Scalable and modular automated fiber optic cross-connect systems

{
  "publication_number": "US9411108B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Scalable and modular automated fiber optic cross-connect systems",
  "abstract": "This invention discloses patch-panel systems for organized configuration management of large numbers of fiber optic interconnection strands, wherein each strand transmits high bandwidth signals between devices. In particular, a system for the programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fiber strands is provided, whereby strands connecting a two-dimensional array of connectors are mapped in an ordered and rule based fashion into a one-dimensional array with substantially straight lines strands there between. The braid of fiber optic strands is partitioned into multiple independent, non-interfering zones or subbraids. The separation into subbraids provides spatial clearance for one or more robotic grippers to enter the free volume substantially adjacent to the two-dimensional array of connectors and to mechanically reconfigure one or more optical fiber strands without interrupting or entangling other fiber optic strands.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A patch panel system of spatially reconfigurable, cross-connected strands for carrying a multiplicity of individual signals across an intervening gap between first and second planes with the strands defining a geometric braid within the gap, while the strands are individually held linear within the gap by tensioning means adjacent thereto, the geometric braid having a number of physically separate subbraids extending from a common extended, linear origin in a first plane and separating out at diverging angles to a second plane comprised of a multiplicity of columns of parallel, spaced apart terminals, comprising: a multiplicity of individual strands within each subbraid, said strands being disposed in an ordered hierarchical relation and topologically equivalent to an ordered stack of separable layers, each strand residing within a layer of the stack and ordered such that all layers of the stack to one side of the individual layer are characterized by a higher relation, and all layers on the opposite side are characterized by a lower relation, whereby any individual strand of a first subbraid may pass through a second subbraid in a knot-free fashion by subdividing the second subbraid such that the individual strand passes through the stack of layers at a location separating those layers in lower relation and those layers in higher relation.",
    "2. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 1, wherein each strand corresponds to an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber.",
    "3. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 2, wherein each optical fiber is single mode and/or multimode bend insensitive fiber exhibiting less than 0.25 dB loss for a 360 degree bend of 10 mm diameter.",
    "4. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of strands is less than or equal to 0.5 mm and typically 0.25 mm.",
    "5. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 4, wherein strands in the first plane have a center-to-center spacing of 1.5 mm or less.",
    "6. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 2, wherein each strand is terminated in the vicinity of the second plane with a polished fiber optic connector such as the standard LC, SC, MU or MPO connector.",
    "7. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 1, wherein each strand corresponds to a radio frequency waveguide such as a coaxial cable.",
    "8. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 1, wherein there are 10 to 48 subbraids per braid, and up to 100 strands per subbraid.",
    "9. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 1, wherein the strands comprising each subbraid do not physically contact nor entangle other strands in adjacent braids.",
    "10. A system of cross-connected strands in accordance with claim 1, wherein the diverging angles are less than 180 degrees."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to optical systems using fiber optic cables to transmit illumination and/or signals, and more particularly, to high port count, scalable, modular and automated optical cross-connect devices enabling reconfigurable and programmable connections between fiber optic cables.\n\nFiber optic patch-panels are used to terminate large numbers of optical fibers in an array of connectors mounted on modular plates, thereby providing a location to manually interconnect patch cords for their routing to adjacent circuits. Splice trays within the panel retain slack fiber and the splices joining connector pigtails to the individual fiber elements originating from one or more cables. Typical patch-panel systems interconnect 100 to 10,000 fibers. Connection to various types of transmission equipment, such as transceivers, amplifiers, switches and to outside plant cables destined for other exchanges, local offices, central offices, optical line terminations and points-of-presence are configured manually at the patch-panel.\n\nAs the reach of fiber optic systems extends to FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home), access and enterprise networks, the locations of patch-panels are becoming geographically more dispersed and the sheer numbers of ports are increasing dramatically. Consequently, the tasks of allocating, reconfiguring and testing a fiber circuit within the network becomes increasingly challenging because of the potential for errors or damage resulting from manual intervention.",
  "cpc": [
    "G02B 6/356",
    "G02B 6/3502",
    "G02B 6/3556",
    "G02B 6/3564",
    "G02B 6/3897",
    "G02B 6/4452",
    "G02B 6/44524",
    "G02B 6/44528",
    "H04Q 1/145",
    "H04Q 11/0005",
    "H04Q 2011/0058"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G02B 6/35",
    "G02B 6/38",
    "G02B 6/44",
    "H04Q 11/00",
    "G02B 6/00",
    "H04Q 1/14"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Telescent Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Anthony Stephen Kewitsch"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-07-04",
  "publication_date": "2016-08-09",
  "grant_date": "2016-08-09",
  "priority_date": "2007-10-15",
  "application_number": "US-201414324120-A",
  "family_id": "40534290",
  "cited_by_count": 16,
  "citations": [
    "US5613021A"
  ]
}