AR-Guided ONT Repair Using Wireless PON Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PON troubleshooting requires extensive technician experience, and locating and diagnosing network failures in PONs is time-consuming and challenging due to the need for direct optical fiber communication, which is hindered by network failures.
Innovation Solution
A client device directly connects to an ONT in the PON via short-range communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) to receive real-time diagnostic information, providing step-by-step repair instructions through augmented reality overlays on a transparent display, guiding users to locate and repair network components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a technician uses conventional troubleshooting methods requiring direct optical fiber communication to diagnose PON failures, then diagnostic information can be obtained from network equipment, but the process is time-consuming and requires extensive technician experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the technician and the PON equipment. The mobile device establishes a short-range wireless connection (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC) to the ONT, serving as a mediator that can retrieve diagnostic information without requiring direct optical fiber communication through the failed network path. This intermediary approach allows technicians to bypass the failed optical connection while still accessing equipment diagnostics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/physical approach of directly accessing optical fiber connections with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. Instead of requiring physical connection through optical fibers to diagnose equipment, the system uses wireless electromagnetic communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) to transmit diagnostic data, substituting a failed mechanical/optical system with an alternative electromagnetic communication pathway.
2Loss of information
If a technician needs to locate network equipment within a customer's residence, then diagnostic information can be obtained, but the technician has difficulty locating the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile device receives location information from GPS or other positioning systems and provides real-time feedback to the technician about the location of PON equipment. The system continuously monitors and updates equipment location data, allowing technicians to track and locate equipment efficiently within customer premises without manual searching.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a diagnostic tool, a location finder, a communication bridge, and a guidance system all in one device. By integrating GPS positioning, wireless communication capabilities, and diagnostic software into a single universal device, the system eliminates the need for separate tools for locating and diagnosing equipment.
3Measurement precision
If a technician needs years of training and experience to quickly identify and resolve PON issues, then accurate diagnosis can be achieved, but the complexity of requiring expert knowledge increases the difficulty of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service diagnostics where the system automatically performs diagnostic tests, analyzes results, and provides guidance without requiring deep technician expertise. The ONT autonomously runs diagnostic routines when accessed via the mobile device, and the system self-analyzes the collected data to identify problems, reducing the need for human expert judgment while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device and its software act as an intelligent intermediary that translates complex diagnostic data into actionable insights. Rather than requiring the technician to interpret raw diagnostic information, the intermediary system processes the data, identifies issues, and presents simplified recommendations, bridging the gap between complex equipment data and user-friendly guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for augmenting repair of a network failure in a Passive Optical Network (PON) include receiving sensor data at a client device indicating a current environment that includes an optical network terminal (ONT) in a PON. The PON includes an optical line terminal (OLT) optically connected to the ONT via one or more optical fibers. The client device analyzes the current environment to detect a cause of a network failure corresponding to the ONT, and generates a set of instructions for repairing the ONT based on the detected cause of the network failure. Then the client device provides the set of instructions for a user to follow to repair the ONT. The set of instructions are provided as the user repairs the ONT.