Fiber to the home network incorporating fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly

A fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is described that includes a first upstream connector interface configured to receive a downstream connector of a first upstream optic fiber line, and a first downstream connector interface configured to receive an upstream connector of a first downstream optic fiber line. The tap assembly further includes a set of service drop line connector interfaces. Moreover, an optic fiber tap of the assembly is configured to: receive an optical signal from the upstream connector interface, extract a portion of the optical signal, direct the extracted portion of the optical signal to the set of service drop line connector interfaces, and pass a remaining portion of the optical signal to the downstream connector interface. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is configured to be connected to the first upstream optic fiber line and the first downstream optic fiber line without splicing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of fiber to the home (FTTH) networks including a series of optic fiber tap assemblies connected by a series of optic fiber drops. More particularly, the invention is directed to a new FTTH network featuring lower cost installation and repair costs through the use of connectors between fiber drops and optic fiber tap assemblies in FTTH neighborhood area networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years user demand for higher data transmission rates have led to the adoption of optic fiber technology for residential customers of Internet service providers (ISPs)/data network communications carriers. The day has passed where download rates of less than a megabit are considered satisfactory for most residential customers. Instead, the need to carry one or more streams of high definition video has led to wide demand for multiple download data rates of 10 megabits or more.

Such demand cannot be met without substantial cost. The discussion herein focuses upon the costs associated with the physical optic fiber distribution infrastructure comprising a set of serially connected optic fiber tap assemblies carrying high speed data from ISPs to residential customers. Optic fiber distribution networks, while capable of carrying substantially higher volumes of data in comparison to copper wire technologies, are also substantially more expensive to build and repair.

One of the most vital aspects of providing high speed data communications connectivity is maintaining nearly continuous service. In the case of a rare service disruption, normal operation must be quickly restored. However, the cost for added assurance against consumer dissatisfaction arising from lengthy data network communications service outages is extremely high.

One of the most important events to avoid is cutting an optic fiber distribution line providing high speed data network connectivity to a substantial number of customers. To avoid instances of cutting optic fiber, during an initial build-out of an optic fiber sub-network, a series of bores, channels, and/or trenches are formed. Thereafter, optic fiber is fed/laid, either with or without protective conduit, at a sufficient depth to ensure against damage to the optic fiber during subsequent activities of others—e.g., trenching operations associated with laying utility lines. For this reason, optic fiber distribution lines are buried several feet below grade. Moreover, where a risk of cutting the fiber is high, the optic fiber is placed within the buried conduit. The relatively deep placement of fiber distribution lines, from which one or more residential drop fibers branch at a final stage of an optic fiber, provides a higher level of confidence that the distribution fiber will not be damaged by digging, excavating or other activities within the vicinity of the distribution lines.

On the other hand, relatively inexpensive short-depth plowing, to a depth of about a foot, and then laying optic fiber in the resulting valley, enables relatively low-cost initial laying of an optic fiber distribution line in comparison to horizontal bore drilling and deep trenching approaches for laying optic fiber distribution lines. However, such initial cost savings are offset by a substantially heightened risk of costly subsequent damage to the optic fiber over the lifetime of the distribution sub-network.

In that regard, repairing a cut optic fiber line typically involves a complex fiber splicing operation. During the splicing operation, the two ends of adjoined optic fibers are heat-fused in a portable clean room environment. The cost of splicing a single broken optic fiber is thousands of dollars. Moreover, the repair process requires use of specialized tools in the hands of an expert. In that case, it may take days for such repair. In the mean time, a data network service provider must deal with irate customers without high speed data communication services for several hours—if not days—while waiting for completion of repairs to a cut optic fiber.

Ensuring the long-term satisfaction of residential customers is a multifaceted endeavor. First, the high speed data service connectivity must be reliable. Second, in the case of connectivity interruptions, service must be quickly restored. Third, the high speed data communications network connectivity must be provided at a reasonable cost. The last of which, in many cases, is only possible if the initial build-out costs are not excessive.

