Optical Network Terminal Layout for Maintaining Fiber Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical networks face a reduction in effective fiber density as optical fibers are reallocated and connected in a way that decreases their density towards the downstream side, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A terminal design with input and output ports, wavelength demultiplexers, and distribution ports that maintain fiber density by connecting input and output fibers one-to-one via demultiplexers, allowing for equal numbers of demultiplexers and fibers, and setting different or same wavelength bands for each demultiplexer, enabling efficient signal distribution across a daisy-chain network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If optical fibers are reallocated and connected in a daisy-chain manner, then the network can be extended to cover wider areas, but the effective density of optical fibers decreases toward the downstream side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical fiber connections into two distinct segments: input optical fibers (121 to 124) that connect to wavelength demultiplexers, and output optical fibers (141 to 144) that connect to distribution ports. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain full fiber density independently, resolving the contradiction between network extension and fiber density maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wavelength demultiplexing as an additional dimension of fiber utilization. By demultiplexing optical signals into different wavelength bands (e.g., CB band, LB band) at each terminal, the system effectively increases the capacity of each physical fiber connection, allowing the network to extend further while maintaining effective density through wavelength division.
2Device complexity
If the number of optical fibers is reduced toward the downstream side, then the network configuration becomes simpler, but the effective density of optical fibers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each terminal unit universal by equipping it with both input ports (121 to 124) for receiving optical fibers and output ports (141 to 144) for sending optical fibers, along with wavelength demultiplexers. This multi-functional design allows every terminal to maintain full fiber density bidirectionally, eliminating the need to reduce fiber numbers for network simplicity while actually increasing overall network capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If wavelength demultiplexers are connected one-to-one with optical fibers, then the effective fiber density is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wavelength demultiplexer (50) with the terminal housing (10) into an integrated unit, and combines the input ports (121 to 124) and output ports (141 to 144) into a unified terminal structure. This merging approach maintains the one-to-one connection between demultiplexers and fibers for high density while reducing overall device complexity through integration.
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
Maintains effective fiber density throughout the network, ensuring equal input and output fiber counts, and allows for flexible wavelength band settings, facilitating efficient signal distribution to subscriber terminals.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of wavelength demultiplexers to which the optical signals introduced from the input port are input and configured to demultiplex the optical signals into a predetermined wavelength band and other wavelength bands
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal that inputs and outputs optical signals of optical fibers in an optical cable includes a housing, an input port that introduces the optical signals into an inside of the housing, wavelength demultiplexers that receive and demultiplex the introduced optical signals into a wavelength band and wavelength bands other than the wavelength band, a distribution port that distributes optical signals demultiplexed into the wavelength band to an external terminal, and an output port that extracts optical signals demultiplexed into the wavelength bands to an outside of the housing. A total number of the wavelength demultiplexers is equal to a total number of the optical fibers. Each of the wavelength demultiplexers is connected to a corresponding optical fiber of the optical fibers.