2, ..., AN (where N = 5) of non-residential area deck distribution cabinets among the plurality of non-residential area distribution cabinets 21.

[0115] As shown in Figures 2 and 5a, the first cable 22 of each non-residential area vertical distribution upright structure R1-RM is operatively connected to the main distribution center 30 and terminates in the first non-residential area deck distribution cabinet of each sub-group A1-AN of the non-residential area deck distribution cabinets 21.

[0116] It should be noted that the non-residential area vertical distribution standoff first cable 22 is also referred to as ORC, an acronym for Other Areas Riser First Cable.

[0117] The non-residential area deck distribution cabinets of one subgroup A1 to SN of the plurality of non-residential area deck distribution cabinets are interconnected with each other in a serial chain configuration by each further cable 23 of the non-residential area vertical distribution upright chain, which is also referred to as a daisy chain physical configuration.

[0118] Further cables 23 of the non-residential area vertical distribution upright chain extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane PR which is parallel to the plane in which the ship 100 extends longitudinally.

[0119] The non-residential area vertical distribution riser chain further cable 23 is also called ORCC, an acronym for Other area Riser Chain Cable.

[0120] The further cables 23 of the non-residential area vertical distribution standoffs are, for example, pre-connectorized 12xMPO-MPO with a set number of available optical fibers, as will be explained below with the aid of a numerical example.

[0121] It should be noted that, as will be reiterated below, any excess optical fiber may be considered as a spare.

[0122] Each deck distribution cabinet in the non-residential area is adapted to distribute an optical signal to a utility, designated in FIG. 2 by reference character UT.

[0123] More specifically, each utility UT comprises a respective connector (or interface) UC (of SC type, of LC type) for receiving an optical signal, which is then connected to a respective optical network terminal device ONT, downstream of which the usual LAN utilities, e.g. TV, telephone, camera, computer, WiFi access point or courtesy data socket may be connected.

[0124] As shown in Figures 5a and 5b, each utility corresponds to one or more connectors UC of SC type (standard connector) or LC type (light emitting connector), each of which corresponds to a high density network terminal device ONT supporting multiple prior art LAN utilities.

[0125] Further, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b, at least one non-residential area local distribution network 10 may include several ODC groups, indicated by reference characters ODC1 to ODCN, each of which includes one or more non-residential area vertical distribution cabinets of a plurality of non-residential area vertical distribution upright structures.

[0126] According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 5 a in combination with the previous one, at least one non-residential area local distribution network 20 comprises a number of splitters (optical distributors) SP′ operatively connected to a main distribution center 30 .

[0127] More specifically, each splitter SP' is adapted to receive at its input one or more respective optical signals S-OT distributed in respective distribution lines LD' by an optical line terminal 30' (OLT) of the main distribution center 30, for example by means of a respective connector C-SP' (or two connectors C-SP') of the SC (standard connector) or LC (light emitting connector) type.

[0128] Each splitter SP' is adapted to split each received optical signal(s) S-OT into a number of optical signals P-OS.

[0129] It should be noted that the division by each splitter SP' is performed according to a ratio 1:N in the case of one input optical fiber (or 2:N in the case of two input optical fibers), eg N=16.

[0130] FIG. 5a shows a splitter SP with a splitting ratio of 1:N, where N=16.

[0131] The multiple optical signals P-OS provided by the multiple splitters SP′ are distributed over multiple optical fibers 24.

[0132] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a in combination with the previous one, At least one non-residential area local distribution network 20 further comprises a plurality of optical fiber grouping connections 25 .

[0133] Each optical fiber grouping connection of the plurality of connections 25, such as a pre-connectorized cable having a plurality of SC or LC type connectors at one end and an MPO or MTP type connector at the other end, groups a set number of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 24 into one group.

[0134] In an embodiment where each splitter has a splitting ratio of 1:16, each optical fiber grouping connection groups 12 optical fibers into one group.

