Optical Connection Verification Using Unused Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical connecting systems require multiple cables for data, power, and management signals, leading to potential signal interference and increased complexity during installation and maintenance, especially when checking connectivity between optical devices.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing unused fibers in multi-fiber connection cables with standardized connectors to implement a separate optical connection check system that transmits control signals independently of data paths, allowing for connection verification and management information transfer without affecting the wanted data signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cables are used for data, power, and management signals, then comprehensive functionality is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (data transmission, power delivery, management signaling, and connection verification) into a single optical cable system. The multi-fiber cable integrates optical data paths, optical power paths, and optical management paths, eliminating the need for separate electrical cables and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical cable system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting data signals, delivering power optically, carrying management information, and enabling connection verification. This multi-functional approach replaces traditional separate cables with a single universal optical solution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical cables are used for power and management signals, then functionality is achieved, but signal interference and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission for power delivery and management signaling. By using light instead of electricity, the system eliminates electromagnetic interference, ground loops, and safety hazards associated with electrical connections while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical signals serve as an intermediary medium to transfer power and management information without direct electrical contact. The optical cable acts as a mediator that converts electrical energy to optical energy for safe transmission, eliminating harmful electrical interference in the data path.
3Reliability
If connectivity check methods using test signals are implemented, then connection verification is achieved, but data signal presence is required and signal path interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber bundle into distinct functional paths: data paths, power paths, management paths, and verification paths. This segmentation allows connection verification to occur independently on dedicated fibers without requiring data signals or interfering with the data transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated verification fibers act as intermediaries for connection checking, separate from the data and power paths. These intermediary fibers enable independent verification of optical connection integrity without affecting other system operations or requiring active data signals.
4Reliability
If unused fibers in multi-fiber connectors are utilized, then connection verification capability is added, but fiber availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-fiber connector is segmented into functionally distinct groups: data fibers, power fibers, management fibers, and verification fibers. This segmentation allows each fiber to serve its designated purpose without interfering with others, maximizing the utility of all available fibers in the bundle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new functional dimension to the optical cable system by dedicating specific fibers to verification purposes. This dimensional expansion of functionality allows connection verification to coexist with data transmission, power delivery, and management signaling without compromising the versatility of the overall system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical connecting system for connecting a first and a second optical device, the optical connecting system comprising a first and a second multi-fiber device connector (108, 110) comprised in the first and second optical device (102, 104), respectively, and a multi-fiber optical connection cable (106) comprising a plurality of optical fibers (120) and having a first and a second multi-fiber cable connector (112, 114) at a respective first and second end thereof and being adapted to be connected to the first and second multi-fiber device connector (108, 110), wherein the first and second optical devices (102, 104) are configured to transmit to and/or receive from the respective other optical device (102, 104) one or more wanted optical data signals via selected optical fibers (120) of the multi-optical fiber connection cable (106). The system is characterized in that the first optical device (102) is configured to supply a first optical connection signal (Sc) to a transmit control port of the first multi-fiber device connector (108) and that the second optical device (104) is configured to receive the first optical connection signal (Sc) that is transmitted through a respective optical fiber (120) of the multi-fiber optical connection cable (106) to a receive control port of the second multi-fiber device connector (110), wherein no wanted optical data signal is transmitted over the optical path that guides the first optical connection signal (Sc), and in that the second optical device (104) is configured to detect whether the first optical connection signal (Sc) received matches one or more predetermined criteria, wherein the second optical device (104) is configured to assume a correct connection to the first optical device (102) via the multi-fiber optical connection cable (106) if the one or more predetermined criteria are matched.