Optical-Electrical Converter for Existing Cable Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for connecting users to optical fiber networks are inadequate in terms of ease of installation, power supply, and bandwidth, as they often require complex civil engineering work and separate devices for conversion and power supply.
Innovation Solution
A communication device that uses existing electric cables, such as coaxial or telephone cables, to connect users to optical fibers, incorporating a conversion module for bidirectional signal conversion and a power supply module to eliminate the need for separate power sources and complex installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical fiber is installed directly to the user (FTTH), then communication speed is improved, but installation complexity increases due to required civil engineering work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (communication device with optical-electrical converter) that connects to the user installation via existing electrical cables while linking to the optical fiber network. This mediator enables high-speed optical communication without requiring direct fiber installation to the user, thus maintaining communication speed while avoiding complex civil engineering work.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device serves multiple functions: it acts as an optical-to-electrical converter, a signal transfer device across different communication bands, and a power supply interface. By integrating these functions into a single device that can utilize existing electrical cable infrastructure, the system achieves FTTH-like performance through a universal approach that works with pre-installed wiring.
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for signal conversion and power supply, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signal conversion function (converting optical signals to electrical signals in different communication bands) and the power supply function into a single integrated communication device. This merging reduces the number of separate devices while maintaining reliable functionality, as the integrated device manages both signal processing and power management through unified architecture.
3Ease of operation
If existing electrical cables are used for connection, then ease of installation is improved, but bandwidth capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs frequency division multiplexing by utilizing different communication bands (frequency dimensions) on the same electrical cable infrastructure. The device transfers signals between different communication bands, effectively expanding the usable bandwidth of existing electrical cables by operating in multiple frequency dimensions rather than being limited to a single band.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device changes the operational parameters by converting signals between different communication bands with different frequency characteristics. This parameter transformation allows the system to overcome the bandwidth limitations of electrical cables by operating in optimized frequency ranges for different types of signal transmission.
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 seamless connection to optical fibers without the need for physical fiber installation, simplifies installation by using existing cables, and integrates conversion and power supply functions, reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion module connected to said second connector, arranged to carry out a bidirectional conversion between the second optical signal into a third electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The device (1) has a conversion module (8) arranged to perform bidirectional conversion between first and second optical signals (S2, S3) occupying a first electrical communication band. A transfer module (10) is arranged to transfer a third optical signal (S1) between connectors (2, 6) in a second communication band. A power supply module (11) is arranged for providing electrical power from a supply voltage (POE) received in the third connector in a third communications band, which is separated from the first and second communication bands.