Another aspect of optic fiber distribution sub-network designs is the forming of leaves corresponding to individual residential network interface units. One type of signal distribution element is a splitter that provides a 1 to N distribution at a splitter point (either at a hub or a downstream local distribution point). Alternatively, a series of optic fiber tap assemblies, joined by optic fiber, take a specified portion of input signal power, which is less than half (e.g. 10 to 50 percent) of an input optical power. The remaining optical power is passed along to the next tap assembly on the series of optic fiber tap assemblies of a single optic fiber distribution line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are used to provide a connectorized optic fiber tap assembly structure and a optic fiber distribution sub-network incorporating the connectorized optic fiber tap assembly structures that include optic fiber connector interfaces for joining fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies and connectorized optic fiber drop lines in the optic fiber distribution sub-network.

In particular, a fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is described that includes a first upstream connector interface configured to receive a downstream connector of a first upstream optic fiber line, and a first downstream connector interface configured to receive an upstream connector of a first downstream optic fiber line. The tap assembly further includes a set of service drop line connector interfaces. Moreover, an optic fiber tap of the assembly is configured to: receive an optical signal from the upstream connector interface, extract a portion of the optical signal, direct the extracted portion of the optical signal to the set of service drop line connector interfaces, and pass a remaining portion of the optical signal to the downstream connector interface. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly is configured to be connected to the first upstream optic fiber line and the first downstream optic fiber line without splicing.

A fiber optic distribution sub-network is also described that includes one or more of the above-described fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies to facilitate expedited installation and repair of optic fiber distribution lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before describing the provided figures, in general the described physical optic fiber distribution infrastructure comprises a set of serially connected optic fiber tap assemblies carrying high speed data from ISPs to residential customers that incorporate particular noteworthy features. First, the series-connected optic fiber tap assemblies comprise fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies. Each fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly comprises both: (1) upstream and downstream optic fiber connector interfaces to which corresponding connectorized optic fiber connectors are connected to form a distribution line comprising multiple serially connected optic fiber taps in an optic fiber sub-network, and (2) service drop optic fiber connector interfaces that provide the tapped optical signal to, for example, a residence. The upstream/downstream connector interfaces of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly eliminate time consuming field splicing operations during build-out and repair on optic fiber distribution sub-networks. The service drop line connector interface of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly remains unchanged. The connectorized interface on an optic fiber tap assembly structure, providing a plug (as opposed to splice) interface to upstream and downstream optic fiber distribution lines, contrasts with known optic fiber tap assemblies having distribution line interfaces that require spliced (fused) connections between upstream/downstream optic fiber distribution lines and the optic fiber tap assembly structure. Connectorization of the optic fiber tap assembly distribution line interfaces facilitates relatively low cost repair of a damaged optic fiber distribution line connecting two serially connected optic fiber tap assemblies when compared to optic fiber tap assemblies having a splice-based interface to distribution lines.

Second, the relatively easy replacement of damaged optic fiber distribution lines arising from the above-described connectorization—as opposed to splicing—of optic fiber tap assemblies, in turn, reduces costs associated with damage to individual optic fiber distribution lines. Such costs include: (1) new optic fiber line, (2) repair service fees, and (3) lost good-will arising customer service disruption. However, the combination of shallow depth and connectors (as opposed to line splices) significantly reduce each of the three costs associated with damage to an optic fiber distribution line causing a disruption of data communications services for customers downstream from the damage.

The significant reduction in repair costs leads to viability of laying optic fiber distribution lines at a depth of about a foot using the substantially less expensive plowing method—as opposed to relatively deep trenching at multiple (e.g. three or more) feet. Moreover, the primary data communication lines, which connect sub-networks (e.g. block area sub-networks), are protected. However, the optic fiber distribution lines within a block (sub-network) are not protected (e.g., no conduit is used within the sub-network). The heightened risk/cost of potentially having to replace a damaged optic fiber distribution line is far outweighed by the substantial cost savings associated with the initial build-out and subsequent repair (if needed) of the optic fiber distribution line comprising a series of optic fiber tap assemblies connected by optic fiber distribution lines buried at a relatively shallow depth in comparison to a typical trench depth of multiple feet.

Additional changes to the optic fiber distribution network topology include simplified interfaces between a local optic fiber distribution sub-network, having the serially arranged set of connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies, and primary data communication lines (coaxial cable or optic fiber) supplying the local sub-networks. Rather than running multiple optic fiber lines within the local sub-networks corresponding to a particular residential block, a single optic fiber distribution line, including multiple serially connected optic fiber tap assemblies (each supporting multiple residential drop fiber lines), provides optic fiber communications connectivity for residences on the block. The local sub-network distribution line is laid in the vicinity of adjoining back yard rear lot lines of opposing lots on a same residential block.

