Composite Cable Breakout Assembly for RRH Footprint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for minimizing cable deployment in remote radio head (RRH) technology for fiber-to-the-antenna (FTTA) installations are either bulky or lack terminals, increasing installation costs and lease expenses, and complicating cable handling.
Innovation Solution
A composite cable breakout assembly with an enclosure that separates fiber optic and electrical power cables, providing external connections through ports, and includes a grounding conductor for the composite cable, using adapters and connectors for secure optical and electrical connections, and optionally a sealing material for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If composite connectors are used to minimize cable quantity, then cable deployment is reduced, but the terminal becomes bulky and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The composite cable is segmented into separate fiber optic and electrical power cable portions within the enclosure. The breakout assembly divides the combined cable into distinct pathways, allowing each cable type to be handled and connected independently while maintaining the space-saving benefits of the composite structure.
2Quantity of substance
If composite connectors are used to minimize cable quantity, then cable deployment is reduced, but the terminal footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breakout assembly uses a nested structure where the separation mechanism and connection components are housed within a compact enclosure that fits around the composite cable. The fiber optic and electrical cable portions are routed through integrated pathways that minimize external footprint while providing separate access points.
3Area of stationary object
If no terminal is used to minimize footprint, then lease expenses are reduced, but cable handling and connection becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential terminal functions (separation and connection) from a traditional bulky terminal structure. The breakout assembly provides dedicated separation zones and connection points for both fiber optic and electrical cables, enabling easy handling and connection without requiring a large terminal enclosure.
4Ease of operation
If fiber optic and electrical cables are separated within enclosure, then connection ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breakout assembly uses universal connection interfaces and standardized routing structures that can accommodate both fiber optic and electrical cable connections. The same enclosure and separation mechanism handle both cable types, reducing overall device complexity despite providing separate connection capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A composite cable breakout assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an enclosure for receiving a composite cable having a fiber optic cable with at least one optical fiber and an electrical power cable with at least one electrical conductor. The enclosure has at least one port providing passage to the exterior of the enclosure. The at least one optical fiber is terminated by a fiber optic connector and the at least one electrical conductor is terminated by an electrical connector. Alternatively, the at least one optical fiber and the at least one electrical conductor may be terminated by a composite optical/electrical connector. The fiber optic cable and the electrical power cable route to the at least one port enabling connection external to the enclosure for extension of optical signal and electrical power to components external to the enclosure.