Patch panel cable information detection systems and methods

A communications system includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof that are each connected to a respective communication line, and one or more optical couplers/connector ports on a rear surface thereof for linking two or more patch panels together. A cable for linking patch panels includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective coupler/connector port on the rear surface. Each connector has an RFID tag attached thereto. An RF antenna is secured to each patch panel adjacent each respective coupler, and each antenna is configured to activate and read information from a cable RFID tag when a cable connector is secured within a coupler adjacent thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to communications systems and, more particularly, to communications patching systems.

BACKGROUND

Many businesses have dedicated communication systems that enable computers, telephones, facsimile machines and the like to communicate with each other through a private network, and with remote locations via a communications service provider. In most buildings, the dedicated communications system is hard wired using communication cables that contain conductive wire. In such hard wired systems, dedicated wires are coupled to individual service ports throughout the building. The wires from the dedicated service ports extend through the walls of the building to a communications closet or closets. The communications lines from the interface hub of a main frame computer and the communication lines from external communication service providers may also terminate within a communications closet.

A patching system is typically used to interconnect the various communication lines within a communications closet. In a communications patching system, all of the communication lines are terminated within a communications closet in an organized manner. The organized terminations of the various lines are provided via the structure of the communications closet. A mounting frame having one or more racks is typically located in a communications closet. The communications lines terminate on the racks, as is explained below.

Referring toFIG. 1, a typical prior art rack10is shown. The rack10retains a plurality of patch panels12that are mounted to the rack10. On each of the patch panels12are located port assemblies14. The illustrated port assemblies14each contain six optical communication connector ports (e.g., SC, ST and LC ports, etc.)16. Each of the different communication connector ports16is hard wired to one of the communication lines. Accordingly, each communication line is terminated on a patch panel12in an organized manner. In small patch systems, all communication lines may terminate on the patch panels of the same rack. In larger patch systems, multiple racks may be used, wherein different communication lines terminate on different racks.

InFIG. 1, interconnections between the various communication lines are made using patch cords20. Both ends of each patch cord20are terminated with connectors22. One end of a patch cord20is connected to a connector port16of a first communication line and the opposite end of the patch cord20is connected to a connector port16of a second communication line. By selectively connecting the various communication lines with patch cords20, any combination of communication lines can be interconnected.

In large enterprises, the number of patch panels utilized in a communications system can be quite large. In addition, many enterprises are currently investing in large internet data centers. As such, manageability of the equipment in a data center/communication closet is becoming increasingly important. One aspect of manageability that is being utilized in many data centers/communication closets is the use of structured cabling to interconnect equipment, particularly jumpers interconnecting patch panels and other equipment.

Conventionally, optical fiber cabling utilized as a jumper is assembled in the field. The cable is pulled from a reel, cut to length, and terminated with field-installed connectors at each end. The terminated ends are then inserted into respective adapters in equipment to be interconnected. However, the use of preterminated or preassembled cabling is increasingly being utilized to decrease installation time and cost, reduce system downtime and increase cabling reliability and performance. An additional advantage of preterminated cabling is that the skill level required for installation and interconnection of equipment in data centers/communication closets is lower than for installations utilizing field-assembled cabling. Unfortunately, the use of lower-skill installation/maintenance crews may increase the risk of improper interconnection of equipment in the field.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communications system includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof and one or more connector ports, such as optical couplers, etc., on a rear surface thereof for linking two or more patch panels together. A preterminated (i.e., preassembled, defined length) cable (RJ-type, optical, etc.) is utilized as a jumper to link two of the patch panels via their respective connector ports. The cable includes opposite ends with a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective optical coupler. In some embodiments, each connector of the cable has an RFID tag attached thereto. The RFID tags for each respective cable have the same unique identifier stored therein. According to embodiments of the present invention, no two cables for a respective communications system have the same identifier stored within their respective RFID tags. In some embodiments, each RFID tag includes transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable stored therewithin.

An RF antenna is secured to the rear surface of each patch panel adjacent each of the one or more connector ports. Each antenna is configured to activate and read information from an RFID tag when a cable connector is secured within a connector port adjacent thereto. A microprocessor is configured to selectively energize each antenna secured to a patch panel such that each antenna activates and reads information from a cable RFID tag adjacent thereto. The microprocessor may also log cable interconnections with the patch panels, for example in a database or other data storage. In some embodiments, a microprocessor is configured to receive transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information read from a cable RFID tag and is configured to adjust power consumption of a communication channel associated with the respective cable. In some embodiments, each antenna for a respective patch panel is attached to a printed circuit board that is secured to the rear surface of the patch panel.

