Fiber Optic Cassette With VSFF Port for Redundant High-Density Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed networks face inefficiencies in cable management, connectivity, and fiber density due to the use of sub-optimal connectors, which hinder efficient installation and updating operations.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic cassette with a multifiber connector that includes a VSFF port and an electronic component to optically couple fibers, providing network redundancy and increased fiber density through aggregation or splitting functions, allowing efficient cable organization and polarity management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional single-fiber connectors are used, then cable management is simpler, but fiber density and network redundancy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fiber connections (two fibers) into a single connector interface (VSFF duplex connector), allowing multiple optical fibers to be terminated and managed through one unified connection point. This merging approach increases fiber density while simplifying cable management by reducing the number of separate connectors and cable routes needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic adapter is designed to accommodate multiple connection types and configurations (VSFF duplex connector, simplex connectors, different fiber counts) within a single device. The adapter can function as either an aggregation portion or splitter portion, providing multi-functionality that increases fiber density without proportionally increasing management complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple separate connectors are used for redundancy, then network redundancy is achieved, but port density and space utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fiber connections into a single VSFF duplex connector, allowing two separate fiber paths (providing redundancy) to be terminated within the space of what would traditionally require two separate connectors. This spatial merging maintains network redundancy while reducing the total area occupied in the cassette.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter design allows nested configurations where multiple connector interfaces are integrated within a compact housing. The VSFF duplex connector and other connectors are arranged to nest efficiently within the adapter body, maximizing space utilization while maintaining multiple connection points for redundancy.
3Quantity of substance
If higher density connectors are implemented, then fiber density increases, but installation and rework complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-density connection function into a modular adapter design that can be pre-assembled and tested before installation. The adapter acts as an intermediate module between the cable terminations and the cassette, allowing complex multi-fiber connections to be prepared separately and then easily integrated, reducing on-site installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic adapter serves as an intermediary device between the high-density VSFF connectors and the standard cassette interface. This mediator handles the complexity of multiple fiber alignments and connections internally, presenting a simplified interface to installers while achieving high fiber density behind the scenes.
4Reliability
If aggregation switches and splitters are added for redundancy, then network reliability improves, but device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of aggregation and splitting within a single adapter device, eliminating the need for separate aggregation switches and splitter components. By merging these functions into one integrated adapter, the number of devices to be installed and configured is reduced, decreasing installation time while maintaining network redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed to perform multiple functions (aggregation, splitting, connection termination) within a single device, reducing the total number of components needed for implementing redundancy. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate devices into one unit, streamlining installation while achieving the same reliability goals.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cassette may be configured to receive a multifiber connector that may provide network redundancy and increased fiber density. The fiber optic cassette may have an electronic component and a fiber optic adapter portion having a port portion configured to receive a very small form factor (VSFF) connector. The port portion of the fiber optic adapter may optically couple two fibers of the VSFF connector with two optical fibers. The electronic component may optically couple the two optical fibers with a single optical fiber. The electronic component may alternatively merge optical signals from the two optical fibers to the single optical fiber or split an optical signal from the single optical fiber to the two optical fibers so as to provide network redundancy of electronic components optically coupled in parallel to the port by the VSSF connector and/or to increase fiber density of the cassette.