Turning toFIG. 1, an exemplary residential optic fiber distribution sub-network incorporates the above-discussed serially arranged connectorized optic fiber tap assembly structures. An optical line terminal (OLT)102provides an interface to a primary (high capacity) communication network link serving multiple optic fiber distribution sub-networks such as the one depicted inFIG. 1. By way of example, the OLT102performs an electrical/optical signal conversion to render a suitable signal on the local sub-network for transmission to one of the multiple connected network interface units (NIUs)104. The OLT102further performs optical/electrical signal conversion on data transmissions originating from network interface units of individual residences. In accordance with a known GPON protocol, an output port at GPON hardware, providing a primary physical data communications link to which the optic fiber sub-networks connect, corresponds to the OLT102.

The OLT102output designated/designed to provide a particular output power that affects a quantity of fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies that may be serially connected by connectorized optic fiber distribution lines in accordance with illustrative examples of optic fiber sub-networks incorporating connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies. Currently, two optical power levels (“B” and “C”) are supported. The B level optical power level has a loss budget of 28 db and the C level optical power level has a loss budget of 32 db. Thus, the C level output configuration generally supports greater optical signal power loss—whether through optical power tapping (redirecting the light energy to residential network interface units104) or connector losses experienced at the connector interfaces of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies and the connectorized optic fiber distribution lines connecting the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies.

The following are exemplary cases of maximum fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly chains supported by the OLT102where series-connected optical taps provide optical signals to specified quantities of optic fiber drop line-connected NIUs104:

B optics—up to 7 series-connected 8 drop line optic fiber tap assemblies.—up to 12 series-connected 4 drop line optic fiber tap assemblies.—up to 16 series-connected 2 drop line optic fiber tap assemblies.

C optics—up to 10 series-connected 8 drop line optic fiber tap assemblies.—up to 16 series-connected 4 drop line optic fiber tap assemblies.—up to 20 series-connected 2 drop line optic fiber tap assemblies.

In the exemplary embodiment, a single optic fiber108connects the OLT102to a fiber patch panel106of known design. The fiber patch panel106in certain installations provides an above ground enclosure housing one or more connection points between an originating optical signal interface of the OLT102, carried by the single optic fiber108, and a single optic fiber109corresponding to the first link of a optic fiber distribution sub-network comprising a series of linked connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies. In the illustrative example, the single optic fiber109comprises a connector109athat mates with a complementary connector interface provided by an upstream connector110aof a connectorized optic fiber tap110.

The fiber patch panel106, in practice, may comprise multiple lines, such as the single optic fiber line108, connected to an OLT such as the OLT102. The fiber patch panel106, in practice, may further comprise multiple single optic fiber lines coupled to a corresponding sub-network, such as the single optic fiber109, connected the sub-network ofFIG. 1comprising the connectorized optic fiber tap110.

The illustrative example inFIG. 1depicts an optic fiber distribution sub-network including a set of serially connected fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110,111,112,113,114,115,116. The connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116are passive devices—i.e. they have no source of power other than the optical energy carried by the input signal. As such, the output signal power of each tap is decreased as a result of: (1) optical signal power tapped for transmission to optically coupled ones of the NIUs104, and (2) optical signal losses arising from connection interfaces. Thus, the number of total serially chained optic fiber tap connections is limited by optical signal losses at each one of the optic fiber tap assemblies110-115.

The connector interfaces of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116include factory-installed, low signal power loss, connector interfaces that facilitate joining connectorized optic fiber distribution lines that couple neighboring ones of the serially connected optic fiber tap assemblies110-116. In that regard, each fully connectorized optic fiber tap (e.g., optic fiber tap110) includes an upstream optic fiber connector (e.g. upstream optic fiber connector110afor optic fiber tap110) and a downstream optic fiber connector (e.g. downstream optic fiber connector110bfor optic fiber tap110). Thus, connectorized optic fiber tap111includes upstream optic fiber connector111aand downstream optic fiber connector111b. Each of the remaining connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies112,113,114,115and116also include the aforementioned upstream and downstream optic fiber connectors.