In other embodiments of the present invention, a connector at each end of a preterminated cable may utilize other technologies for storing a unique identifier that can be read when the connector is inserted and removed from an optical coupler or other type of connector port utilized to link patch panels together. For example, an identification chip having a unique identifier (e.g., serial number, serial ID, etc.) and/or transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable stored therein may be secured to each connector of a preterminated cable. A reader associated with a coupler/connector port is configured to read the information stored on a chip. As another example, optical technology may be utilized to read the actual serial number or other identification number, as well as other information displayed on a cable. For example, a CCD camera or other optical device may be associated with a coupler/connector port or multiple couplers/connector ports and may be configured to read an identifier on a cable. A microprocessor is in communication with each camera and logs cable interconnections with the patch panels. In some embodiments, a microprocessor is configured to receive transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information read from a cable, and is configured to adjust power consumption of a communication channel associated with the respective cable.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communications system includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof and one or more connector ports on a rear surface thereof for linking two or more patch panels together. In some embodiments, the rear surface connector ports are optical couplers and the cable connectors are optical connectors. In other embodiments, the rear surface connector ports are RJ-type ports and the cable connectors are RJ-type connectors. A preterminated cable is utilized as a jumper to link two or more of the patch panels together via their respective rear surface connector ports. The cable includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective rear surface connector port.

Each end of the cable has an information chip attached thereto with cable identification information and/or other information, such as transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable, stored within the chip. A reader is associated with each respective rear surface connector port and is configured to read information from a cable information chip when a cable connector is inserted into and/or removed from a respective rear surface connector port. In some embodiments, the cable information chips at each end of a cable have the same unique identifier stored therein. A microprocessor in communication with each reader is configured to log cable interconnections with the patch panels. In some embodiments, a microprocessor is configured to receive transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information read from a cable information chip, and is configured to adjust power consumption of a communication channel associated with the respective cable.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communications system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports (e.g., optical connector ports, RJ-type connector ports, etc.) wherein each connector port connected to a respective communication line/channel. A cable (e.g., a patch cord or other type of cable) is configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports and includes opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end. Each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The cable has transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable stored therewithin, and the patch panel is configured to read the stored information from the cable when a cable connector is secured within a connector port. In some embodiments, the information is stored on a tag attached to the cable and the patch panel includes a reader configured to read the information stored on the tag. In some embodiments, the information is displayed on the cable and the patch panel includes an optical camera configured to read the displayed information. In some embodiments, the information is displayed on a label attached to the cable, and/or engraved into a connector of the cable, and the patch panel includes an optical camera configured to read the information.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communications system includes a plurality of patch panels. Each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof, wherein each connector port is connected to a respective communication line, and each patch panel includes a connector port on a rear surface thereof for linking the patch panel to another patch panel. A cable is configured to link two of the patch panels together via their respective rear surface connector ports. The cable includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective rear surface connector port. The cable has information stored therewithin that includes a cable identifier and transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable. Each patch panel is configured to read the stored information from the cable when a cable connector is secured within a connector port. In some embodiments, the information is stored on a tag attached to the cable and the patch panel includes a reader configured to read the information stored on the tag. In some embodiments, the information is displayed on the cable and the patch panel includes an optical camera configured to read the displayed information. In some embodiments, the information is displayed on a label attached to the cable, and/or engraved into a connector of the cable, and the patch panel includes an optical camera configured to read the information.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method of reducing or adjusting power consumption in a communications system includes reading information stored within a cable connected to a patch panel connector port, wherein the stored information includes transmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable, and adjusting power consumption of a communication channel associated with the respective cable, based on the read information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, certain layers, components or features may be exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise. In addition, the sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. In the drawings, the thickness of lines, layers, features, components and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity and broken lines illustrate optional features or operations, unless specified otherwise. Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can be associated with another embodiment of figure although not specifically described or shown as such.

It will be understood that when a feature, such as a layer, region or substrate, is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features so described or shown can apply to other embodiments.

It will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various components, regions, layers and/or sections, these components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second component, region, layer or section, and similarly, a second without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a communication patching system100, according to some embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. The illustrated patching system100includes a frame102configured to support equipment mounted thereto in spaced-apart relationship. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of communications patch panels120are mounted to the frame102in spaced-apart locations. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited, however, to the illustrated frame configuration. Frames of any configuration, shape and size may be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For example, frames that support equipment in horizontally spaced-apart relationship may also be utilized. Likewise, the patch panels120need not be spaced-apart from each other, but instead may be in direct contact with adjacent patch panels.

