Portable Fiber Link Verification Using Geolocation and Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for checking the coverage of fiber optic links in FTTH networks are burdensome, costly, and unreliable, particularly due to the need for specialized equipment and operator intervention, which can lead to incorrect associations between estimated and actual OTB locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable device equipped with a processing unit, positioning unit, modem unit, and connection enabler, which retrieves data on fiber optic link establishment and geographical coordinates, encrypts this data, and transmits it via a mobile communication network to a coverage checking server for verification, ensuring secure and reliable link confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) testing is performed at the OLT using prior art techniques, then fiber optic link coverage can be checked, but the process becomes burdensome and costly with specialized equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The ONT performs self-identification and self-verification by automatically detecting its own presence on the fiber optic network, determining its geographical position, and validating link coverage without requiring external OTDR equipment or operator intervention. The device autonomously retrieves identification data from the network, compares it with stored expected data, and verifies coverage independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical measurement system (OTDR equipment) with an electronic/digital verification system. Instead of using optical reflectometry to physically measure the fiber link, the system uses electronic data exchange where the ONT sends its identification data and geographical coordinates to a server for automated verification, substituting physical measurement with information processing.
2Reliability
If manual OTDR testing is performed by operators, then link coverage can be verified, but errors occur in associating estimated OTB positions with actual locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the ONT automatically send its identification data and geographical coordinates to a server, which then compares the actual position data with the expected position data stored in the network. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual interpretation errors and ensures accurate association between measured and expected locations through direct data comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying of identification data and geographical coordinates to verify link coverage. Instead of relying on manual measurement and estimation, the system creates and compares digital copies of the ONT's identification information with expected data, ensuring precise and error-free location association through exact data matching.
3Ease of operation
If portable OTDR instruments are used for testing, then field verification is possible, but the process remains complex and requires specialized skills
Solution Approach 1:
The ONT performs self-verification by automatically detecting its own presence on the network, retrieving its identification data, determining its geographical position, and validating link coverage without requiring external portable equipment or specialized operator skills. The device autonomously completes the verification process that previously required complex portable OTDR instruments.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for checking coverage of a fiber optic link of a fiber optic network, the fiber optic link configured to connect an apparatus of a telecommunications service provider and terminal equipment within the fiber optic network, may include: a processing unit; a positioning unit; a modem unit; and a connection enabler. The modem unit may be configured to connect to the fiber optic link at the terminal equipment and may be configured to retrieve data indicating that the fiber optic link is established. The positioning unit may be configured to provide geographical coordinates of the device. The processing unit may be configured to provide encrypted data by encrypting the data indicating that the fiber optic link is established and the geographical coordinates of the device. The connection enabler may be configured to transmit the encrypted data to a coverage checking server via a mobile communication network.