Optical Fiber Connection Testing With Hub-Controlled Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fiber connection testing methods are inefficient and unreliable, requiring skilled personnel at both the hub and distal locations, prone to parameter tampering, and result in up to 80% of connections not meeting standards due to inconsistent and erroneous testing.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber connection measurement system that allows testing at distal locations using a controller to set predetermined parameters, eliminating the need for real-time hub involvement, ensuring objective and reliable testing through a communication module and switch configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stand-alone testing devices are used at the hub, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to parameter tampering and inconsistent testing
Solution Approach 1:
A communication module serves as an intermediary between the distal testing device and the central hub controller. The controller sends predetermined testing parameters through this intermediary to the test module, preventing direct parameter modification while maintaining ease of operation through automated parameter management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the distal testing device communicate test requests and results through the communication module to the central hub. The hub controller monitors and validates testing parameters and results, creating a feedback loop that ensures reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If manual testing procedures with hub personnel are used, then reliability is improved through direct supervision, but productivity deteriorates due to congestion and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The distal testing device performs self-service by autonomously executing testing procedures using predetermined parameters received from the hub. The device independently manages its own testing operations, eliminating the need for continuous hub personnel involvement and thereby increasing productivity while maintaining reliability through parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
Testing parameters are predetermined and configured in advance by the hub controller before field deployment. This preliminary configuration allows distal devices to perform reliable testing independently without requiring real-time hub supervision, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If skilled personnel are deployed at both hub and distal locations, then reliability is improved through expert oversight, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical need for skilled personnel at distal locations with an automated testing device equipped with communication capabilities. The device electronically receives and executes predetermined parameters from the hub, substituting human expertise with automated control while maintaining reliability and reducing operational complexity.
4Measurement precision
If distal connections are tested sequentially at the hub, then measurement precision is improved through detailed testing, but loss of time increases due to waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple distal testing devices are pre-configured with identical predetermined parameters at the hub before deployment. This preliminary configuration enables parallel execution of precise measurements at multiple distal locations simultaneously, eliminating sequential waiting periods while maintaining measurement precision through consistent parameter application.
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
Improves testing reliability by eliminating parameter tampering and reducing the need for skilled personnel, ensuring that connections meet standards before installation is complete, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
a switch (14) arranged between the test module (13) connected to an input of the switch (14) and proximal ends of outgoing optical fibers (12) in the hub (10) connected to outputs of the switch (14)
Implementation Method 2
a test module, such as an optical time domain reflection 'OTDR' module, configured to test a distal connection quality of one of the individual optical fibers at a time
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical fiber connection measurement system, configured to test distal connection quality of individual outgoing optical fibers at a hub, comprising a test module, to test a distal connection quality of one of the individual optical fibers at a time. The optical fiber connection measurement system comprises a controller connected to the test module, a switch arranged between the test module connected to an input of the switch and proximal ends of the outgoing optical fibers in the hub connected to outputs of the switch, wherein the switch is connected to the controller and a communication module connected to the controller. The controller is configured to receive a test request via the communication module, to set the switch to optically connect the test module, a proximal end of one of the optical fibers associated with the distal end and activate the test module to test the connection quality.