Subscriber-Powered Fiber Optic Network Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical powering strategies for fiber optic communication networks, particularly in wide area networks, face challenges such as high maintenance costs, vulnerability to electrical surges, and inefficiencies in powering optical network units (ONUs) and optical network terminals (ONTs) due to the need for separate power networks and reliance on commercial power sources, which are not cost-effective or scalable.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines electrical power and data communications over the same medium, using subscriber mains power to power network elements like ONUs and ONTs through twisted wire pairs or coaxial cables, eliminating the need for separate power networks and allowing for self-installation and reduced labor costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power networks and commercial power sources are used to power optical network units, then the network elements can be powered reliably, but the maintenance costs increase and scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power transmission and data communication into a single medium (the fiber optic cable). The power is transmitted through the same fiber infrastructure that carries data, eliminating the need for separate power networks and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable power delivery to remote network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic cable serves dual functions: transmitting both data and electrical power. This multi-functional approach allows the network infrastructure to provide power delivery alongside communication services, reducing the need for additional dedicated power infrastructure and improving scalability.
2Ease of operation
If additional meter installations are required for powering network elements, then power can be delivered to remote locations, but installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power delivery and data communication into a single fiber optic infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate meter installations. The power is delivered through the existing fiber cable that is already installed for data transmission, significantly reducing installation time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power transmission function from traditional separate power infrastructure and integrates it into the fiber optic communication medium. This eliminates the need for additional meters, power lines, and associated installation procedures.
3Productivity
If fiber optic cable is brought within short distance of subscriber location, then bandwidth rates increase, but the burden of maintaining multiple optical to copper drop sites increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for optical-to-copper conversion drop sites by delivering power directly through the fiber optic cable to the subscriber location. This eliminates multiple intermediary conversion points and simplifies the network architecture while maintaining high bandwidth capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic cable performs multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting high-speed data and delivering electrical power to the subscriber location. This dual functionality eliminates the need for separate power delivery infrastructure and reduces the number of required network elements.
4Power
If commercial power sources are used to power network elements, then power can be supplied to drop sites, but vulnerability to electrical surges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic cable acts as an intermediary medium that transmits electrical power from the central office to the subscriber location without requiring direct connection to commercial power grids at remote sites. This intermediary approach isolates the network elements from external electrical surge hazards while maintaining power delivery capability.
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 approach reduces installation time and costs, eliminates the requirement for additional meter installations, and provides a cost-effective and maintainable method for powering fiber optic network elements, enhancing scalability and reliability while minimizing electrical surge vulnerabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method combine an electrical power signal or electricity, which may be derived from subscriber mains power, with electrical data communications as a combined electrical WAN signal over the same communication medium
Data Source
AI summary
A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.