Hybrid Optical Fiber Cable Power and Signal Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing infrastructure for information transmission using copper wires faces challenges in increasing bandwidth without increasing size and weight, and migrating to optical fibers requires a separate power source, which can be unreliable in rural areas and complicates grounding for safety.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid cable design incorporating power supply lines and optical fiber signal lines with a grounding portion, either as a mesh wire or embedded/internal wires, allowing for independent power transmission and reliable grounding, reducing reliance on the local power grid and enhancing deployment flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of copper wires in a cable is increased to increase bandwidth, then the bandwidth capacity is improved, but the size and weight of the cable increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces copper-based electrical conductors with optical fiber conductors for signal transmission. This substitution eliminates the need to increase the number of heavy copper wires to achieve higher bandwidth, as optical fibers provide significantly higher bandwidth capacity with much lighter weight and smaller cable diameter.
2Productivity
If optical fiber is used instead of copper wires, then bandwidth and transmission speed are improved, but a separate power source is required which reduces reliability in areas without grid access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical fiber signal transmission capabilities with integrated power delivery functionality in a single hybrid cable system. Power conductors are incorporated alongside optical fibers, allowing the cable to simultaneously transmit both electrical power and optical signals, thereby eliminating the need for separate power sources and improving reliability in remote areas.
3Productivity
If optical fiber cable is deployed without a separate power source, then bandwidth is improved, but grounding becomes more complex to ensure safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates grounding conductors within the hybrid cable structure alongside optical fibers and power conductors. This unified approach allows the grounding system to be deployed concurrently with the cable installation, simplifying the overall deployment process and reducing the complexity of separate grounding system installation while maintaining safety standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid optical fiber cable is disclosed for supplying both signals and power. The hybrid optical fiber cable includes an inner jacket and an outer jacket. Multiple power supply lines and optical fiber signal lines are disposed within the inner jacket. The optical fiber signal lines are used only for transmitting video, data, voice, and/or control signals through the hybrid optical fiber cable. A grounding portion is also provided between the inner jacket and the outer jacket in order to provide a return current path for the hybrid optical fiber cable.