Optical Terminal Splitter Reduces Fiber Count in Access Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber network architectures require extensive engineering and additional fiber installation to accommodate potential future subscribers, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple fibers and complex connector systems, especially when adding or removing subscribers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hybrid splitter network architecture with integrated optical splitters in terminals, allowing a single fiber to be split into multiple connections, reducing the number of fibers needed and enabling flexible terminal placement and configuration without requiring multiple fiber connections, thus simplifying the network and reducing capital investments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized splitter network architecture is used with multiple fibers for each potential subscriber, then service coverage is ensured, but the number of fibers and connectors increases, leading to increased complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fiber connections into a single fiber by integrating an optical splitter directly into the terminal device. Instead of having separate fibers for each subscriber, the terminal contains a splitter that divides one incoming fiber into multiple output connections for multiple subscribers, thereby reducing the overall number of fibers and connectors needed in the network while maintaining service coverage for all subscribers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extra fiber is installed to accommodate future expansion, then network scalability is improved, but the number of stranded ports increases and capital investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic terminal configuration where the optical splitter within the terminal can be reconfigured to serve different numbers of subscribers. Instead of installing fixed numbers of fibers for potential future expansion, the system allows terminals to be dynamically adjusted - a terminal with a 1x32 splitter can serve anywhere from 1 to 32 subscribers by simply reconfiguring which ports are active, eliminating the need to install extra fibers that would remain stranded.
3Area of stationary object
If terminals are placed far from the centralized splitter cabinet, then service area is expanded, but signal loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical network into multiple distributed terminal units, each containing its own optical splitter. Instead of having one centralized splitter cabinet serving a large area, multiple terminals are distributed throughout the service area, each serving a local group of subscribers. This segmentation reduces the distance between the splitter and each subscriber, minimizing signal loss while expanding the overall service area through multiple distributed points.
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
This approach reduces the number of connectors and fibers required, allows for scalable and flexible network configuration, and minimizes the need for additional fiber installations, lowering costs and simplifying maintenance, while maintaining high service reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The optical splitter 106 converts each input fiber into 'n' number of active fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal for connecting customers to an optical fiber network includes a terminal housing and an optical fiber splitter in the housing. An optical fiber cable stub extends from the housing. The optical fiber cable stub has an optical fiber extending therein that is coupled to the splitter in the housing. A plurality of termination connectors are connected to the housing. Ones of the termination connectors have a customer optical fiber connection point accessible from outside the terminal housing and respective optical fibers extending in the housing from the termination connectors to the splitter. The splitter is configured to couple the optical fiber from the optical fiber cable stub to the optical fibers extending from the termination connectors to couple a single optical fiber from the optical fiber cable stub to a plurality of customer optical fiber connection points.