Passive Fiber Indexing for Optical Network Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive optical networks face challenges in efficiently deploying high-bandwidth communication capabilities without active electronic devices, requiring innovative architectures and components to reduce complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
Innovation Solution
A distributed optical network architecture utilizing indexing terminals daisy-chained together with ruggedized multi-fiber connectors and a bi-directional signal pathway, enabling efficient fiber distribution and splitting, and reducing the need for customization of components by indexing fibers consistently across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active electronic devices such as amplifiers and repeaters are used between central office and subscriber termination, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but network complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes active electronic devices (amplifiers and repeaters) from the network architecture, extracting only the essential passive optical components needed for signal transmission. This extraction eliminates the complexity and cost associated with active devices while maintaining network functionality through passive optical splitting and fiber distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs passive optical components that are simpler, more reliable, and cost-effective compared to active electronic devices. These passive components (optical splitters, fiber cables, connectors) serve as durable alternatives that reduce both initial deployment cost and long-term maintenance complexity.
2Reliability
If active electronic devices such as amplifiers and repeaters are used between central office and subscriber termination, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but network cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates expensive active electronic devices from the network, replacing them with cost-effective passive optical components. This removal of active devices directly reduces both equipment costs and installation complexities while maintaining adequate signal transmission through passive optical distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive active electronic equipment with inexpensive passive optical components such as fiber optic cables, optical splitters, and simple connectors. These passive components significantly reduce the overall network cost while providing sufficient reliability for high-bandwidth communication delivery.
3Productivity
If fiber optic lines are indexed in only one direction, then deployment simplicity is maintained, but network capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fiber optic cable into individually indexable sections, allowing each fiber to be independently identified and routed. This segmentation enables bidirectional indexing where fibers can be tracked in both directions from the distribution hub, effectively doubling network capacity without requiring complex reconfiguration of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a second directional dimension to fiber indexing by implementing indexing terminals that can identify and route fibers in both forward and reverse directions. This dimensional expansion from unidirectional to bidirectional indexing充分利用 both live and previously unused dead fibers, effectively doubling the network's productive capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and method for deploying a fiber optic network. Distribution devices are used to index fibers within the system to ensure that live fibers are provided at output locations throughout the system. In an example, fibers can be indexed in multiple directions within the system. In an example, fibers can be stored and deployed form storage spools.