Apical Conduit System for Point-to-Point Fiber Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for switching between fiber services in passive optical networks (PONs) are costly, time-consuming, and inefficient, requiring excavation and new fiber line installation, which is not scalable for customer service changes or service provider transitions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a PON communications system using an apical conduit system, which allows for the routing of optical fiber lines through surface trenching techniques, utilizing polyurea and other thermosetting materials for strength and minimal ecological impact, and using ground-based signal distribution devices like fiber distribution hubs and network access points to decouple and recouple fiber services without excavation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If excavation and new fiber line installation is performed to switch fiber services, then service provider transitions can be achieved, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provider transition capabilityVSAvoidservice switching time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing multiple fiber lines (including spare fibers) within the apical conduit system during initial infrastructure deployment. This allows service providers to switch between fibers without excavation, as the infrastructure is already in place. The conduit system is prepared in advance to accommodate future service changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The apical conduit system serves as an intermediary infrastructure that enables service provider transitions without direct excavation. The conduit acts as a mediator between the existing infrastructure and the need for service switching, allowing technicians to access and switch fibers through pre-established access points rather than breaking the ground.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If excavation is performed to install fiber lines, then fiber service changes can be implemented, but road integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber service change capabilityVSAvoidroad integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The apical conduit system is installed in advance within the road structure, creating a protected pathway for fiber lines before any service changes are needed. This preliminary infrastructure placement eliminates the need for future excavation, preserving road integrity while enabling flexible service changes through the pre-built conduit network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional fiber installation methods are used, then fiber lines can be laid, but the process is costly and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber line installationVSAvoidservice deployment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The apical conduit system serves multiple functions: it provides initial fiber installation pathways, accommodates spare fibers for future use, enables service provider transitions, and allows efficient access points for technicians. This multi-functional infrastructure reduces costs and improves productivity by eliminating the need for repeated excavation and installation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If surface trenching is used instead of excavation, then ecological impact is minimized, but fiber line routing capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveecological impactVSAvoidfiber line routing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The apical conduit system is pre-installed within the road structure during initial construction, creating a protected routing pathway that maintains full fiber line routing capability. This preliminary action allows the system to achieve both minimal ecological impact (no future excavation needed) and maintained routing flexibility (multiple fibers can be routed through the pre-built conduits).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10536759B2Point-to-point fiber insertion

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC

AI summary

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing point-to-point fiber insertion within a passive optical network (“PON”) communications system. The PON communications system, associated with a first service provider or a first service, might include an F1 line(s) routed from a central office or DSLAM to a fiber distribution hub (“FDH”) located within a block or neighborhood of customer premises, via at least an apical conduit source slot, an F2 line(s) routed via various apical conduit components to a network access point (“NAP”) servicing customer premises, and an F3 line(s) distributed, at the NAP and from the F2 Line(s), to a network interface device or optical network terminal at each customer premises via various apical conduit components (e.g., in roadway surfaces). Point-to-point fiber insertion of another F1 line(s), associated with a second service provider or a second service, at either the NAP or the FDH (or outside these devices).