ONU Drop Fiber Acceptance Using Reflected Optical Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and maintenance of fiber to the home (FTTH) networks is costly and inefficient due to the need for specialized engineers to diagnose faults in drop fibers and other components, which is exacerbated by high labor costs in some countries.
Innovation Solution
The optical network unit (ONU) is equipped with a light source and optical power meter, allowing it to perform self-diagnosis of drop fiber installation and fault detection, eliminating the need for specialized engineers by using a reflector at the user access point to reflect light for loss determination within preset ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized engineers use optical power meters to diagnose faults in ODN, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ONU performs self-detection of the drop fiber by emitting test light through its own light source and measuring the reflected light using its own optical power meter, eliminating the need for external specialized engineers and equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The ONU is equipped with both a light source and an optical power meter, allowing it to perform multiple functions including normal optical signal reception and self-detection of drop fiber installation quality
2Reliability
If specialized engineers perform on-site acceptance and diagnosis, then reliability of installation quality assurance is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The ONU performs acceptance detection automatically after installation by emitting test light and measuring loss, so that installation quality is verified immediately without waiting for engineer arrival
Solution Approach 2:
The ONU automatically sends the measured loss value and acceptance result to the server, which then provides feedback to the user through the mobile terminal, creating a closed-loop quality assurance system
3Ease of operation
If users perform self-installation without specialized equipment, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ONU uses its own built-in light source and optical power meter to perform self-detection, enabling users to install and verify drop fibers without needing external specialized equipment or trained engineers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual measurement with automated electronic detection, where the ONU automatically emits light, measures reflected light, calculates loss, and sends results to the server
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
This solution reduces human resource costs and installation expenses by enabling users to self-install and diagnose FTTH components, facilitating remote troubleshooting and improving installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
starting, by the ONU according to the first acceptance request, the light source to emit first light that meets a preset condition
Implementation Method 2
receiving, by the ONU, second light, where the second light is light obtained after the first light is reflected by a reflector
Implementation Method 3
determining, by the ONU, a loss according to the first light and the second light by using the optical power meter
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a detection method, so that an optical network unit (ONU) performs acceptance on drop fiber installation, thereby eliminating a need of performing detection by specialized installation and maintenance engineers, saving human resources, and reducing costs. In the embodiments of this application, the method is applied to the optical network unit (ONU), a light source and an optical power meter are disposed in the ONU, and the method includes: obtaining, by the ONU, a first acceptance request; starting, by the ONU according to the first acceptance request, the light source to emit first light that meets a preset condition; receiving, by the ONU, second light, where the second light is light obtained after the first light is reflected by a reflector; determining and displaying, by the ONU, a loss according to the first light and the second light by using the optical power meter; and determining, if the loss falls within a preset range, that acceptance succeeds; or determining, if the loss falls beyond the preset range, that acceptance fails.