The illustrated patch panels120may be interconnected or linked via preterminated optical cabling (jumpers) inserted within optical couplers located on the rear of the patch panels120.FIG. 3illustrates two of the patch panels120fromFIG. 2having optical couplers130on a rear surface121thereof. A preterminated cable132is configured to link the two patch panels together when the respective ends132a,132bare inserted within respective optical couplers130. Each end132a,132bof the illustrated cable132has a Multi-fiber Push On (MPO) optical connector134. However, cables utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may have other types of optical connectors. Furthermore, various types of preterminated cables (e.g., copper cables, etc.) may be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to optical cables and connectors. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to optical cabling and optical couplers for linking patch panels. Various types of cables and connector ports may be utilized for linking patch panels in accordance with embodiments of the present invention without limitation. In addition, embodiments of the present invention may be utilized with patch cords utilized to interconnect connector ports on the front of patch panels with other connector ports and/or devices, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

An RF (Radio Frequency) antenna140is secured to each patch panel120adjacent each respective coupler130. Each antenna140is configured to activate and read information from an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag that is positioned adjacent thereto. The RF antennas140may be secured to the patch panels120in various ways (e.g., adhesively attached, attached via fasteners, embedded, etc.), as would be known to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the RF antennas140are attached to a printed circuit board (PCB)150which is secured to each respective patch panel rear surface121. The RF antennas140may be attached to a surface of the PCB150, may be disposed within the PCB150, or may have one or more portions disposed within the PCB150and one or more portions on a surface of the PCB150, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

The illustrated preterminated cable132inFIG. 3includes a respective RFID tag160attached to the connector134at each respective end132a,132b. In the illustrated embodiment, when a cable connector134is attached to a coupler130on the rear of a patch panel120, the RFID tag160attached to the connector134is positioned in close proximity to the RF antenna140associated with the coupler130.

An RFID tag160may be attached in various ways (e.g., adhesively attached, etc.) to a respective connector134, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Alternatively, an RFID tag160may be embedded within the material of a connector134, as long as the RFID tag160can be positioned in close proximity to and read by an RF antenna140on the PCB150.

Moreover, RFID tags160may be attached to the cable connectors134in various orientations. It is desirable that the electromagnetic field lines of an RF antenna140penetrate as much of the area of an RFID tag160as possible. Accordingly, positioning an RFID tag160such that the RFID tag160can be close to an RF antenna140associated with a patch panel coupler130is desirable.

Each RFID tag160includes an antenna162and a microchip (not shown) which is configured to store various information (e.g., numbers, alphanumeric characters, etc.). According to embodiments of the present invention, each RFID tag160attached to a respective cable132stores a unique identifier (e.g., number, alphanumeric string, etc.), and may store other information, as well (e.g., cable model number and/or other cable information, such as transmission, electrical, optical property information, etc.). In other words, the two RFID tags160for a respective cable132contain the same identifier. However, this identifier will be different from the identifiers assigned to other cables132.

As would be understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention, each RFID tag160draws power from an RF field created by an RE antenna140when the RF antenna140is activated. The RFID tag160uses this power to power the circuits of its microchip to thereby transfer information stored therein.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, RFID tags160can be factory installed on cables132. Alternatively, RFID tags160can be retrofitted on cables132in the field. When RFID tags160are factory installed, they can be programmed with information that indicates manufacturing date, operator's ID, factory code, serial numbers, transmission, electrical, optical property information, etc. If an RFID tag has read/write capabilities, then additional information could be added to the RFID tag in the field. For example, performance test data could be added to factory pre-programmed information.

RFID tags160that resonate at any frequency may be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. RF antennas and their use in detecting RFID tags and interrogating RFID tags for information are well understood by those of skill in the art and need not be discussed further herein.

As illustrated inFIG. 3each PCB150attached to the rear of a respective patch panel120is in communication with a microprocessor170(e.g., directly connected, wirelessly connected, etc.). The microprocessor170may be virtually any type of processor, such as an 8-bit processor, and may retain a history of events within memory. The microprocessor may be associated with a rack controller (125,FIG. 2) or other device/software that controls the various functions/operations of the plurality of patch panels120in the communications system100. Rack controllers are well understood by those skilled in the art of patch panels and need not be described further herein. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the microprocessor170is configured to selectively energize each antenna140on the rear of a patch panel120such that each antenna140activates and reads information from an RFID tag160attached to a cable connector134, if present.

