Single Transceiver Remote Node for 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 complex and costly remote nodes with separate transceiver units for East/West interfaces, making them expensive to implement and maintain, especially for linear bus geometries.
Innovation Solution
A remote node architecture utilizing a single transceiver unit with a 2x2 port optical coupling means, where optical signals are transmitted and received in both directions through eastern and western ports, and a controller device manages signal regeneration and suppression to prevent endless loops, allowing for a simpler and more cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate transceiver units are used for East/West interfaces in remote nodes, then bidirectional communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the East and West interface transceiver functions into a single transceiver unit that can operate in both directions. The optical coupling network routes signals to the appropriate interface, eliminating the need for separate transceiver units at each interface while maintaining full bidirectional communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single transceiver unit is designed to perform multiple functions by receiving optical signals from either the East or West interface and regenerating them for transmission in the opposite direction. This universal transceiver unit replaces what would traditionally require two dedicated transceiver units.
2Reliability
If separate transceiver units are used for East/West interfaces, then communication reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the transceiver functions into a single unit, the patent reduces component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability through the optical coupling network that ensures proper signal routing and regeneration in both directions.
3Device complexity
If a linear bus geometry is used, then network simplicity is improved, but transmission capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical coupling network enables continuous signal transmission in both directions along the linear bus. By regenerating and retransmitting signals at each node in both East and West directions, the system maintains continuous useful action without the need for complex switching or blocking mechanisms.
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 enables the creation of a low-cost, high availability fiber-optic network with reduced transmission capacity, suitable for low bit-rate applications, while maintaining acceptable latency and avoiding costly active optical components.
Implementation Method 1
an optical connection network (15) having an eastern and western optical connection port (9, 11) defining the eastern and western port of the remote node architecture (5)
Implementation Method 2
a receiver unit (19) adapted to receive an optical signal at the respective optical input port
Implementation Method 3
a transmitter unit (21) adapted to receive a respective electrical signal from the controller device (27) and to convert (and, as the case may be, electrically and/or optically process) this signal into a corresponding optical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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 architecture (1) comprising a central node (3, 7) and a plurality of remote nodes (5) serially connected to each other or to the central node (3,7), respectively, the central node (3, 7) and the remote nodes (5) being capable of communicating by means of digital optical signals created by the central node (3, 7) or a respective remote node (5), each digital optical signal comprising a data frame. The remote node (5) comprises an optical connection network (15, 150), a single transceiver device (17) comprising an optical receiver unit (19) and an optical transmitter unit (21, 210), and an electronic controller device (27) for controlling the transceiver device (17). The optical connection network (15, 150) defines a western optical connection port (11), an eastern optical connection port (9), an internal optical receiving port (23) being connected to the optical receiver unit (19) and an internal optical transmitting port (25) being connected to the optical transmitter unit (21, 210). The controller device (27), the transceiver device (17) and the optical connection network (15, 150) are designed such that for transmitting information from the remote node (5) to the central node (3, 7) or a further selected remote node (5), the controller device (27) creates at least one data frame including content data supplied to the controller device (27) and address data for addressing the central node (3, 7) and controls the optical transmitter unit (21, 210) such that a digital optical transmit signal according to the at least one data frame is created, the digital optical transmit signal being simultaneously supplied to the eastern and western optical connection ports (9, 11). For receiving information from the central node (3, 7) or a further selected remote node (5), the receiver unit (19) receives a digital optical transmit signal created by the central node (3, 7) or the selected further remote node (5) or a digital optical echo signal created by another remote node (5), which is supplied to the western or eastern optical connection port (11, 9) and which comprises at least one data frame including content data and address data for addressing the remote node (5), with at least a given power portion at the internal optical receiving port (23), and the controller device (27) processes the respective at least one data frame. For regenerating a digital optical transmit or regenerated signal received, the receiver unit (19) receives a digital optical transmit signal created by the central node (3, 7) or a remote node (5) or a digital optical regenerated signal created by another remote node (5), which is supplied to the western or eastern optical connection port (11, 9) and which comprises at least one data frame including content data and address data not addressing the remote node (5), with at least a given power portion at the internal optical receiving port (23), and the controller device (27) creates a regenerated data frame including the same content and address data as the received data frame and controls the optical transmitter unit (21, 210) such that a digital optical regenerated signal according to the regenerated data frame is created, the digital optical regenerated signal being simultaneously output to both optical connection ports (11, 9).