Abstract:
An example telecommunications cabinet includes: an enclosure including sidewalls extending between a bottom of the enclosure and a top of the enclosure to define an interior of the enclosure; telecommunications equipment disposed within the interior of the enclosure; and a data distribution arrangement disposed on one of the sidewalls within the interior of the enclosure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/670,414, filed Jul. 11, 2012, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Telecommunications cabinets are used to hold equipment used in fiber optic and electrical networks. The equipment can be used to split and switch connections between origins and terminations. The equipment can perform other functions as well, such as to add power in Power-Over-Ethernet networks. 
         [0003]    Fiber optic cables are typically run into and out of the cabinet to terminate with the equipment in the cabinet. Further, jumper cables can be used to make connections between different equipment within the cabinet. Excess cable can be looped and housed within the cabinet until needed. Heat generated by the equipment can be significant within the cabinet. The amount of cable run within the cabinet can disrupt cooling, thereby exacerbating the heating problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect, an example telecommunications cabinet includes: an enclosure including sidewalls extending between a bottom of the enclosure and a top of the enclosure to define an interior of the enclosure; telecommunications equipment disposed within the interior of the enclosure; and a data distribution arrangement disposed on one of the sidewalls within the interior of the enclosure. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a telecommunications cabinet includes: an enclosure including sidewalls extending between a bottom of the enclosure and a top of the enclosure to define an interior of the enclosure; telecommunications equipment disposed within the interior of the enclosure; an optical flexible foil cable disposed on one of the sidewalls within the interior of the enclosure, wherein the optical flexible foil cable is formed from a flexible polycarbonate material; wherein the optical flexible foil cable extends from the top of the enclosure through one of the sidewalls towards the bottom. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect, a method of distributing cables in a telecommunications cabinet includes: providing an enclosure including sidewalls extending between a bottom of the enclosure and a top of the enclosure to define an interior of the enclosure; positioning telecommunications equipment within the interior of the enclosure; and running a cable from the top of the enclosure, through the sidewalls within the interior of the enclosure, and to the telecommunications equipment. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an example telecommunications cabinet. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of example cabling provided within the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of example cabling provided within the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an example top wall of the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a portion of the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side view of example cabling provided within the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side view of example cabling provided within the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side view of example cabling provided within the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a side view of example cabling provided within the cabinet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side view of another example telecommunications cabinet. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side view of another example telecommunications cabinet. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a side view of another example telecommunications cabinet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The present disclosure is directed towards configurations for cabinets for telecommunications equipment. Although not so limited, an appreciation of the various aspects of the present disclosure will be gained through a discussion of the examples provided below. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate one example embodiment for a telecommunications cabinet  100 . In this example, the cabinet  100  includes a top wall  126 , a bottom wall  128 , and side walls  122 ,  124 . A front wall (not shown) is also typically included so that the cabinet  100  provides an enclosed environment for telecommunications equipment. 
         [0021]    In the example shown, telecommunications equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  is provided within the cabinet  100 . The equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  can perform various tasks, such as splitting and/or routing optical and electrical connections from an origin to a destination. The equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  can also perform such tasks as injecting power in a Power-Over-Ethernet environment. Other configurations are possible. 
         [0022]    The telecommunications equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  must be connected with a plurality of cables (fiber and/or electrical) to perform these functions. In this example, cables  104 ,  106  are routed from a fiber guide system  102  located above the cabinet  100 . The cables  104 ,  106  are terminated at the top wall  126  of the cabinet  100 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the top wall  126  includes modules  310 ,  314  with a plurality of ports  312  provided therein. Each of the ports  312  can terminate a fiber and/or electrical connection. The ports  312  can be used to make connections with the equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  located within the cabinet  100 , as described further below. The ports  312  can provide data and/or power to the equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136 . 
         [0024]    In one example, the modules  310 ,  314  are equipped with connection point identification technology (CPID) so that information contained in integrated circuit boards on the connectors connected to the modules  310 ,  314  is communicated to the equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136 . One example of such CPID technology is the Quareo Technology provided by TE Connectivity of Berwyn, Pa. 