Moreover, connector interfaces of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116have a wavelength window of 1260 nm to 1620 nm. As a consequence, the connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies may be to be used with any one of a variety of FTTH protocols including, but not limited to: BPON, GPON, EPON, NGPON2, and RFOG.

The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116can be used by any over-the-land data communications services providers that provide data connectivity via FTTH sub-networks. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116are passive devices, and thus no external power or batteries are generally needed. The connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116can be mounted in a buried plant pedestal/enclosure or mounted to a pole or stand in an aerial plant application. The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116are temperature hardened to withstand placement outdoors with no environmental conditioning.

In accordance with an aspect of exemplary configurations of the optic fiber tap assemblies110-116, a variable percentage of total input power is “tapped” by individual ones of the serially connected optic fiber tap assemblies110-116. By way of example, since the available input optical power decreases at each optic fiber tap output, as a general rule the percentage of total input optical power tapped is lowest at the first fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly (e.g. optic fiber tap assembly110) and the tapped percentage of input power increases at subsequently encountered ones of the remaining fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies112,113,114,115. The last fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly116in the chain of optic fiber tap assemblies may be configured to tap and split all the remaining optical signal power. The tapped percentage may also vary in accordance with the number of connected optic fiber drop lines from any given one of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116. Moreover, in a particular embodiment that is based upon an active optic fiber tap assembly component (seeFIG. 10described herein below), the percentage of tapped optical power at each one of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies is dynamically configured based upon signal level feedback provided by at least one NIU104connected to each one of the chain of fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116. Additionally, the active optic fiber tap performs responsive/on-demand amplification of the input signal to ensure sufficient optical signal strength in the output signal for all downstream optical fiber taps and/or receivers (e.g. NIU104) on the sub-network.

A set of connectorized optic fiber distribution lines121,122,123,124,125,126and127couple pairs of the serially-connected fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116. Each of the connectorized optic fiber distribution lines121-127includes a corresponding upstream connector interface121b,122b,123b,124b,125b,126band127b. Each of the connectorized optic fiber distribution lines121-127includes a corresponding downstream connector interface121a,122a,123a,124a,125a,126aand127a. As noted above, the connectorized optic fiber distribution lines121-127are buried at a relatively shallow depth of about a foot. This burial depth differs from typical installation depths of over two feet to ensure against cutting/damage after build-out of the optic fiber distribution sub-network.

The connectorized interfaces of the optic fiber distribution lines121-127exhibit a relatively lower signal loss than connectorized interfaces of optic fiber drop lines between NIU's and the connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies110-116. For example the connector interfaces of the optic fiber distribution lines121-127are SC/APC connectors (SC angled polished connector). The loss characteristics of the SC/APC connectors are generally better than the loss characteristics of the interface connectors of the optic fiber tap assemblies to which residential optic fiber drops are connected for the NIUs104. In general, given the introduction of significant signal losses at the optic fiber distribution line connections between serially connected fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies (e.g. optic fiber tap assemblies110and111), the connectorized optic fiber distribution lines121-127use a low loss connector, such as SC/APC, on both optic fiber ends.

The system schematically depicted inFIG. 1generally depicts an exemplary sub-network comprising a series of connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies serially coupled together using connectorized optic fiber distribution lines. Thus, the above description is meant to be exemplary in nature—as opposed to being exhaustive—since the described elements, with the exception of connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies, are generally known in the optic fiber distribution network infrastructure field.

Having described structural/functional elements of an exemplary optic fiber distribution sub-network, attention is directed to the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly structures. Turning toFIG. 2, a schematic drawing is provided of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly110. As previously explained, the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly110provides optic fiber drop line connectivity between a customer's NIU (e.g. NIU104) and the optic fiber distribution line109of the optic fiber distribution sub-network (seeFIG. 1). The fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly110includes an optic fiber tap200configured to redirect a portion (e.g. 10-50 percent) of the optical energy carried on an internal optic fiber line202of the upstream connector110a. Thereafter, an optical splitter structure204evenly distributes the redirected optical energy via lines206,208,210and212to a set of residential drop line connectors215, including individual physical optic fiber line connector interfaces216,218,220and222. As the first optic fiber tap in the series of optical taps, the optic fiber tap200receives a relatively high power optical signal (in comparison to subsequent optical taps within the remaining fully connectorized optical tap assemblies211-216in the exemplary sub-network depicted inFIG. 1). Thus, minimal tapping (e.g., 10 percent) of the optical power input on internal optic fiber line202occurs. The remaining portion (e.g. 90 percent) passes via internal optic fiber line203of the downstream connector110b. The remaining portion, subject to minimized attenuation at a connection interface between the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly downstream connector110band the upstream connector interface121bof the optic fiber distribution line121.

