Compact ONT Plug for High-Speed Optical Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) are large and non-portable, requiring dedicated power supplies, which limits their flexibility and efficiency in high-speed optical communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A portable ONT Plug (OP) with a modular electrical connector, signal converter, and optical and power hybrid (OPH) interface, allowing seamless conversion between optical and electrical signals, and drawing power from a connected source, facilitating network access with a small-form factor and efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional ONT is used to provide optical network interface, then reliable optical signal conversion is achieved, but the device becomes large in size and non-portable
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional ONT is segmented into a compact ONT plug portion that interfaces with user equipment and a separate optical interface portion. This segmentation allows the optical conversion function to be maintained while reducing the size of the portion that needs to be portable and accessible to users.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable computing device serves as an intermediary between the compact ONT plug and the optical network. The ONT plug establishes a wireless connection with the portable computing device, which then handles the optical signal conversion and network communication functions, enabling reliable optical networking in a compact form factor.
2Reliability
If a conventional ONT is used to ensure stable optical connection, then dedicated power supply is required, but power consumption increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable computing device performs multiple functions including optical signal conversion, network communication, and power management. By utilizing the existing power capabilities of the portable computing device (such as USB power delivery), the system eliminates the need for a dedicated power supply while maintaining stable optical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable computing device provides self-service by using its own power management capabilities to supply power to the ONT plug. This eliminates the need for external dedicated power supplies and reduces overall power consumption while maintaining connection stability.
3Power
If conventional ONT with dedicated power supply is used, then sufficient power for optical conversion is ensured, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable computing device serves as a universal power source that can provide sufficient power to the ONT plug through standard interfaces like USB. This eliminates the need for dedicated power supply circuits and reduces device complexity while ensuring adequate power capacity for optical conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply function is extracted from the ONT plug and transferred to the portable computing device. This extraction simplifies the ONT plug design by removing dedicated power supply components while the portable computing device's existing power delivery capabilities provide the necessary power capacity.
4Speed
If conventional ONT is deployed to provide optical network access, then high-speed transmission is achieved, but portability and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a compact ONT plug that provides the high-speed optical interface and a portable computing device that provides processing and connectivity. This segmentation maintains high-speed transmission capabilities through the optical interface while the portable nature of the computing device provides ease of operation and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable computing device acts as an intermediary that bridges the high-speed optical network and portable user devices. It maintains high-speed transmission through the optical interface while providing portability and ease of operation through wireless connectivity to various user devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The OP enables easy access to optical networks, reduces resource consumption, and simplifies network connections by providing a compact, power-efficient solution for high-speed data transmission between user equipment and optical networks.
Implementation Method 1
The signal converter converts data between optical signals and electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
A communications network, in one embodiment, includes a passive optical network (“PON”) network, user equipment (“UE”), and optical network terminal (“ONT”) plug to facilitate data transfer via an optical network. The PON network containing at least one fiber splitter and one optical line terminal (“OLT”) is capable of transmitting optical data. The UE having a high-speed electrical (“HSE”) port is able to process information based on electrical signals received from the HSE port. The ONT plug, in one embodiment, includes a modular electrical connector, a signal converter, and an optical and power hybrid (“OPH”) interface. The modular electrical connector contains at least eight (8) electrical contacts with eight (8) positions and can be inserted into the HSE port. The signal converter is used to convert optical signals received from the optical interface to electrical signals.