Indexing Cable Fan-Out Architecture for Fiber Network Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for cost-effective architectures to extend fiber optic networks closer to subscriber locations, as the demand for high bandwidth communication increases, and existing indexing architectures may not efficiently support this expansion.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an indexing cable with a main cable section and separate interface and branch cable sections at each end, where the branch sections have fewer optical fibers than the interface sections, and are terminated by multi-fiber connectors that index the fibers at sequential positions, allowing for efficient branching and connection of optical equipment along the fiber path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fiber optic network architectures are used to extend networks closer to subscriber locations, then network coverage is improved, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates due to high manufacturing and equipment costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork extension capabilityVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is divided into distinct sections: a main cable section containing multiple optical fibers, interface cable sections at each end containing subsets of fibers for connectorization, and branch cable sections containing fewer fibers for branching connections. This segmentation allows optimized manufacturing of each section and reduces overall system cost while enabling network extension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the cable have different fiber counts tailored to their specific functions. The interface cable sections have fewer fibers than the main cable, and branch cable sections have even fewer fibers. This local differentiation optimizes material usage and manufacturing costs while maintaining the required network extension functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If indexing architectures are implemented to support high bandwidth communication, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth communication capabilityVSAvoidarchitecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fibers are segmented into different sets (first set, second set, third set) that are routed to different connectors (first interface connector, second interface connector, branch connector). This segmentation simplifies the indexing architecture by organizing fibers into manageable groups with dedicated connection paths, reducing overall system complexity while supporting high bandwidth communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If branch cable sections with fewer fibers are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but connection versatility may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidconnection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The interface cable sections serve multiple functions: they provide connection points for both the main cable and branch cable sections, and they enable both through-connections (from one end to the other end of the indexing cable) and branch connections. This multi-functionality maintains connection versatility despite the reduced fiber count in branch sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11880081B2Indexing architecture including an optical fiber cable fan-out arrangement

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 COMMSCOPE CONNECTIVITY BELGIUM BVBA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to indexing cables for use in building fiber optic networks using an indexing architecture. In certain examples, fan-out structures are used. Certain types of indexing cables have one or more branch cable sections at each end. Certain types of indexing cables have multiple interface cable sections at one or both ends.