         [0025]    In this example, the ports  312  can accept a variety of connectors. For example, fiber connectors can include an LC connector, although other connector types can be used. For example, in alternative embodiments, SC, MU, or LX.5 connectors can be used, such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,782. 
         [0026]    The top wall  126  also includes ports  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326  that perform various other functions. In this example, the ports  320 ,  322  are power ports that connect with electrical cables to provide power to the equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  within the cabinet  100 . 
         [0027]    The ports  324 ,  326  are optical CPID ports that allow the cabinet  100  to be connected with other equipment, such as other cabinets of similar configuration. In this example, the cabinet  100  can be connected to a network having various configurations. For example, wired to other cabinets to provide interconnections therebetween. In another example, each cabinet can be wired to a switch matrix or patch panel to provide connectivity between cabinets. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , the side walls  122 ,  124  define passages  366  through which cabling  210  is run from the top wall  126  to the equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  within the cabinet  100 . In example embodiments, the sidewalls  122 ,  124  can be formed of two or more panels  125 ,  127  that together form the passage  366  therethrough. The passage  366  can be partially and/or completely enclosed as the side walls  122 ,  124  extend from the top wall  126  to the bottom wall  128 . Other configurations can be used to form the passage  366 . For example, in alternative embodiments, the passage  366  can be formed by other structures, such as beams with hollow interiors that are used to form portions of the side walls  122 ,  124 . 
         [0029]    Specifically, cables that originate from the modules  310 ,  314  and ports  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326  on the top wall  126  are run through the side walls  122 ,  124 . In this example, the cabling can be a dense-type cabling, such as multi-mode and/or single mode fibers that have been embedded in a flexible foil structure. The foil structure can be made of various materials, such as a polycarbonate or a polyimide film, such as Kapton® polyimide film made by DuPont of Wilmington, Del. The foil allows for increased density when running a plurality of fibers while minimizing heat. 
         [0030]    The cabling  210  is terminated along the side walls  122 ,  124  at modules  220 ,  230  that include ports  222 ,  232 . The modules  220 ,  230  can be of different types. For example, in this illustration, the port  222  on the module  220  is an MTP port, and the ports  232  on the module  230  are LC ports. Other configurations are possible. 
         [0031]    Short jumper cables  123 ,  143 ,  144  can be connected from the modules  220 ,  230  to ports located on the equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136  within the cabinet  100 . By optimizing (i e, minimizing) the size of the jumper cables  123 ,  143 ,  144 , any slack within the cabinet is minimized. For example, the jumper cables  123 ,  143 ,  144  can be provided in different sizes so that the correct size can be used to route a jumper cable from a particular port on the side wall  122 ,  124  to a particular port on the equipment  132 ,  134 ,  136 . In this manner, excess cable within the cabinet  100  is minimized. 
         [0032]    In addition to running fiber through the side walls  122 ,  124 , electrical cabling can also be provided through the side walls  122 ,  124 . For example, electrical wires providing data and/or power can be run through the side walls  122 ,  124  to terminations within the cabinet  100 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , examples of the cabling  210  are shown. In  FIG. 6 , the cabling  210  includes the foil  372  in which optical fibers  374  are embedded. The foil  372  is flexible so that it can be positioned within the passages  366  to run from the top wall  126  to the bottom wall  128 . The foil  372  expands at the top to provide connections with the modules located at the top wall  126 . The foil  372  tapers into a more compact structure as the foil extends from the top wall  126  to allow for a greater density of cabling within the passages  366 . 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 7 , an alternative configuration for the cabling is shown. In this example, circular cables  510  are fed into a convex foil  512  that is extended through the passages  366 . Other configurations are possible. Further, as noted previously, the foil can be used to carry both data and/or power. 
         [0035]    For example, referring now to  FIG. 8 , an example flat power cable  500  is shown. The cable  500  is configured to be run within the passages  366  on the side walls  122 ,  124 . 
         [0036]    The cable  500  includes a module  514  that is positioned at the top wall  126  so that external cabling can be connected thereto. A flat cable  520  extends from the module  514 . In this example, the flat cable  520  is a multi-layered cable wrapped in a polymeric housing. Multiple wires can be run therethrough while maintaining optimal density and thermal characteristics. 