Turning toFIG. 3, an exemplary physical layout for a cabinet300housing the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly110is provided. The cabinet300includes a cable management and weather seal302. A front panel of the cabinet300is removed to show the external optic fiber connector interfaces of the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly110. The set of residential drop line connectors215are shown with corresponding connectorized customer service optic fiber drop lines. Optic fiber tap assembly upstream connector110aand optic fiber tap assembly downstream connector110bare depicted with connectorized optic fiber distribution lines109and121, respectively.

It is noted that the upstream and downstream optic fiber distribution lines109and121may be single fiber lines (as depicted inFIG. 3). However, the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly structures may accommodate multiple optic fiber distribution lines in a by-pass arrangement. Therefore, turning toFIG. 4, in addition to a tapped optic fiber line that is connected to the assembly400via the input/output connectors400a/400b, a further fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly400includes a pass-through connection supported by pass-through circuitry having an external connector interface. In particular, an upstream optic fiber connector interface402is coupled to a complementary downstream optic fiber connector. Thereafter, the optical signal received via connector interface402is passed through the assembly400, without tapping, via optic fiber line403. The optical signal passes via downstream optic fiber connector interface404that is coupled to a complementary upstream optic fiber connector. The connector interfaces402and404are low loss to preserve optical power as the received optical signal is passed through the assembly400. While signal loss will occur in the interfaces402and404, the signal loss can be minimized. The advantage of such arrangement is the ability to facilitate quick/low cost repair when the pass-through optic fiber line is cut.

Turning toFIG. 5, the cabinet300is depicted wherein the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly400incorporates a variation of the optic fiber connection interface depicted inFIG. 3wherein the interface depicted inFIG. 3is augmented to incorporate the upstream/downstream pass-through connection interfaces402and404(seeFIG. 4) for the pass-through fiber line connections to connectorized optic fiber distribution lines in accordance with the pass-through arrangement schematically depicted inFIG. 4.

Turning toFIG. 6, an exemplary cabinet300depicts an alternative to the optic fiber arrangements depicted inFIGS. 3 and 5. Notably, instead of incorporating pass-through optic fiber connector interface into the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assembly (see assembly400ofFIG. 5), two optic fiber segments601and602are connectorized and joined together to form an intermediate connection603housed within the cabinet300. While only a single pass-through connection is illustratively depicted, for purposes of simplifying the drawing, in practice multiple pass-through cables are potentially connected via connection interfaces housed within the cabinet300.

Turning toFIGS. 7, 8 and 9, exemplary optic fiber distribution sub-networks are depicted that show the diverse types of sub-network topologies that are supported by the variously described optic fiber tap assemblies/cabinets described with reference toFIGS. 2-6. InFIG. 7, an exemplary network based upon the path-through structures is shown wherein a first portion700, of the series of fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies, receives an optical signal carried by optic fiber distribution line701. The optic fiber tap assemblies of the first portion700, per the optic fiber tap assembly structures depicted inFIG. 4, also provide connection interfaces for a pass-through optic fiber distribution line702that provides optic fiber signal connectivity to a second portion704of the series of optic fiber tap assemblies.

Turning toFIG. 8, yet another exemplary sub-network topology is depicted wherein cabinets housing the fully connectorized optic fiber tap assemblies also operate as branching locations for pass through optic fiber lines feeding downstream branches of a multi-line sub-network rooted at a fiber patch panel800.

Turning toFIG. 9, yet another exemplary sub-network topology is depicted wherein the sub-network comprises a set of splices (in well-protected portions of an optic fiber distribution line) and connectors at less protected portions of the distribution line (including in the distribution lines containing fully connectorized optic fiber taps for single fiber residential drop distribution lines comprising multiple segments of single fiber drop line connected via fully connectorized optic fiber tap connections.