[0135] Indeed, in this example, the connection is a 12LC-MPO connection of 12 optical fibers.

[0136] Referring again to the described embodiment, the multiple optical fiber grouping connections 25 are then grouped into multiple subgroups each provided inside each first cable 22 of one non-residential area vertical distribution upright structure R1-RN.

[0137] Each subgroup of optical fiber grouped connections of the plurality of connections 25 includes a set number of connections.

[0138] Thus, each cable 32 of the non-residential area vertical distribution standoffs M1-MM has a set number of optical fibers available therein.

[0139] In an embodiment where each splitter has a splitting ratio of 1:16 and each optical fiber grouping connection groups a group of 12 optical fibers, each subgroup of the optical fiber grouping connection groups, for example, 12 optical fiber grouping connections.

[0140] Thus, according to this embodiment, each cable 22 in the non-residential area vertical distribution standoffs R1-RM has a total of 144 available optical fibers.

[0141] According to this embodiment, the further cables 23 of the non-residential area vertical distribution standoffs are, for example, pre-connectorized 12xMPO-MPO or 12xMTP-MTP with 144 available optical fibers.

[0142] Any excess optical fibers may be considered spares.

[0143] Generally, referring again to the at least one local cabin distribution network 10, as described above, each horizontal cabin distribution point of the plurality 34 horizontal cabin distribution points indicates a technical cabin compartment in which a cabin distribution cabinet CDC is provided, which in turn comprises an optical network terminal device ONT.

[0144] Thus, for each technical cabin compartment, ports of the equipment ONT are available, which, according to the embodiment, comprise 8 GE (PoE) ports and 2 POTS ports (which may manage 3 telephones in parallel, i.e. with the same number).

[0145] A typical configuration of the shared technical rooms of the cabin may be the following:

[0146] - GE#1 TV Cabin#1; - GE#2 (PoE)WiFi Cabin#1; - GE#3 (PoE) Online Door Lock Cabin#1; - GE#4 spare; - GE#5 TV Cabin#2; - GE#6 (PoE)WiFi Cabin#2; - GE#7 (PoE) Online Door Lock Cabin#2; - GE#8 spare; - POTS#1 Telephone cabin#1 (up to 3 in parallel); - POTS#2 telephone cabin#2 (up to 3 in parallel).

[0147] Perhaps the spare port could be used for VoIP telephone communications or for up to two utilities in the hallway.

[0148] It should be noted that for so-called fire protection areas / habitable deck areas, it is possible to use spare optical fibers of the horizontal cabin distribution point (ONT device) or to introduce additional horizontal cabin distribution points (ONT devices), which are connected to each other as described above with reference to the horizontal cabin distribution points (ONT devices) in the technical cabin compartment, i.e. have a serial chain connection (daisy chain configuration), where the connection of the output optical fiber goes to the standard connector SC and the other output optical fiber is connected alternately at the next horizontal cabin distribution point ONT.

[0149] Alternatively, if the number of utilities is significant, utilities outside the cabin can be provided with a dedicated feed from an ODC device or an additional CDC device.

[0150] As mentioned above, another object of the invention is a ship 100 comprising a telecommunication network 1 according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0151] It should be noted that the objectives of the present invention are fully achieved.

[0152] The telecommunications network 1, also known as a Fiber To Cabin (FTTC) network, is a passive optical network conforming to the ITU-T G.984.2 (GPON) and G.9807.1 (XG-PON and XGS-PON) standards, enabling 1-10 Gbps connectivity over a single optical fiber.

[0153] The telecommunications network 1 has a daisy-chain physical configuration, but a star logical configuration with two logical levels (central OLT-peripheral ONU / ONT-utility).

