Remote DSLAM Cabinet Power via Subscriber Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for powering remote broadband cabinets are inefficient, as they either require costly and space-consuming power meters for mains power or long-distance cable pairs for remote powering from a Central Office, leading to increased installation and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize existing telephone lines from subscribers' homes to transport power to remote cabinets, converting and regulating AC power to DC for use in broadband equipment, thereby eliminating the need for long-distance cabling and reducing installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mains power is used to power the outdoor cabinet, then the cabinet can be powered reliably, but a power meter must be connected which takes up space and increases installation and operation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing telephone lines as an intermediary medium to transmit power from subscribers to the remote cabinet. Instead of directly connecting mains power through a power meter, the system uses the communication infrastructure (telephone lines) already present at the site to carry both data and power, eliminating the need for separate power meter installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing telephone lines are made multi-functional by using them for both communication and power transmission. This universal use of infrastructure eliminates the need for separate power supply equipment and reduces installation complexity while maintaining reliable power delivery to the remote cabinet.
2Reliability
If power is transmitted from the CO to the remote outdoor cabinet, then the cabinet can be powered, but unused cable pairs are required and the distance can be much longer than from cabinet to subscriber home
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting power from the distant Central Office to the remote cabinet, the system inverts the power flow direction by collecting power from nearby subscribers at the cabinet location and distributing it to equipment in the same cabinet. This reverses the traditional power delivery model to use shorter, existing local infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote cabinet becomes self-sufficient by harvesting power from the subscribers it already serves. Each subscriber's line contributes power locally, eliminating the need for long-distance power transmission from the CO and utilizing the existing cable infrastructure efficiently without requiring unused cable pairs.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing telephone lines are used to transport power, then installation costs are reduced, but power must be converted from AC to DC and regulated for transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The power conversion and regulation functions are merged into the existing subscriber equipment (CPE) and remote cabinet power management units. Instead of adding separate AC-to-DC conversion equipment at the cabinet, the system combines power harvesting, conversion, and regulation into the communication equipment already present, simplifying the overall installation while managing the technical complexity of power conversion.
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 effectively provides power to remote broadband cabinets using existing telephone lines, reducing installation costs and space requirements while maintaining reliable broadband service, with the ability to distribute power evenly among connected subscribers.
Implementation Method 1
converted from AC to DC power
Implementation Method 2
The voltage is further regulated for transmission to the remote cabinet, where the broadband service point regulates the received DC power to match the requirements of the broadband equipment in the cabinet
Data Source
AI summary
Power is supplied to telecom equipment in DSLAM outdoor/remote cabinets with relatively short distances between the subscriber and the cabinet. All of the subscriber Customer Premises Equipment connected to the DSLAM each provide a portion of the required power to the remote cabinet via the telephone line connecting the DSLAM and the subscriber CPE. The CPE at the subscriber premises is already connected to power mains in the subscriber premises so, providing power, via the telephone line to the outdoor cabinet is relatively simple. The remote cabinet includes a circuit for receiving the power input from each subscriber and then distributing the power, required by the DSLAM load, equally among the subscribers.