Self-reporting optical connector with photodetector monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, especially in fiber-to-the-home setups, self-installation processes often fail due to unknown fiber disruptions at customer premises, leading to delays and inefficiencies, as existing technologies lack real-time monitoring and reporting capabilities to detect and address optical fiber connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A self-reporting optical connector device that includes a photodetector, a controller, and a reflective element, which redirects optical signals to detect fiber status and sends status indications wirelessly, enabling local and remote monitoring and reporting of fiber connectivity, thereby facilitating autonomous detection and notification of issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional optical connectors are used without monitoring capabilities, then device complexity is low, but fiber connectivity status cannot be detected in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector performs self-diagnosis by using its own transmitted optical signals to detect fiber connectivity status through embedded photodetectors, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems or manual testing
Solution Approach 2:
The optical connector integrates multiple functions: signal transmission through optical fibers and connectivity monitoring through photodetectors and reflective elements, allowing a single device to serve both communication and diagnostic purposes
2Loss of time
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then installation delays are reduced, but energy consumption increases due to continuous operation of photodetectors and wireless communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs monitoring at periodic intervals rather than continuously, with the controller activating photodetectors and wireless communication only when needed to report status changes or during scheduled check-ins, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining timely detection capability
3Measurement precision
If optical signals are redirected to photodetector, then fiber status can be detected, but signal loss occurs in the primary optical path
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective element is positioned to intercept only a localized portion of the optical signal for redirection to the photodetector, while the majority of the optical path remains unaffected, allowing status detection with minimal impact on primary signal transmission
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective element acts as an intermediary to redirect a portion of the optical signal to the photodetector without requiring direct extraction or interruption of the main optical path, enabling non-intrusive monitoring
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 allows for real-time monitoring and reporting of optical fiber status, eliminating the 'cold house' problem by enabling customers to identify and address connectivity issues promptly, reducing installation delays and improving service provider workflows.
Implementation Method 1
The inside surface of the receptacle cover may include a reflective element for redirecting the optical signals received over the first optical fiber toward the photodetector. The reflective element may be a mirror.
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus includes a photodetector configured to detect optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments of a self-reporting optical connector device are presented herein. The self-reporting optical connector device may be configured to provide optical connectivity between optical fibers for supporting propagation of optical signals between the optical fibers. The self-reporting optical connector device may be deployed at a customer premises for supporting optical connectivity between an optical fiber originating in an optical communication network and terminating at the customer premises and an optical fiber deployed within the customer premises between the self-reporting optical connector device and an optical termination device at the customer premises. The self-reporting optical connector device may be configured to support self-reporting of an optical fiber status of the optical fiber originating in the optical communication network and terminating at the self-reporting optical connector device in the customer premises.