[0154] The main advantages of the telecommunications network 1 are:

[0155] * Reducing cabling in residential areas (due to the presence of multiple spare optical fibers, pre-deployed cabling can be available and ready for configuration). * Eliminating (or at least minimizing) the presence of intermediate distribution frames (IDFs) for occupied areas due to the presence of horizontal cabin distribution points, ONT equipment. * Availability of spare optical fiber in vertical distribution uprights allows for the addition of ONT optical network terminal equipment during construction, requiring only local cable placement, thus increasing flexibility in defining utilities per area and even allowing the definition of final location / number of utilities at a later point in time in non-residential areas. * Maintaining or improving the performance of prior art telecommunications networks.

[0156] Furthermore, taking into account the fact that the (considerated) technologies are becoming more and more used, the new standard (released so far) will retain the same limiting parameters as the previous standard for passive infrastructure, so that it will be possible to take advantage of developments, both in terms of performance and cost, not in the network infrastructure but in the electronic circuits that depend on it.

[0157] Finally, it may also be possible to take advantage of cybersecurity solutions adopted by service providers, taking into account the extent to which the technology is used, knowing that these solutions will likely be implemented in contexts that are themselves more sensitive to such issues, since technologies already in use on a larger scale address similar issues.

[0158] Those skilled in the art may make several modifications and adaptations to the above-described embodiments of the shipboard communication network and the ship comprising such a telecommunication network without departing from the scope of the appended claims, or may replace components with functionally equivalent others to meet foreseeable needs. All of the features described as belonging to one possible embodiment may be implemented without regard to the other embodiments described.

Claims

1. A shipboard telecommunications network (1) having a chain-like physical configuration and a star-like logical configuration, The on-board telecommunications network (1) comprises at least one optical fiber residential area local distribution network (10) operatively connected to one main distribution center (30) of a plurality of main distribution centers of the on-board telecommunications network (1); The at least one fiber optic residential area local distribution network (10) comprises: A plurality of cabin deck distribution points (31) divided into a plurality of subgroups (S1 to SN); At least a plurality (34) of horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN ｊ , 1<j<M, Each subgroup (S1-SN) of cabin deck distribution points (31) is distributed along a cabin vertical distribution upright structure (M1-MM); a first cable (32) of each cabin vertical distribution upright (M1-MM) is operatively connected to said main distribution center (30) and terminates at a first cabin deck distribution point of each subgroup (S1-SN) of cabin deck distribution points (31); the cabin deck distribution points of one subgroup of the cabin deck distribution points are interconnected with each other in a serial chain configuration by respective further cables (33) of the cabin vertical distribution upright chain; Each horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN ｊ , 1<j<M are a number of input connectors C-IN ｉ , 1<i<N, a plurality of input optical fibers F-IN ｉ , 1<i<N, and a plurality of output connectors C-OT ｉ , 1<i<N respectively output connectors of a second plurality of output optical fibers F-OT ｉ , 1<i<N, First horizontal cabin distribution point DO-CN １ a plurality of input optical fibers F-IN adapted to receive respective optical signals (P-OS) ｉ , 1<i<N, Said plurality (34) of horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN ｊ , 1<j<M, the horizontal cabin distribution point is A first output optical fiber F-OT connected to a utility (UT) connector (UC) １ A first input optical fiber F-IN １ a first output optical fiber F-OT arranged downstream to transmit the optical signal received at the utility (UT) to the connector (UC) of the utility (UT); １ and, Each input connector C-IN of the horizontal cabin distribution point ｉ－１ , 2<i<N, respectively. ｉ , 2<i<N, and said input optical fiber F-IN ｉ , 1<i<N to the input connectors C-In of the horizontal cabin distribution point arranged downstream. ｉ－１ A subsequent output optical fiber F-OT is disposed downstream to feed ｉ , 2<i<N, On-board telecommunications network (1).

2. The at least one optical fiber residential area local distribution network (10) comprises a plurality of splitters (SP) operatively connected to the main distribution center (30); Each splitter (SP) is adapted to receive at its input a respective optical signal (S-OT) distributed on a respective optical fiber distribution line (LD) by an optical line terminal (30') of said main distribution center (30), Each splitter is 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) are distributed in a plurality of optical fibers (35). An on-board telecommunications network (1) according to claim 1.