Turning toFIG. 10, yet another illustrative example of an optic fiber tap assembly is schematically depicted. In the illustrative example ofFIG. 10, a fully connectorized active optic fiber tap assembly (active tap assembly)1000is provided. The active tap assembly1000is independently powered (i.e. does not derive operating power from the input data signal) and responsively adapts optical signal tapping and/or amplification based upon signal level needs of downstream components. Such downstream components may be either/both optical fiber taps and network interface units of individual users. The active tap assembly1000, in contrast to known optic fiber tap assembly devices, permits responsive adjustments to configurable parameters affecting one or more of: the percentage of tapped optical signal, amplification of the received optical signal for downstream optical signal recipients (e.g. connected downstream optic fiber taps), and target wavelength selection during tapping.

The active tap assembly1000, through adjustable operating parameters, facilitates varying a quantity of either/both serially connected downstream optic fiber taps and/or service fiber drops (customers) supported by the active on a per distribution fiber/wavelength basis. Such configurability, which is supported by the active tap assembly1000, may enable an operator to avoid a need to run an additional fiber to reach customers that may instead be serviced by extending optical signal reach along an existing optic fiber distribution line. Moreover, the ability to selectively tap a particular wavelength enables configurable designation of signal sources for particular customers (addressed by wavelength).

With specific reference toFIG. 10, the active tap assembly1000includes a single fiber input connector1002(but may include multiple input connectors in other illustrative examples of the active tap assembly). By way of example, the single fiber input connector1002is a passive (i.e. non-powered) component of the assembly1000. Alternatively, the single fiber input connector1002is an active (i.e. powered) device. An example of an active connector component is a small form pluggable (SFP) connector that supports variable operation (e.g. selective signal amplification) based upon a specified input signal power target. By way of example, the signal power target may be a single value and/or multiple values specifying a signal power target range.

A set of “N” single fiber output connectors1004pass a conditioned (e.g. amplified) non-tapped portion of the optical signal received by the single fiber input connector1002from of the active optic fiber tap assembly1000. The output connectors1004, like the input connector1002, may be passive or active (e.g. SFP) connectors. The multiple nature of the output connectors1004facilitates branching from the active optic fiber tap assembly1000of a single input signal to multiple (replicated) signals for downstream consumption by optical taps and/or drop line end units (e.g. NIUs) along diverging paths from the active optic fiber tap assembly1000.

An optical wavelength tapping circuit1008provides coarse wave division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) wavelength selection elements supporting wavelength selection in accordance with GPON and NGPON2 protocols. The optical wavelength tapping circuit1008selectively taps optical energy from the input optical signal at a configured target: (1) wavelength, and/or (2) power percentage. The tapped optical energy passes to an optical power sensing circuit1012. The optical wavelength tapping circuit1008passes the non-tapped remaining energy, including non-selected wavelength components of the optical signal received by the input connector1002, to the output connectors1004. The optical wavelength tapping circuit1008may additionally provide configurable (e.g. a specified gain) signal amplification for all, or a portion, of the input optical signal received by the input connector1002(e.g., amplify the non-tapped portion of the input signal output via the output connectors1004.

An optical power sensing circuit1012measures the input signal power based upon a target wavelength optical signal provided by wavelength-specific optical tap elements within the tapping circuit1008. In the illustrative example, the optical power sensing circuit1012operates as a configurable optical signal splitter between: (1) an optical signal distribution circuit1016, and (2) an optical signal compensation and amplification element1010. More specifically, the optical power sensing circuit1012, based upon a threshold (minimum) signal power need of the optical signal distribution circuit1016(obtained through interactions with a management element1014) providing the optical signal to a set of service drop connectors1020, configures a portion of the signal power received from the wavelength tapping circuit1008that is separately passed to each of the optical signal distribution circuit1016and the optical signal compensation and amplification element1010.

The optical signal compensation and amplification element1010provides signal correction (e.g. conversion compensation) and amplification for a remaining portion of the target optical wavelength signal (previously tapped by the tapping circuit1008) received from the optical power sensing circuit1012. The optical signal compensation and amplification element1010distributes a resulting corrected and amplified optical signal to a set of “M” single fiber output branching port output connectors1006. The output connectors1006, in turn, provide the corrected and amplified optical signal to a subset of distribution optical tap cascades that branch from the active optical tap assembly1000.

