Fiber Optic Terminal Adapter Panel for High-Density Subscriber Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic terminals, particularly local convergence points (LCPs) and fiber distribution terminals (FDTs), face challenges in high-density configurations due to limited space for optical interconnection components and flexibility to accommodate new subscribers without disrupting existing connections.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a fiber optic terminal with an adapter module and adapter panel that optically connects network-side fibers to subscriber-side fibers, allowing for flexible and efficient routing and reconfiguration of optical connections through a common access point, facilitating high-density connections and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-density configurations are used to increase the number of subscribers serviced, then the terminal capacity is improved, but the available space for optical interconnection components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal/planar arrangements of optical components to a three-dimensional vertical stacking configuration. Multiple adapter panels are stacked vertically within the terminal enclosure, allowing optical interconnection components to be arranged in the vertical dimension rather than competing for horizontal space. This enables high-density subscriber service capacity while maintaining adequate space for all necessary optical components through spatial reorganization across multiple dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If more optical connections are established to service more subscribers, then the terminal capacity is improved, but the flexibility to add new connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into multiple independent adapter panels, each capable of providing a complete set of optical interconnection functions. This segmentation allows individual panels to be accessed, removed, or reconfigured independently without disrupting connections on other panels. When new subscriber connections need to be added, technicians can work on specific panels rather than having to reconfigure the entire terminal, thereby maintaining high flexibility even with high connection density.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing connections are reconfigured to access new connections, then new subscribers can be added, but service disruption to existing connections occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is pre-configured with multiple adapter panels that provide redundant pathways and unused connection points. Before new subscriber connections need to be established, available ports and routing paths are already prepared on the adapter panels. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to reconfigure existing active connections, as new connections can be established at pre-designated available ports without touching or disrupting service to existing subscribers, thereby maintaining service reliability while enabling subscriber addition.
4Device complexity
If a common adapter panel is used for both input and output fibers, then device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each adapter panel is designed with locally differentiated zones or regions: one side or section dedicated to input fiber adapters and another side or section dedicated to output fiber adapters. This local quality differentiation on each panel allows technicians to quickly identify and access the appropriate fiber type without confusion. Visual markers, color-coding, or spatial organization on each panel clearly distinguish input from output sides, making operation intuitive and error-free while still using a unified panel design for both fiber types.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic terminal configured to optically connect optical fibers from received network-side and subscriber-side fiber(s) to facilitate providing direct or intermediate optical connections between a fiber optic network and a destination. The fiber optic terminal includes at least one adapter module comprising at least one adapter panel. The adapter panel is configured to receive both an input fiber and one or more of a plurality of output fibers from an optical splitter. To establish optical connections between the network-side and subscriber-side fiber(s), the input fiber from the optical splitter is optically connected to an input fiber optic adapter on the adapter panel, which is optically connected to the at least one network-side fiber. One or more of the plurality of output fibers from the optical splitter are optically connected to one or more output fiber optic adapters on the adapter panel, which are optically connected to the subscriber-side fibers.