3. The at least one fiber optic residential area local distribution network (10) further comprises a plurality of fiber optic grouping connections (36); Each optical fiber grouping connection of the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (36) groups a set number of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (35) into a group; The plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (36) are grouped into a plurality of subgroups each provided inside each of the first cables (32) of one cabin vertical distribution upright structure (M1-MM); each sub-group of optical fiber grouping connections of the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (32) includes a set number of connections; A shipboard telecommunications network (1) according to claim 2.

4. The shipboard telecommunications network (1) further comprises at least one non-residential area local distribution network (20) operatively connected to said one main distribution center (30) of said plurality of main distribution centers; The at least one non-residential area local distribution network (20) comprises a plurality of non-residential area deck distribution cabinets (21) divided into a plurality of subgroups (A1-AN); Each subgroup of non-occupied area deck distribution cabinets is distributed along a non-occupied area vertical distribution upright (R1-RN); a first cable (22) of each non-residential area vertical distribution upright (R1-RM) is operatively connected to said main distribution center (30) and terminates in a first non-residential area deck distribution cabinet of each subgroup (A1-AN) of non-residential area deck distribution cabinets (21); the non-residential area deck distribution cabinets of a subgroup (A1-AN) of the plurality of non-residential area deck distribution cabinets are interconnected to one another in a serial chain configuration by respective additional cables (23) of a non-residential area vertical distribution upright chain; An on-board telecommunications network (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3.

5. said at least one non-residential area local distribution network (20) comprising a plurality of splitters (SP') operatively connected to said main distribution center (30); Each splitter (SP) is adapted to receive at its input a respective optical signal (S-OT) distributed in a respective distribution line (LD') by an optical line terminal (30') of said main distribution centre (30), Each splitter (SP') is adapted to split each of said received optical signals (S-OT) into a plurality of optical signals (P-OS); The plurality of optical signals (P-OS) provided by the plurality of splitters (SP) are distributed in a plurality of optical fibers (24). A shipboard telecommunications network (1) according to claim 4.

6. The at least one non-residential area local distribution network (20) further comprises a plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (25); Each optical fiber grouping connection of the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (25) groups a set number of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (24) into one group; The plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (25) are grouped into a plurality of subgroups each provided inside each of the first cables (22) of one non-residential area vertical distribution upright structure (R1-RM); each sub-group of optical fiber grouping connections of the plurality of optical fiber grouping connections (25) includes a set number of connections; A shipboard telecommunications network (1) according to claim 5.

7. said cabin vertical distribution uprights (M1-MM) extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane (PR) parallel to a plane in which the ship (100) in which said on-board telecommunications network (1) can be installed extends longitudinally; An on-board telecommunications network (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6.

8. Further cables (33) of the cabin vertical distribution upright chain extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane (PR) which is parallel to the plane in which the vessel (100) extends longitudinally. A shipboard telecommunications network (1) according to claim 7.

9. Said plurality (34) of horizontal cabin distribution points DO-CN ｊ , 1<j<M extend parallel to the horizontal reference plane (PR), which is parallel to a plane in which the vessel (100) extends longitudinally; An on-board telecommunications network (1) according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The non-residential area vertical distribution uprights (R1-RM) extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane (PR) that is parallel to a plane in which the ship (100) on which the shipboard telecommunications network (1) can be installed extends longitudinally; An on-board telecommunications network (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

11. Further cables (23) of the non-residential area vertical distribution upright chain extend vertically along a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane (PR) which is parallel to the plane in which the vessel (100) extends longitudinally. An on-board telecommunications network (1) according to claim 10.

12. A ship (100) comprising an on-board telecommunications network (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 11.

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