Automatic Optical Patch Panels for Fiber Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central offices with single manual optical patch panels are prone to operational failures and labor-intensive repair processes, which are error-prone and inefficient due to the need for manual identification and reconnection of damaged fibers.
Innovation Solution
Implementation of automatic optical patch panels (AOPPs) with optical switches and splitters, allowing for remote management and testing of fibers, enabling automatic identification and rerouting of faulty fibers, and remote connection to test devices for efficient repair and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single manual optical patch panel is used in a central office, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the central office becomes inoperable if the patch panel fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single manual optical patch panel into multiple automatic optical patch panels (AOPPs), each managing a specific subset of fibers. This segmentation ensures that if one AOPP fails, the central office can continue operating through the other AOPPs, thereby improving reliability without requiring a complete system overhaul
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces automatic optical patch panels as intermediary devices between the fiber optic cables and routing devices. These AOPPs include optical switches and control circuits that automatically manage fiber connections, replacing the manual patch panel and providing both reliability improvement and operational automation
2Productivity
If manual fiber repair processes are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to labor-intensive repair operations
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic optical patch panels perform self-diagnosis and self-repair functions by automatically identifying damaged fibers and routing traffic around failures without human intervention. The system monitors fiber health continuously and can isolate or reroute fibers automatically, dramatically improving repair productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical fiber connection and testing processes with automated optical switching and electronic control systems. The AOPPs use electronic control circuits to manage optical connections automatically, substituting the labor-intensive manual processes with automated mechanical and electronic systems
3Manufacturing precision
If manual fiber identification and reconnection is performed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to error-prone manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic optical patch panels continuously monitor fiber health and connection status, providing real-time feedback to the control circuits. When a fiber failure is detected, the system automatically identifies the affected fiber and executes precise rerouting decisions based on this feedback, ensuring high connection accuracy without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual identification and physical fiber handling with automated optical detection and electronic control systems. The AOPPs use optical monitoring to precisely identify damaged fibers and electronic control to accurately reroute traffic, substituting imprecise manual operations with high-precision automated systems
4Reliability
If automatic optical patch panels with multiple optical switches are implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fiber management function into multiple independent AOPPs, each handling a specific fiber subset. This segmentation provides redundancy and reliability while keeping each individual AOPP relatively simple in structure, avoiding the complexity of a single massive system
Solution Approach 2:
Each automatic optical patch panel is designed as a universal module that can manage multiple fibers and provide both protection and rerouting functions. The AOPPs use the same basic optical switch and control circuit architecture for different fiber groups, achieving reliability through replication rather than through complex differentiation
Data Source
AI summary
In one implementation, a system detects that a fiber within a fiber optic cable has failed and automatically causes a location of a faulty portion of the fiber to be identified in response to the detecting. In another implementation, a central office includes a first optical patch panel operably coupled to an optical fiber and a second optical patch panel configured to couple the first optical patch panel to a test device. The optical fiber is automatically coupled to the test device in response to one or more signals from a remote management device.