Distribution Point Controller for Selective Drop Connection Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in achieving high data rates while minimizing power consumption, especially in remote locations where power sources are scarce, and they often compromise on the desirable characteristics of point-to-point transmission architectures.
Innovation Solution
A point-to-multipoint communication system at a distribution point (DP) using a controller to selectively isolate drop connections and share components like analog front-end (AFE) circuitry and physical layer circuitry, employing G.hn protocol for high data rates over shared media, allowing for low power consumption and transitioning to point-to-point performance as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point architecture is used, then data security and noise immunity are improved, but power consumption increases due to separate transceivers for each drop connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drop connections into a single shared cable bundle, allowing one transceiver to serve multiple customers simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the total number of transceivers needed, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining point-to-point isolation through cable segmentation features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the shared cable into isolated segments using cable segmentation features. This allows multiple drop connections to share infrastructure while maintaining electrical isolation between them, preserving data security and noise immunity characteristics of point-to-point architecture.
2Use of energy by moving object
If point-to-multipoint architecture is used, then power consumption is reduced through resource sharing, but data security and noise immunity deteriorate due to shared media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent overcomes the limitations of point-to-multipoint architecture by implementing cable segmentation features that divide the shared cable into isolated segments. This allows resource sharing for power efficiency while maintaining electrical isolation to preserve data security and noise immunity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different characteristics to different parts of the system: shared infrastructure for power efficiency in common areas, and isolated segments for security and noise immunity at customer premises. Each segment has tailored electrical characteristics suited to its specific function.
3Speed
If fiber is extended all the way to customer premises, then data rates are improved, but deployment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension fiber deployment to a hybrid two-dimension approach: optical fiber for the expensive long-haul portion and copper for the short drop connections. This dimensional change in deployment strategy maintains high data rates while dramatically reducing deployment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication infrastructure into two parts: fiber optic backbone for high-speed long-distance transmission and copper drop connections for short-range customer access. This segmentation allows each medium to be used where it provides the most value, optimizing both performance and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller at a distribution point (DP) of a communication system is coupled to a plurality of customer premises (CP) transceivers via drop connections in a point-to-multipoint architecture. Each drop connection is coupled to at least one switch that operates under the control of the controller for selectively isolating the drop connection from the controller, as well as the CP transceivers of other drop connections. In this regard, by controlling the states of the switches, the DP controller can control to which of the CP transceivers it is communicatively connected, and during operation the DP controller controls the switches such that it is communicatively connected only to the CP transceivers for which communication is desired or needed during a particular time interval.