         [0037]    The cable  520  is terminated at a plurality of connections  522 . In the example shown, one or more of the connections  522  includes a port interface  532 , such as a Quareo CPID interface shown in  FIG. 8 . The connection  522  also includes indicator lights  534 ,  536  for each electrical outlet  538 . In this example, the lights  534 ,  536  are LEDs, with the light  534  indicating voltage within specified limits (e.g., for a Power-Over-Ethernet implementation) for the outlet  538 , and the light  536  indicates that the electrical outlet  538  is active (e.g., by sensing a current at the outlet). Each outlet  538  can also include a removable fuse  540 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , another example cable  600  is shown. The cable  600  provides both control and monitoring on the ports  1 - 5 . Specifically, the cable  600  includes a control module  614  that communicates on a wire  622 . The control module  614  can function to provide control and monitoring of the ports, such as CPID, LED signaling, and current sensing. A power bus  612  provides power to each of the ports. The wire  622  and the bus  612  are both run through a flexible foil  620  made of a material like Kapton® polyimide film. 
         [0039]    In example embodiments, the control module  614  can include various logical components. For example, the control module  614  can include a microprocessor to control monitoring of the network. The control module  614  can include storage and one or more removable storage devices (e.g., an SD Card port) that allows for event-related storage. The control module  614  can include communications circuitry that allows the control module  614  to communicate with the remainder of the network using Ethernet. 
         [0040]    Each example port can also include enhanced functionality, including providing power in the Power-Over-Ethernet implementations. A microprocessor, such as a 16-bit DSP, can also be provided to perform functions like voltage and current sensing at the port. Other configurations are possible. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , another example telecommunications cabinet  700  is shown. The cabinet  700  is similar to the cabinet  100  described above. However, the cabling  710  run within the side walls  122 ,  124  of the cabinet  700  includes MPO cables that extend from the modules  310  in the top wall  126  to modules  230  in the side walls  122 ,  124 . The modules  230  include LC ports, so that data that is transmitted from ports in the modules  310  is terminated in the LC ports in the modules  230 . The cabling  710  can be provided on a single plane to allow for maximization of air flow. 
         [0042]    In alternative designs, electrical cables can be run. For example, the cabling could be MRJ21 cables that extend from the modules  310  in the top wall  126  to modules  230  in the side walls  122 ,  124 . The modules  230  could include RJ45 ports, so that data is transmitted from ports in the modules  310  is terminated in the RJ45 ports in the modules  230 . 
         [0043]    Similarly, in  FIG. 11 , a telecommunications cabinet  800  includes modules  812  formed of rigid printed circuit boards (PCBs) with jacks attached thereto. Flexible PCB cabling  810  extends from the modules  812 , through the side walls  122 ,  124 , to modules  830 . The modules  830  are again formed of rigid PCB boards having jacks attached thereto. In this example, the jacks on the modules  812  are MRJ21 jacks, and the jacks on the modules  830  are RJ45 jacks. 
         [0044]    In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , an example telecommunications cabinet  900  includes modules  910 ,  930  and cabling  912 , all formed of rigid PCB board. Data is electrically transmitted to/from the modules  910 ,  930 . The rigid PCB board extends through the side walls  122 ,  124 . Other configurations are possible. 
         [0045]    There can be various advantages associated with the configurations described herein. For example, by providing the terminations at the outside of the cabinet, the amount of cabling run within the cabinet can be controlled to maximize thermal properties, such as cooling. Further, routing the cables through the side walls allows the cabinets to be “pre-wired” during assembly of the cabinets, thereby further optimizing cabling within the cabinets. 
         [0046]    The routing of the cables in this manner also increases the density of the cabling that can be provided. The ribbon-like cabling allows for multiple layers of cable to be stacked, increasing the density of the cabling. Use of jumper cables of specified lengths also minimizes excess cabling (e.g., slack) within the cabinet, enhancing the thermal properties of the cabinet. 
         [0047]    Further, termination of the ports outside of the cabinet minimizes the need to access the internal space of the cabinet for modifications, such as moves, adds, and changes (MAC). This results in a reduction for the need of patch panels and optimizes rack space for further equipment to be stored within the cabinet. 
         [0048]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.