ONU Reverse Power Redundancy with Fault Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber-fed Optical Network Unit (ONU) telecommunications systems require expensive power rectifiers and AC mains for powering, lacking management control and redundancy, and there is a need to differentiate between intentional power removal and ONU failure.
Innovation Solution
A redundant reverse power communication system where multiple Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) devices provide power to a fiber-fed remote ONU, using a power management circuit and processor to discriminate between different power fault conditions, including intentional power removal and device failures, through voltage sensing and alarm processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple CPE devices provide reverse power to ONU, then power redundancy and management control are improved, but device complexity and system configuration become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management function into separate components: CPE devices independently provide reverse power through their respective communication ports, the power management circuit at ONU independently manages power from each port, and the processor independently discriminates fault conditions. This segmentation allows each component to operate autonomously while maintaining overall system reliability through redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the power management circuit continuously monitors power status at each communication port and provides power status signals to the processor. The processor receives alarm signals from CPE devices, processes this feedback information, and discriminates between different fault conditions. This feedback loop enables automatic fault detection and reporting without requiring complex manual configuration.
2Measurement precision
If voltage sensing and alarm processing are implemented, then fault discrimination capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the processor multi-functional by enabling it to perform both data communication processing and power fault discrimination. The same processor that manages communication protocols also receives alarm signals, processes voltage sensing data, and discriminates between different fault conditions. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated fault detection hardware, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voltage sensing circuit, alarm processing function, and fault discrimination logic into a unified power management system at the ONU. The power management circuit combines power reception from multiple ports with monitoring and status signaling functions. The processor combines alarm reception, data processing, and fault discrimination capabilities. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving precise fault discrimination.
3Reliability
If power status monitoring is implemented at each communication port, then power fault detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial monitoring where the power management circuit monitors power status at each communication port, but the processor only actively processes alarm signals and performs fault discrimination when anomalies are detected. During normal operation, the system consumes minimal energy by maintaining basic power status signals without continuous active processing. This partial action approach provides adequate fault detection while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit performs self-service by automatically monitoring power status at each communication port and generating power status signals without requiring continuous processor intervention. The system uses passive voltage sensing that consumes minimal energy, and only activates active processing when alarm conditions are triggered. This self-service approach enables reliable fault detection while keeping energy consumption low during normal operation.
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
Enables cost-effective power management with enhanced redundancy and fault discrimination, allowing service providers to differentiate between customer-initiated power removal and ONU failures, ensuring reliable service and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The ONU includes a voltage sensing circuit configured to sense voltage at the tip/ring interface
Implementation Method 2
multiple CPE devices push power up multiple service pairs to power a fiber-fed remote ONU
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication system includes a plurality of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) each having a reverse power supply and configured to transmit and receive data and provide power over a wire pair connected thereto. An optical network unit is formed as a plurality of communication ports. A respective communication port is configured to provide communications data service with a respective CPE by transmitting and receiving data therewith. A power management circuit is connected to the communication ports and configured to receive power provided by each reverse power supply at a respective CPE and manage power consumption in the ONU. A processor is configured to receive alarms generated by at least one of a CPE and ONU indicative of a power fault condition and process the alarms and discriminate between different power fault conditions.