According to some embodiments, the microprocessor170is connected to RFID transceiver circuitry (not shown) in each PCB150, which is in turn connected to all of the antennas140on the PCB150by way of a multiplexing device. The multiplexing device, under control of the microprocessor170, connects the transceiver circuitry to one and only one antenna140at any given time. To activate an antenna140so as to read tag data from an RFID tag160located in proximity to that antenna140, the following sequence is executed by the microprocessor170. The microprocessor170configures the multiplexer to establish a connection between the RFID transceiver circuitry on a PCB150and the specific RFID antenna140on the PCB150that is to be activated. The microprocessor170issues a command to activate the RFID transceiver circuitry, which in turn energizes the selected antenna140. The RFID transceiver circuitry then monitors the antenna140to see if a signal from an RFID tag is detected. If such a signal is detected, the RFID transceiver circuitry demodulates the RFID tag's signal and converts it into a digital bitstream, which is sent to the microprocessor170. The microprocessor170monitors the digital data from the RFID transceiver circuitry until it has received all of the data from an RFID tag160in question. The microprocessor170sends a command to the RFID transceiver circuitry to shut down, which de-energizes the selected antenna140.

At regular intervals, the microprocessor170may send instructions to the RFID transceiver circuitry on a PCB150of a patch panel120, requesting that it energize each RF antenna140associated with a respective coupler130to see if an RFID tag160is detected. If an RFID tag160is detected, the unique identifier from the RFID tag160can be recorded along with an identification of the coupler130. This information can be recorded, for example, in a database (or other data storage)180associated with the microprocessor170. The RF antennas140on each PCB150may be sequentially activated or some other pattern of activation may be utilized.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, this recorded information may be forwarded to patch panel management software. The patch panel management software will eventually receive two messages containing the same identifier, and will know that the specified couplers130on two respective patch panels120sending the message are in fact cabled together. A cabling connectivity database could then be updated, without need for user intervention.

In a similar manner, if the connector134at one or both ends132a,132bof a cable132were to be removed from a respective coupler130, regular polling of the RF antennas140by the microprocessor170, as described above, will detect that an RFID tag160was no longer present, and will report the change back to the patch panel management software, which will update a cabling connectivity database accordingly.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the use of RFID technology. Other technologies may be utilized as well. For example, an identification chip or tag having a unique identifier (e.g., serial number, serial ID, etc.) and other information stored therein may be secured to each connector of a preterminated cable. The tag can be, for example, an integrated circuit that is designed to store information and communicate the stored information to a microprocessor (e.g., microprocessor170,FIG. 3) or another microprocessor having firmware that performs a storage and communication function. The tag includes contact that are connected to a patch panel's circuitry via these contacts when a connector is inserted into a connector port/coupler, and that are used by the patch panel to poll the tag for information. The patch panel circuitry associated with a coupler/connector port is configured to read the unique identifier stored on the tag.

As another example, optical technology may be utilized to read a serial number or other identification number displayed on a cable. For example, a CCD camera or other optical device may be associated with a coupler/connector port or multiple couplers/connector ports and may be configured to read information on a cable, such as an identifier, transmission, electrical, optical property information, etc.

This optical technology may utilize a software algorithm to poll for information displayed on a cable. A label is printed that contains unique information, such as a serial number. This label could be applied to the connector in various ways. For example, the label could be engraved into the connector using micro-engraving techniques. The label could be printed using a 2D barcode. The label could be printed in color using a color palette to encode the data.

A camera (e.g., a CCD, etc.) is attached to a patch panel, or otherwise located adjacent to a patch panel, and is used to detect the presence of a cable, as well as for retrieving information from the cable. The detection can be accomplished, for example, by detecting a light source or reflection that is changed when a cable is connected to the patch panel. The information on the label or engraving is read by the camera and decoded by a microprocessor, for example.

FIG. 4illustrates patch panels120having a camera300positioned adjacent each coupler130. Each camera300is configured to detect insertion of a cable connector134into a respective coupler130. Each camera300is also configured to capture an image of information304displayed via label/engraving302on a connector134. Each camera300is in communication with a microprocessor170that is configured to decode information304from an image captured by the camera300and to store the decoded information into data storage (e.g., database180). Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to a single camera at each coupler. In some embodiments, a single camera may be used for multiple couplers.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, each of the above-described technologies may be utilized to read other types of information stored in patching system cables. For example, in data centers, there is a current initiative to reduce power consumption. As such, cables (including patch cords) utilized in patching systems can store various information (e.g., transmission, electrical, optical information) for the cable as well as devices to which the cable is to be connected. For example, this information can be stored in the cables at the factory. The various information can be read by patch panels and passed along to the management system for the patching system. The management system for a communications system can analyze a channel (i.e., communication line or link) and configure a switch and/or server to adjust the power used in the communication channel based on information read from one or more cables. This would allow each communication channel to reduce the power needed for transmission to the proper level for this particular channel instead of driving the channel so it works on all combinations of length and transmission variables to meet a standard. By allowing for variable control of power consumption by channel, according to embodiments of the present invention, considerable savings in energy costs may be obtained for communications systems.