Converged Fiber Distribution System for LAN and Cellular Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network architectures in buildings face challenges in meeting high-bitrate and low-latency requirements due to separate infrastructures for local area networks (LAN) and cellular networks, leading to increased complexity and costs, especially with the demand for higher frequencies and denser antenna nodes.
Innovation Solution
A converged fiber distribution system that combines LAN and cellular traffic onto a single shared fiber optic backbone using dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) and asymmetric couplers, enabling efficient distribution of time- and wavelength-division multiplexed signals with reduced material and installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate infrastructures are used for LAN and cellular networks, then each network can be independently optimized, but device complexity and deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LAN and cellular network infrastructures into a single shared fiber optic backbone. The headend unit integrates both network types, and fiber optic assembly units distribute signals for both networks simultaneously, reducing the number of separate infrastructures needed while maintaining independent optimization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic backbone and distribution units are designed to serve multiple functions - carrying both LAN traffic and cellular network traffic. The asymmetric couplers and filters enable a single infrastructure to handle different network protocols and signal types, making the system universal rather than specialized.
2Quantity of substance
If more point-to-point optical fibers are deployed to meet high bandwidth demands, then bandwidth capacity increases, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple network traffic types (LAN and cellular) are merged onto a single shared fiber optic backbone, eliminating the need for separate point-to-point fibers for each network type. This consolidation maintains high bandwidth capacity while significantly reducing deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The network is segmented into functional units (headend unit, fiber optic assembly units with asymmetric couplers) that can be deployed incrementally along the fiber backbone, allowing flexible bandwidth allocation without requiring complete point-to-point fiber deployment to all locations.
3Reliability
If TDM is used in POLAN architectures for upstream transmission, then interference at optical couplers is avoided, but upstream bandwidth and latency performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cellular network traffic from the TDM-based POLAN upstream structure and provides it with a dedicated wavelength channel through DWDM filtering. This allows cellular traffic to bypass the TDM timeslot limitations and achieve higher upstream bandwidth without causing interference to other networks.
4Quantity of substance
If separate network infrastructures are provided for high-bitrate applications, then bandwidth requirements are met, but material costs and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges high-bitrate cellular traffic and LAN traffic onto a single fiber optic infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate point-to-point optical fibers for cellular networks. This consolidation maintains high bandwidth capacity while significantly reducing material costs and installation expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared fiber optic backbone and distribution units are designed to universally support both high-bitrate cellular applications and standard LAN traffic, providing cost-effective access to high bandwidth capabilities without requiring separate specialized infrastructures.
5Productivity
If densification of antenna nodes is increased to meet capacity demands, then network capacity increases, but space requirements and deployment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple network functions into shared fiber optic assembly units that can be deployed in compact configurations. By consolidating LAN and cellular infrastructure, the system reduces the physical space needed for network equipment while supporting increased antenna node densification for higher network capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity for both LAN and cellular networks while reducing deployment costs and space requirements, supporting various communication protocols and applications with customizable network architectures.
Implementation Method 1
an asymmetric coupler configured to split an input fiber optic signal into a throughput fiber optic signal and an output fiber optic signal
Implementation Method 2
a dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) filter configured to filter a channel for a first network from the output fiber optic signal
Implementation Method 3
a splitter configured to split a wideband signal from the output fiber optic signal into a plurality of passive optical network (PON) outputs for a second network
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and assemblies for providing both cellular and passive optical local area network (POLAN) data signals along a single, shared fiber optic backbone within an in-building network architecture are provided herein. Systems include a headend unit that combines data signals from a cellular network and optical line terminal (OLT) onto the fiber optic backbone, which is then connected to a series of daisy-chained fiber optic assembly units. An example fiber optic assembly unit includes an asymmetric coupler that splits an input fiber optic signal from the fiber optic backbone into an output fiber optic signal and a throughput fiber optic signal that is fed back onto the continuing fiber optic backbone. The output fiber optic signal is filtered into dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) channels for providing data signals to a wireless or cellular network and further split into multiple passive optical network (PON) outputs for a local area network (LAN).