The branching port output connectors1006permit the active tap assembly1000to provide an optic fiber signal feed to either short side routes or provide an interface to existing passive optical tap cascades. In the illustrative example, the optic fiber signal provided to the branching port output connectors1006has been converted (by the optical signal compensation and amplification element1010) to a particular wave length required by a connected downstream optical tap cascade. Thus, the branching port output connectors1006(fed by the conditioned/amplified signal provided by element1010) enable optic fiber network data service (infrastructure) operators to transition from passive optical tap assemblies to active optical taps without changing out the entire infrastructure at once.

Moreover, the combination of the optical signal compensation and amplification element1010and the output connectors1006eliminates a need for pass-through ports that may be needed in sub-networks that utilize passive optical tap assemblies, thereby eliminating a need for multiple single fiber drops passing through a same pedestal (containing the tap assemblies) along a same route only to branch off in a different direction per the optic fiber sub-network topologies illustratively depicted inFIGS. 7 and 8.

The management element1014provides a communications and programmed logic platform that defines the configurable optical signal distribution and amplification operation of the active tap assembly1000for a target wavelength. In an illustrative example, the management element1014: (1) receives any of a variety of command and/or data parameter values from internal components of the active tap assembly1000and external configuration-related command and data sources, (2) processes the received parameter values, and (3) renders configuration instructions to appropriate control elements within the active tap assembly1000. In the illustrative example, the management element1014provides configuration control instructions to: (1) the tapping circuit1008, (2) the input optical signal power sensing circuit1012, and (3) the optical signal compensation and amplification element1010. Such control instructions issued by the management element1014set/modify a variety of signal parameter values, in the above-identified active components of the active tap assembly, including: gain, percentage of signal division between multiple downstream components, target wavelengths, target signal levels/ranges, etc.

For example, based upon received information indicating insufficient signal power to one or more residential users connected via the service drop connectors1020, the management element1014issues an instruction to the optical power sensing circuit1012to provide a greater percentage of the received signal to the output feeding the service drop connectors1020. In a general sense, the management element1014provides a programmable platform (operating system) for running a variety of monitoring, configuration, communications, etc. applications supporting the configurable functional components of the active tap assembly1000. Such functionality includes support for: remote monitoring, network element configuration, end user configuration, software updates, signal troubleshooting, etc.

A power module1030supplies power to each of the active components of the active tap assembly1000via a power supply bus1034. The power module1030is connected to an external power source via an external power connection1032. By way of example, the power module1030receives AC (or DC) power via the external power connection1032and provides DC power via the power supply bus1034.

The active optic fiber tap assembly1000provides extraordinary signal amplification, conditioning, selection, and distribution functionalities that are not needed by all optic fiber signal taps in a sub-network. Thus, one or more downstream units in a series of optical tap assemblies of a same sub-network may be passive.

Additionally, after initial build out, the fully connectorized active optic fiber tap assembly may allow the network operator to manage the amount of customers per wavelength and make changes to the numbers as needed without changing the physical sub-network. For example, using current technology, a single wavelength may serve128customers that consume the entire bandwidth support by the single wavelength. However, the customers may need/demand higher individual bandwidth. To provide more individual bandwidth (capacity), a portion of the128user (e.g.50customers) could be assigned to a new wavelength on the fiber. Thus, through reconfiguration of active tap assemblies such as active tap1000ofFIG. 10(via remote configuration instructions received and processed by active optic fiber taps), an optic fiber data network service provider can “move” 50 of the customers to another wavelength without sending anyone on-site to make any physical changes to the optic fiber distribution network. Rather the changes resulting in the “move” are handled via remotely issued commands/instructions processed by software executed by the active tap assemblies resulting in reconfiguration of tap assembly components responsible for tapping and forwarding portions of a receive optical signal carried on a distribution line of the sub-network. So in practice each wavelength could have a dynamically shifting customer count based on capacity needs and services sold by an optical network data services provider.

The described examples herein are not limited to use of particular types of optic fiber lines (e.g. single or multi-mode fiber). Rather a variety of optic fiber line types are contemplated in accordance with various alternative implementations of optic fiber distribution sub-networks.