Abstract:
A communications management system includes a cabinet, a chassis, and a panel for mounting optical circuits. In one implementation, the chassis is coupled to the cabinet and slides outward from the cabinet and the panel is coupled to the chassis and pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the direction that the chassis slides. A communications management system my include a cabinet with substantially parallel first and second surfaces. In one implementation, one of the surfaces contains a provision for attaching the cabinet to a second cabinet and a feature for passing a communications fiber from the cabinet to the second cabinet. A second communications management system includes panel for mounting optical circuits. In one implementation, the panel includes a feed adapter for terminating optical fibers that are in use and a parking lot for terminating optical fiber that are not in use.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/944,523 (TL1-0119USP1), filed Jun. 17, 2007 which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The following disclosure relates generally to expandable fiber management, fiber management systems, and failure restoration techniques. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Optical fibers can transmit large volumes of digital data and voice signals over relatively long distances, with little or no signal loss. For this reason, optical fibers are widely used in the telecommunications field. As the use of optical fibers has increased, new systems have been developed for managing and organizing the larger numbers of optical fibers. 
         [0004]    For example, typical optical fiber management systems include cable management structures for storing the fibers or connecting the fibers to one or more other fibers and/or fiber optic devices, such as attenuators, connectors, switches, multiplexers, splitters/combiners, or splices. Such fiber management systems are often mounted to a wall, a utility pole, or any other suitable mounting structure, including the ground. However, in such systems, it is often difficult to access the optical connectors, splices, etc., to connect or disconnect the optical fibers. Accordingly, there is a need for a fiber management apparatus that provides easy, unimpeded access to the optical fibers in the apparatus. 
         [0005]    In addition, with the increasing use of optical fiber for digital communications (e.g. video, music, photography, gaming, etc.) there is an ongoing need for additional optical fiber capacity to meet these needs. However, the cost to install additional optical fiber can be prohibitably expensive. Moreover, there maybe little or no space on walls, utility poles or on the ground to install these additional optical fiber systems. Accordingly, there is a need for a fiber management system that is cost effective to install and that takes up a minimal amount of additional space. 
         [0006]    Finally, with the broad adoption of optical fiber and consumers dependence on digital communications to conduct business, communicate with friends and family members, receive digital content, etc. today&#39;s optical fiber communication systems must be robust and reliable. Since a single optical fiber is approximately the size of a human hair it is relatively easily to damage or break a fiber. Accordingly, there is a need for a method of replacing individual optical fibers quickly and easily. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Structures and techniques for managing, expanding, and/or restoring communications networks are disclosed. In one aspect, a communications management apparatus may include a cabinet, a chassis coupled to the cabinet, and a panel coupled to the chassis with a hinge. The chassis may be slideable outward from the cabinet and the panel may pivot relative to the chassis to expose the optical circuits on the back of the panel. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a method for managing fibers may include, for example, opening a cabinet to access a chassis and a panel, sliding the chassis outward from the cabinet and pivoting the panel relative to the chassis to access circuits on the back of the panel. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a communications equipment management system may include a first cabinet with a first access feature for routing a communications fiber from the first cabinet, a second cabinet with a second access feature for routing the communications fiber to the second cabinet, an attachment provision to attach the first cabinet to the second cabinet, a sealing provision to seal a junction between the first cabinet and the second cabinet, and a pass-through for routing the communications fiber from the first cabinet through the pass-through and the first access feature to the second cabinet through the second access feature. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a method of managing communications equipment may include providing a first cabinet to manage a communications fiber, the first cabinet including a first access feature and a pass-through for routing communications fiber from the first cabinet. Providing a second cabinet for managing a communications fiber, the second cabinet including a second access feature for routing communications fiber to the second cabinet. Then placing the second cabinet proximate the first cabinet such that communications fiber may pass from the first cabinet through the pass-through and the first access feature to the second cabinet through the second access feature, and attaching the first cabinet to the second cabinet. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a device may include a cabinet and a panel coupled to the cabinet for mounting optical circuits. The panel may include at least one feed adapter for terminating optical fiber that are in use and a parking lot for terminating optical fibers that are not in use. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a method for restoring fiber optic communication may include terminating at least one optical fiber in a parking lot for future use. If failure of an optical fiber is detected, the damaged optical fiber can be replaced with the terminated optical fiber to restore fiber optic communications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]    The detailed description refers to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of an illustrative apparatus for managing optical fiber, according to one implementation, including an access door. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with the access door open to expose a chassis and panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2 , shown with the chassis extended and panel pivoted downward/outward. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting an illustrative method of managing optical fiber. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an illustrative optical fiber management system, including provisions for passing optical fibers to a second optical fiber management device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the optical fiber management device of  FIG. 5 , with the access door open to illustrate a pass through for optical fiber. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart depicting another illustrative method of managing optical fiber. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an illustrative panel for mounting optical circuits including a parking lot for terminating optical fibers that are not in use. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting an illustrative method of restoring fiber optic communication. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]    This disclosure is directed to apparatus and techniques for managing fibers, fiber management devices, techniques for expanding fiber optic networks, and methods for restoring fiber optic communications. Some apparatuses and techniques are described in the context of a chassis for managing optical fiber. Also, techniques for restoring fiber optic communication are described in the context of a panel. However, the apparatuses and techniques described herein may be used in other environments and are applicable to other contexts. In addition, the apparatuses, systems and methods may be used to manage fibers other than optical fibers, such as wire and the like. 
