Remote Node Architecture for Low Bit-Rate Fiber-Optic Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber-optic network architectures for low bit-rate data transmission, such as those used in smart metering applications, require a cost-effective and simple structure with high node count, which classic TDM networks like SONET/SDH fail to provide due to complexity and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A remote node architecture with a linear bus structure that optically passes digital signals through each node, creating echo signals as needed to maintain signal quality, using passive optical components and wavelength-dependent paths to reduce costs and improve reliability, allowing for a high number of nodes with low bandwidth requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a classic TDM network (SONET/SDH) is used for fiber-optic data transmission, then data transmission rate and network node interface structure are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of signal transmission from the complex TDM/SONET/SDH protocol stack, retaining only the optical pass-through capability while eliminating complex switching, multiplexing, and protocol processing functions. This creates a simplified remote node that merely transmits optical signals without electrical conversion or protocol handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive passive optical components (couplers, splitters, amplifiers) instead of expensive active TDM equipment. These simple components can be deployed in large quantities at low cost, replacing the costly, complex TDM network infrastructure while maintaining sufficient performance for low-bit-rate applications.
2Quantity of substance
If a linear bus geometry with high node count is implemented, then network scalability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but signal quality and bit error rate deteriorate due to signal deterioration over distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces passive optical amplifiers and couplers as intermediary elements along the linear bus to boost and redistribute optical signals. These intermediaries compensate for signal attenuation over long distances without requiring complex active regeneration, enabling the network to support many more nodes than would be possible with direct point-to-point connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic signal boosting through passive optical amplifiers positioned at regular intervals along the linear bus. This periodic reinforcement of the optical signal maintains signal quality across the entire network span, allowing high node counts while preserving reliability.
3Device complexity
If passive optical components are used to reduce cost, then device complexity and maintenance costs are reduced, but signal power and transmission distance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous optical signal transmission without electrical conversion interruptions. Passive optical components maintain the optical domain throughout the transmission path, eliminating the power losses and signal degradation associated with electro-optical conversions. This continuous optical action preserves signal power over extended distances while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a remote node architecture for a fiber-optic network, especially for low bit-rate data transmission, the fiber-optic network comprising a central node and a plurality of remote nodes serially connected to each other or to the central node, respectively, the central node and the remote node being capable of communicating by means of digital optical signals created by the central node or a respective remote node, each digital optical signal comprising a data frame. The remote node comprises an optical connection network, a single transceiver device comprising an optical receiver unit and an optical transmitter unit, and an electronic controller device for controlling the transceiver device. The optical connection network defines a western optical connection port, an eastern optical connection port, an internal optical receiving port being connected to the optical receiver unit and an internal optical transmitting port being connected to the optical transmitter unit, the western and eastern optical connection ports being connected via an optical pass-through path for passing through a digital optical signal received at the western or eastern optical connection port as digital optical pass-through signal to the respective other optical connection port with at least a portion of the optical power of the received digital optical signal. The controller device, the transceiver device and the optical connection network are designed such that for transmitting information from the remote node to the central node, the controller device creates a data frame including content data supplied to the controller device and address data for addressing the central node and controls the optical transmitter unit such that a digital optical transmit signal according to the data frame is created, the digital optical transmit signal being supplied at least to the optical connection port facing the central node, for receiving information from the central node, the receiver unit receives a digital optical transmit signal created by the central node or a digital optical echo signal created by another remote node, which is supplied to the western or eastern optical connection port and which comprises a data frame including content data and address data for addressing the remote node, with at least a given power portion at the internal optical receiving port, and the controller device processes the respective data frame, and for regenerating a digital optical transmit or echo signal received, the receiver unit receives a digital optical transmit signal created by the central node or a remote node or a digital optical echo signal created by another remote node, which is supplied to the western or eastern optical connection port and which comprises a data frame including content data and address data not addressing the remote node, with at least a given power portion at the internal optical receiving port, the controller device creates an echo data frame including the same content and address data as the received data frame and controls the optical transmitter unit such that a digital optical echo signal according to the echo data frame is created immediately or after a predetermined time interval after the end of the data frame of the received optical signal, the digital optical echo signal being output at the respective other optical connection port or at both optical connection ports. Further, the invention relates to a fiber-optic network architecture having a linear bus structure comprising a central node and a plurality of remote nodes having a respective architecture and to a simple method for transmitting digital data in a respective network architecture.