Pluggable ONU Integration with Subscriber Premises Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs) face a bottleneck in delivering high bandwidth to end users due to limited access network capacity, and the existing ONU configuration requires a separate power supply and additional communication links, making upgrades costly and complex for subscribers.
Innovation Solution
A small form factor, pluggable optical network unit (ONU) with a bi-directional optical transceiver, ONU chip, pluggable interface, and power management module, allowing direct integration into subscriber premise equipment (SPE) without a separate power supply, and supporting various form factors like GBIC, SFP, and XFP for easy integration into existing network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional ONU configuration is used, then optical network functionality is provided, but additional communication links and separate power supply are required, increasing device complexity and deployment cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ONU functionality with existing Subscriber Premises Equipment (SPE) by integrating an optical transceiver module directly into the SPE chassis. This merging eliminates the need for separate ONU devices, power supplies, and communication links, thereby reducing device complexity and deployment costs while maintaining optical network functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables existing SPE to perform dual functions: its original electrical network functions plus optical network functions through the integrated transceiver module. This multi-functionality allows the SPE to serve as both the customer premises equipment and the optical network unit, eliminating the need for dedicated ONU hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If separate power supply is used for ONU, then reliable power is provided, but power supply complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated transceiver module draws power directly from the SPE's existing power supply through internal electrical connections, eliminating the need for separate power adapters or external power sources. The SPE's power system serves the transceiver module directly, reducing power supply complexity while maintaining reliable power delivery through the same electrical infrastructure already present in the customer premises equipment.
3Reliability
If additional communication links are added, then ONU connectivity is established, but network complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical communication interface directly into the SPE chassis, allowing the SPE to communicate with the optical network through integrated electrical and optical connections. This eliminates the need for separate communication links between ONU and SPE, reducing network complexity while maintaining reliable connectivity through the unified SPE-transceiver 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
This solution reduces the complexity and cost of EPON deployment by eliminating the need for additional communication links and power supplies, enabling cost-effective upgrades and efficient high-bandwidth delivery to subscribers through direct integration with existing network equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-directional optical transceiver configured to transmit optical signals to and receive optical signals from an optical line terminal (OLT)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a small form factor, pluggable ONU, which includes a bi-directional optical transceiver configured to transmit optical signals to and receive optical signals from an OLT. The ONU further includes an ONU chip coupled to the optical transceiver and configured to communicate with the OLT. Also included is a pluggable interface configured to electrically interface between the ONU chip and a piece of subscriber premise equipment (SPE). The ONU includes a power management module to provide power to the ONU chip and the optical transceiver, using power delivered from the SPE through the pluggable interface. The ONU is enclosed a small form factor enclosure, thereby allowing the pluggable ONU to be directly plugged into the SPE and providing an Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) uplink to the SPE without requiring an separate power supply.