Fiber-Coax Broadband Link for Unreplaceable Buried Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of upgrading coaxial cable networks to fiber optic networks is hindered by the inability to replace buried or inaccessible coaxial cables, leading to the need for maintaining separate coaxial and fiber networks, which is disruptive, costly, and results in customers refusing fiber upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A broadband network design incorporating fiber cables with unreplaceable sections of coaxial cable, utilizing wireless signal transmitters/receivers to convert Ethernet signals into electrical signals for transmission over coaxial cable, powered by the building's electrical supply, and integrating a remote PON ONT unit to enable full-fiber services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If coaxial cable is replaced with fiber cable to achieve faster broadband speeds, then network speed is improved, but installation becomes prohibitively expensive and disruptive when cable is directly buried
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into replaceable fiber portions and unreplaceable coaxial portions. The fiber cable replaces coaxial cable only in accessible sections (from distribution node to near the building), while buried coaxial cable sections that cannot be replaced are isolated and treated as separate, unchangeable segments. This allows the network to be upgraded to fiber where possible without requiring complete replacement of all coaxial infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless signal transmitters/receivers act as intermediary devices that bridge the fiber network and the unreplaceable coaxial cable sections. The transmitter converts Ethernet signals to wireless signals that couple onto the coaxial cable, and the receiver at the building converts them back, enabling data transmission over the legacy coaxial infrastructure without direct physical connection or modification to the buried cable.
2Reliability
If new fiber cable is installed by digging trenches under road surfaces, then network connectivity is improved, but road reinstatement becomes very costly and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The installation work is segmented to avoid trenching under road surfaces entirely. Fiber cable is installed only in accessible areas (aerially or in existing ducts), and the buried coaxial cable sections are left in place. This eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming road excavation and reinstatement while still providing fiber connectivity to the building through alternative routing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach of digging trenches to install fiber, the invention inverts the approach by leaving the buried coaxial cable in place and using wireless transmitters/receivers to bridge the gap. The fiber network is extended to near the building through accessible routes, and the final connection is made wirelessly through the existing buried infrastructure, completely avoiding road excavation.
3Speed
If coaxial cable is replaced with fiber cable, then data transmission speed is improved, but existing coaxial cable infrastructure becomes obsolete and requires complete replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmitter/receiver units serve multiple functions: they convert Ethernet signals to wireless signals, modulate these signals onto the coaxial cable carrier, and enable data transmission over the legacy infrastructure. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain compatibility with existing coaxial cable while providing fiber-equivalent speeds, eliminating the need for complete infrastructure replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless transmitter/receiver acts as an intermediary layer between the modern fiber network and the legacy coaxial infrastructure. It translates between Ethernet protocols and signals suitable for transmission over coaxial cable, allowing both old and new technologies to coexist and work together seamlessly without requiring complete replacement of either system.
4Ease of manufacture
If buried coaxial cable is left in place, then installation disruption is reduced, but data speeds remain limited compared to full fiber networks
Solution Approach 1:
The physical mechanical connection (direct fiber-to-building cable drop) is replaced with a wireless signal transmission system. Instead of physically connecting fiber cable directly to the building through buried conduits, the invention uses wireless transmitters/receivers that couple signals onto the existing coaxial cable, eliminating the need for physical modification of the buried infrastructure while achieving high data speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission medium parameters are changed from direct electrical/electromagnetic signaling over coaxial cable to wireless signal coupling. By modulating Ethernet signals onto wireless carriers that induce currents in the coaxial cable, the system achieves fiber-equivalent bandwidth over the legacy infrastructure without changing the physical cable itself or requiring excavation.
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
Enables faster data speeds over unreplaceable coaxial cable sections, eliminating the need for dual networks and allowing customers to access full-fiber services without disruptive installations.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless signal transmitter/receiver is connected at each end of each unreplaceable section of the coaxial cable to convert Ethernet signals to electrical signals to pass along the unreplaceable section of the coaxial cable
Implementation Method 2
electrical signals to pass along the unreplaceable section of the coaxial cable
Implementation Method 3
an optical transmitter/receiver called an ONT (Optical Network Termination) or an ONU (Optical Network Unit) that delivers data to the building
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a broadband network (2) comprising fiber cable and unreplaceable sections of coaxial cable (22) associated with buildings used by end users of the network, wherein a wireless signal transmitter/receiver (24, 26) is connected at each end of each unreplaceable section of the coaxial cable (22) to convert Ethernet signals to electrical signals to pass along the unreplaceable section of the coaxial cable (22). Electrical power for wireless signal transmitters/receivers (24, 26) is provided from a power source (40) associated with a user building, electrical power routed along the unreplaceable section of coaxial cable to reach at least one wireless signal transmitter/receiver (24). A method of conveying signals within a broadband network comprising fiber cable and unreplaceable sections of coaxial cable is also provided.