Optical Patch Panel with Signal Conversion and Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patch port devices are inadequate for modern optical networks as they primarily handle electrical signals and lack the capability to efficiently convert, inject, and monitor optical signals, limiting their functionality in higher transmission rate fiber optic systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical patch panel device that includes optical and electrical ports, converters, signal injectors, and monitors, with sensors to detect signal connections, allowing for active or inactive modes to manage signal injection and monitoring across optical and electrical domains, enabling seamless conversion and management of both optical and electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If fiber optic lines are used for higher transmission rates, then transmission speed is improved, but device compatibility and signal conversion capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patch panel device is designed to handle multiple signal types (optical and electrical) through a single device architecture. The optical input port receives optical signals while the electrical output port transmits electrical signals, with the optical-to-electrical converter enabling bidirectional signal conversion. This multi-functional design allows the device to work with both fiber optic lines for high-speed transmission and traditional electrical lines, resolving the contradiction between transmission speed improvement and device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical-to-electrical converter acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between optical signals from fiber optic lines and electrical signals required by traditional networking equipment. This mediator enables seamless signal conversion, allowing high-speed optical transmission to be compatible with electrical signal infrastructure, thus maintaining adaptability while achieving higher transmission rates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If patch port device handles both optical and electrical signals, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: an optical input port for receiving optical signals, an optical-to-electrical converter for signal conversion, an electrical output port for transmitting electrical signals, and a signal injector with separate optical and electrical injection capabilities. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal conversion function is extracted as a separate optical-to-electrical converter component, distinct from the signal injection and monitoring functions. This extraction simplifies the overall device architecture by clearly separating concerns: the converter handles optical-electrical transformation while the signal injector handles signal injection and monitoring, reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple functions within a single monolithic structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If signal injector is always active, then signal injection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal injector is designed with dynamic operation modes (active and inactive) that can be switched based on operational requirements. The device can transition between states: when signal injection is needed, the injector activates; when not needed, it enters an inactive low-power state. This dynamic operation maintains full signal injection capability when required while minimizing power consumption during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between capability and energy use.
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 efficient conversion, injection, and monitoring of optical and electrical signals, supporting higher transmission rates and flexibility in modern fiber optic networks, while being hot-swappable for ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical-to-electrical converter for generating the output electrical signal in response to the input optical signal
Implementation Method 2
an electrical-to-optical converter for generating the output optical signal in response to the input electrical signal
Implementation Method 3
a sensor that senses the connection of at least one of a second optical signal or a second electrical signal, wherein the sensor may comprise: a) a light emitter and a light sensor
Implementation Method 4
b) two capacitance plates
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of patch panel devices are enclosed. In some embodiments, signals received are in an electrical or optical form and converted to the other form. The converted signal is provided as an output signal. A version of the original input may also be provided as an input. A signal injector can inject a optical or electrical signal that is selectively injected into the output signals. Various embodiments also include sensor to detecting the connecting of an electrical or optical line.