External REIN Filter Coupling for Telecommunications Cable Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Repetitive Electrical Impulse Noise (REIN) and Single High level Impulse Noise Event (SHINE) interfere with fixed-access telecommunication networks, particularly due to electrical induction from nearby equipment, and existing solutions require access to customer premises for installation, which is not always feasible.

Innovation Solution

An electric filtering device with a REIN filter connected to a telecommunications cable via electrical contacts, housed in a waterproof enclosure, coupled to an external distribution point outside customer premises, effectively filtering noise before it reaches a bundle of cables, using crimp connectors and a mechanical shock-absorbing material, and capable of operating in outdoor conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a REIN filter is installed within customer premises (e.g., in a DSL faceplate), then the filtering effect is achieved, but access to customer premises is required which is not always possible or convenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external distribution point as an intermediary location between the noise source at customer premises and the network infrastructure. The filtering device is installed at this intermediary point, allowing filtering functionality to be achieved without requiring direct access to customer premises while still protecting the network from REIN generated within premises.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the filtering device is installed at an external distribution point, then access to customer premises is avoided, but the device must withstand outdoor environmental conditions and mechanical shocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a mechanical shock-absorbing material within the enclosure to cushion and absorb mechanical shocks before they reach the sensitive electronic components. This beforehand protection allows the device to be installed in outdoor locations where it may be subjected to physical impacts without compromising the internal electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure is designed with specific material properties and structural characteristics to resist environmental factors including UV radiation, moisture, and temperature variations. By changing the physical and chemical parameters of the enclosure materials, the device achieves the necessary environmental resistance for outdoor installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the enclosure provides comprehensive environmental protection, then the device can operate outdoors, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection against shocks, thermal insulation against temperature variations, protection against moisture and UV radiation, and structural mounting capabilities. By integrating these multiple protective functions into a single enclosure structure, the patent avoids the need for separate protective components that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The device effectively reduces REIN and SHINE interference by coupling to an external distribution point, providing a differential mode impedance of at least 500 and common mode loss greater than 20 dB, while being resistant to environmental conditions and mechanical shocks, thus alleviating network interference without requiring access to customer premises.

Implementation Method 1

providing a differential mode impedance of at least 500

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential mode impedance: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Implementation Method 2

common mode loss greater than 20 dB

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCommon mode loss: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

capable of operating in outdoor conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical shock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11664847B2Electric filtering device

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 BRITISH TELECOM PLC

AI summary

An electric filtering device (200) for filtering Repetitive Electrical Impulse Noise (REIN) in a fixed-access telecommunications network (100), the electric filtering device comprising: a REIN filter (210), said REIN filter comprising a first electrical contact (220-1) and a second electrical contact (220-2) for connecting to a telecommunications cable (140) of the fixed-access telecommunications network; an enclosure (230) for enclosing the REIN filter; an input (250-1) and an output (250-2), formed as part of the enclosure, each for receiving a telecommunications cable (140) so as to be connected to the first and the second electrical contacts, thereby to connect the REIN filter to the fixed-access telecommunications network; a coupling formation (260) for coupling the electric filtering device to an external distribution point (130) for a telecommunications cable of the fixed-access telecommunications network.