External Ethernet Qualification for PON Service Location Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for connecting new service locations to a passive optical network (PON) are manual, time-intensive, and rely heavily on technician expertise, often failing to consider critical factors like network equipment capabilities and loading, leading to inefficient resource usage and potential service gaps.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for qualifying external network facilities by determining candidate providers based on geospatial coordinates, selecting an optimal facility to deliver required end-user services, and automating the service delivery process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual technician methods are used to determine splice points, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and consistency deteriorate due to time-intensity and reliance on individual expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing customers to initiate service requests and receive automated qualification assessments without requiring manual technician intervention. The automated system independently evaluates external network provider qualifications, splice point options, and service eligibility, replacing the traditional manual technician assessment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of technician field visits and physical splice point identification with an automated electronic system. The system uses database queries, geospatial analysis, and automated decision logic to determine service eligibility and external network qualifications, eliminating the need for manual field operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If technician expertise and manual assessment are relied upon, then adaptability to individual situations is maintained, but reliability and consistency deteriorate due to variability in technician knowledge and experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the qualitative assessment process into quantitative parameter-based decisions. Instead of relying on technician judgment, the system evaluates specific parameters such as distance to external network providers, splice point availability, network capacity, and service requirements to automatically determine qualification status, ensuring consistent and reliable results.
3Device complexity
If conventional manual methods are used, then device complexity is kept simple, but loss of information occurs regarding network equipment capabilities, loading, and external provider options
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple assessment capabilities into a single automated platform. It simultaneously evaluates internal network capacity, external network provider qualifications, splice point feasibility, and service eligibility requirements, preventing information loss by considering all relevant factors in one comprehensive assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously querying network database information during the qualification assessment. It retrieves real-time data on network capacity, external provider availability, and splice point status, using this feedback to dynamically update qualification determinations and provide comprehensive service options to customers.
4Ease of manufacture
If manual field investigations are conducted to locate splice points, then ease of manufacture and installation is maintained, but loss of time increases due to technician travel and manual investigation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and pre-qualifying external network provider facilities and splice points before actual service installation. The automated system assesses eligibility, determines optimal connection points, and validates network capacity in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming field investigations during the actual service deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for qualifying external network facilities for a service location of a passive optical network (PON) of a PON service provider are presented. An exemplary method may include obtaining an indication of a service location of the PON and an indication of a set of required optical services at the service location; determining a group of candidate external network provider facilities for the service location of the PON based on geospatial coordinates of the service location and respective geospatial coordinates of the candidate external network provider facilities included in the group; selecting, from among the group of candidate external network provider facilities, an external network provider facility for providing the set of required optical services to the service location; and causing one or more optical services to be delivered to the service location via the selected external network provider facility.