Integrated Optical-Power Building Network for Redundant Uptime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building systems face fragmentation and inefficiency due to the integration of various electronic systems and cabling over time, leading to siloed and redundant networks that are difficult to manage, with off-site cloud computing systems unable to match the uptime and reliability of on-premise systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular solar-optical building network hypergraph that combines telecommunications and power networks using optical network terminals, splitters, line terminals, switches, routers, modems, automatic transfer switches, and a server system, enabling scalable, efficient, and redundant data and power connectivity without the need for specialized on-site personnel, and supporting virtualized and cloud computing applications through a shared server environment and GraphQL™ API data service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic systems and cabling are integrated over the building lifecycle, then system functionality is improved, but system fragmentation and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines telecommunications networks and power networks into a single integrated network infrastructure. Optical network terminals serve dual purposes by providing both data communication and power delivery through the same physical medium, eliminating the need for separate cabling systems and reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical network terminal is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: data transmission, power delivery, and network management. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to replace traditional separate telecommunications and power distribution infrastructures, improving adaptability while simplifying management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If off-site cloud computing systems are used, then scalability is improved, but uptime and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The computing infrastructure is segmented into hybrid architecture combining on-premise edge computing resources with off-site cloud resources. This segmentation allows critical functions to run locally for high availability while non-critical functions utilize cloud resources for scalability, achieving both reliability and adaptability simultaneously.
3Reliability
If dedicated hardware spaces are allocated, then system reliability is improved, but building space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges telecommunications equipment and power distribution equipment into shared housing units and common infrastructure spaces. Optical network terminals are distributed throughout the building without requiring dedicated equipment rooms, eliminating the need for separate hardware spaces while maintaining system reliability through distributed architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Herein is disclosed a combined telecommunications and power network, the network comprising: one or more optical network terminals; one or more optical network splitters, wherein each of the optical network splitters are optically connected to one or more of the optical network terminals; one or more optical line terminals, wherein each of the optical line terminals are optically connected to one or more of the optical network splitters; one or more network switches, wherein each of the network switches are connected to one or more of the optical line terminals; one or more routers, wherein each of the routers are connected to one or more of the network switches, and electrically connected to one or more modems; one or more automatic transfer switches, wherein each of the automatic transfer switches electrically powers one or more of the optical line terminals; one or more power sources, wherein each of the power sources is electrically connected to a respective one of the automatic transfer switches; and a server system, wherein the server system is in communication with one or more of: one or more of the network switches and one or more of the optical network terminals.