Compact Local Convergence Point Terminal for Rural Fiber Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber distribution hub (FDH) cabinets are large, bulky, and inefficient, leading to significant insertion losses and increased costs due to their size and internal optical connections, making them unsuitable for rural deployments where space and cost are concerns.
Innovation Solution
The development of compact local convergence point terminals with low insertion loss, featuring a shell with input and output connection ports, a fiber bundle, and splitter assemblies that route optical fibers directly to output ports, eliminating internal fanouts and connectors, and utilizing 8-fiber ribbons and multi-fiber connectors for efficient fiber distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fiber distribution hub cabinets are used to provide optical fiber distribution, then the device can handle a large number of optical connections, but the device becomes large and bulky, occupying significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional large FDH cabinet into multiple smaller local convergence point terminals. Each LCP terminal handles a subset of optical connections (e.g., 1:8, 1:16, 1:32 splitting ratios), allowing the system to maintain high connection capacity while reducing the physical size of individual devices. This segmentation enables distributed deployment across multiple locations rather than consolidating all connections in one large cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional cabinet layout to a three-dimensional integrated structure within the LCP terminal. By utilizing vertical space and implementing multi-layer fiber routing inside the compact housing, the device achieves high connection density without increasing its external footprint, effectively adding a dimensional approach to space utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fiber distribution hub cabinets with many internal optical connections are used, then comprehensive fiber distribution is achieved, but insertion losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate optical connections from the fiber distribution path. By using integrated splitter assemblies that directly couple input fibers to output ports without requiring multiple intermediate connectors and adapter interfaces, the design removes sources of insertion loss while maintaining comprehensive fiber distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of fiber routing, splitting, and connection management into integrated splitter assemblies. Each assembly combines the optical splitter, input fiber coupling, and output port connections into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate intermediate connections and reducing cumulative insertion losses that would occur with multiple discrete components.
3Reliability
If traditional large FDH cabinets are deployed, then robust optical connections can be established, but installation and deployment become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the splitter assemblies with integrated fiber routing and connection interfaces during manufacturing. The devices arrive at deployment sites ready-to-install, with fibers pre-terminated and connected to the appropriate splitter ports, eliminating the need for complex field configuration and reducing installation time while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the complexity parameter of installation by transitioning from manual fiber routing and connectorization in large cabinets to plug-and-play modular LCP terminals. The standardized interfaces and integrated assemblies reduce the skill level and time required for installation, while the robust internal construction maintains optical connection reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more internal optical connections are added to FDH cabinets to serve more subscribers, then distribution capacity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distribution function across multiple standardized LCP terminal units, each with fixed splitter ratios (1:8, 1:16, 1:32). This modular approach allows system designers to scale distribution capacity by adding identical standardized units rather than increasing the complexity of individual devices, maintaining manageable internal connection complexity while achieving high overall capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal LCP terminal designs that can serve multiple subscriber configurations through standardized splitter assemblies. A single LCP terminal design with configurable splitter ratios can accommodate various distribution needs (8, 16, or 32 outputs), eliminating the need for multiple specialized device types and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a local convergence point terminal includes a shell including a cavity, an input connection port including a port opening, a plurality of output connection ports including a port opening extending from the outer surface of the shell into the cavity, an input cable including a first fiber bundle having a plurality of input optical fibers, where the input cable is at least partially disposed within the input connection port, and a plurality of splitter assemblies within the cavity, each splitter assembly including an optical splitter, a splitter input optical fiber and a plurality of splitter output optical fibers, where a number of splitter optical fibers for each splitter assembly is a multiple of a number of input optical fibers of the input cable such that each plurality of splitter output optical fibers is routed to an individual output connection port.