Multicore Fiber Connector Port Identification for Network Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction and management of optical communication networks using multi-core fibers are hindered by the need for operators to distinguish between normal-type and reverse-type fiber connected bodies, requiring knowledge of port connections and coupling structures, which complicates operations such as adding or removing nodes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multi-core fiber connected bodies with either reversely symmetrical or congruent coupling structures, where FI/FO devices have identifiable ports, simplifies network construction by allowing operators to connect without needing to identify the type of coupling structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators connect FI/FO devices to multi-core fiber connected bodies, then optical communication networks can be constructed, but operators need to distinguish between normal-type and reverse-type fiber connected bodies, requiring knowledge of port connections and coupling structures, which complicates operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to the housing of FI/FO devices and multi-core fiber connected bodies to indicate their types. Normal-type devices have one color while reverse-type devices have another color. This visual differentiation allows operators to quickly identify device types without needing to memorize complex coupling structure knowledge, thereby simplifying connection operations while maintaining system functionality.
2Reliability
If operators need to know whether the multi-core fiber connected body is normal-type or reverse-type, then correct port connections can be made, but the number of knowledge requirements increases, making network construction and expansion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By assigning distinct colors to the housings of normal-type and reverse-type FI/FO devices and multi-core fiber connected bodies, the patent provides immediate visual feedback about device types. Operators can reliably identify whether a device is normal-type or reverse-type by simply observing its housing color, eliminating the need to memorize or calculate coupling structure relationships. This maintains connection accuracy while dramatically reducing the cognitive load and knowledge requirements for operators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-core fiber connected bodies with different coupling structures are used, then network flexibility is improved, but the difficulty of network construction and node management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color coding on device housings to differentiate between normal-type and reverse-type FI/FO devices and multi-core fiber connected bodies. This visual system allows operators to quickly identify device types during network construction and expansion, enabling flexible network configuration while maintaining ease of operation. Operators can seamlessly work with different device types without needing to understand or calculate their specific coupling structure relationships, as the color codes provide immediate guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication network includes: nodes; and a domain in which all of transmission paths that connect the nodes within the domain are constituted by multi-core fiber connected bodies, each of which includes one or more multi-core fibers and one or more pairs of Fan-In/Fan-Out (FI/FO) devices respectively connected to ends of a corresponding one of the one or more multi-core fibers. Each pair of the one or more pairs of FI/FO devices connected to ends of the corresponding one of the one or more multi-core fibers has a reversely symmetrical coupling structure. Each of the one or more pairs of FI/FO devices includes ports identifiable from each other and coupled with respective cores of the one or more multi-core fibers.