Channel equalization enclosure

A channel equalization enclosure equalizes the length of cable variance with customers' equipment in a data center. The channel equalization modules serve as a connection point between cable from a financial institution and patch cords connected to customer equipment. The channel equalization enclosure includes a housing and a plurality of channel equalization modules mounted in the housing. Each channel equalization module has a spool of bulk fiber for accommodating a specified fiber length to equalize a communication channel in the data center.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fiber optic enclosure, and more particularly to channel equalization modules installed in a fiber optic enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The length of fiber optic cabling can vary between a customers' equipment and the financial institution or stock exchange the equipment is connected to. Financial institutions and stock exchanges are attempting to equalize the cable distance of all the fiber channels within their data center. The financial institutions and stock exchanges need to assure their customers that all data transactions will require the same amount of time to complete. If the financial institutions and stock exchanges fail to equalize the cable variation, some customers would have an advantage over others.

Thus, it is desirable to equalize the length of cable variance with each customers' equipment and the financial institution or the stock exchange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A channel equalization enclosure designed to equalize the length of cable variance with customers' equipment in a data center. The channel equalization enclosure includes a housing and a plurality of channel equalization modules mounted in the housing. Each channel equalization module has a spool of bulk fiber to accommodating a specified fiber length to equalize the communication channels between customers' equipment and a financial institution in the data center.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of a channel equalization enclosure10of the present invention.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of the channel equalization enclosure10with the top removed. The channel equalization enclosure10is a sheet metal housing20designed to house four channel equalization modules30. The housing20includes a removable top22(seeFIG. 1) and a front flange24.

FIG. 3illustrates one of the channel equalization modules30. The channel equalization module30includes a top32, a bottom34, sides36,38, a front40, and a back60. InFIG. 3, part of the top32and part of a side36of the channel equalization module30are removed so the inside of the module30is visible. The channel equalization module30includes a spool of slack bulk fiber50to accommodate a specific fiber length needed to equalize the communication channel.

For example, if the longest fiber channel in a financial institutions' data center is 230 meters and another fiber channel is 200 meters, the channel equalization module will have an additional 30 meters of slack bulk fiber50to make up the difference of the shorter fiber channel.

Once the equalization fiber length is determined, the specific channel equalization module is selected and installed. Each channel equalization module30is designed to accommodate specific lengths of fiber cabling. The channel equalization module30includes tamper resistance labels70to ensure the channel equalization modules30are not opened and altered.

The slack bulk fiber50will be terminated with a multifiber connector54on one end. The multifiber connector54would be installed into an adapter62in the back60of the module30. The incoming cable from the financial institution is plugged into adapter62. The opposite end of the slack bulk fiber50will be terminated with a plurality of single fiber connectors56installed in adapters42in the front40of the module30.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, a guard64is installed over the multifiber connector adapter62in the back60of the channel equalization module30. The guard64is secured to the module30with a tamper resistant screw66. The guard64covers the release of the multifiber connector adapter62, making removal of the multi fiber connector adapter62very difficult. Thus, the guard64prevents users from switching channel equalization modules30to alter the equalized channels in the data center.

Referring toFIG. 5, the front flange24has mounting holes26(seeFIG. 2), which allow the channel equalization enclosure to be mounted to standard 19″ equipment rails72of a data center cabinet or rack using screws73. The housing20includes knock out holes25(seeFIG. 2), one or more of which are to be removed to serve as entrance for incoming cable80from the financial institution, into the housing20. The incoming cable80from the financial institution is plugged into an adapter62(seeFIG. 3) in the back of the module30. The patch cords71, connected to customers' equipment, are plugged into the single fiber adapters42of modules30.

The channel equalization module30will serve as a connection point between the cable from the financial institution or the stock exchange and the patch cords connected to customers' equipment.

Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.