       Illustrative Apparatus for Managing Optical Fiber 
       [0024]    Once optical fibers are installed in a fiber management apparatus, there is still a need to access the fibers and connections to, for example, perform testing, connecting patch fibers, splicing fibers, rerouting fibers, or otherwise servicing one or more fibers or fiber optic devices. In conventional fiber management apparatuses it is often difficult or cumbersome to access the fibers managed by the fiber management apparatuses due to, for example, tightly packed components, small clearances between moving parts, and the like. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates an illustrative apparatus for managing optical fiber  100 , which contains a cabinet  101 , a chassis, and a panel (not show). The cabinet  101  includes an access door  102  for accessing the chassis and panel residing inside the cabinet  101 . The cabinet  101  also includes a left surface  104 , a right surface  106 , a top surface  108 , a bottom surface  110  and a back surface  112 . The cabinet  100  may also contain provisions to mount the cabinet  101  to a utility pole, the wall of a structure or on the ground (e.g. on a concrete pad) (not shown). 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates apparatus  100  with the access door  102  open and the chassis  202  extended outward form the cabinet  101  to expose panel  204  and the optical circuits and components mounted to the panel  204 . The optical components may include splices, attenuators, connectors, switches, multiplexers, splitters/combiners, and the like. 
         [0027]    In the illustrative embodiment, the chassis  202  is attached to the interior of the cabinet  101  with slides, linear bearings, or other mechanical mechanisms that allow the chassis  202  to extend outward from the cabinet  101 . This allows a service technician or repair person to access the optical circuits, and components (not shown) that are mounted to the panel  204 . In one embodiment, the chassis  202  extends about nine inches beyond the cabinet  101 . However, the chassis  202  could be designed to extend a greater or lesser distance depending on the depth of the cabinet  101 , the height of the panel  204  and the amount of access required to expose the back of the panel  204 . In other implementations, the chassis  202  could additionally or alternatively be configured to pivot relative to the cabinet  101 , be removable from the cabinet  101 , and/or be otherwise movable relative to the cabinet  101 . 
         [0028]    In the illustrative embodiment, the panel  204  is attached to the chassis  202  with a hinge or other attachment mechanism that allows the panel  204  to pivot or rotate relative to the chassis  202 . In one embodiment, the panel  204  is attached to the top surface of the chassis  206  and the panel  204  pivots or tips downward (outward) to provide access to the back of the panel  208 . However, it should be recognized that the panel  204  could be attached to the chassis  202  in a number of different configurations, so long as the panel  204  pivots relative to the chassis  202 . For example, the panel  204  could pivot horizontally either toward or away from the access door  102  or the bottom of the panel  202  could pivot upward to expose the back of the panel  208 . In other implementations, the panel  204  may be fixed relative to the chassis  202  or slideable relative to the chassis  202 . In yet other implementations, the panel and chassis may be integrated together. 
         [0029]    The panel  204  may also include an attachment device  212  for securing the panel  204  to the chassis  202  and preventing it form pivoting until the attachment device  212  is disconnected from the chassis  202 . The attachment device may include a screw, bolt, cam lock or other suitable device for attaching the panel  204  to the chassis  202 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts the chassis  202  extended outward from the cabinet  101  with the panel  204  pivoted downward through an angle (θ) exposing the fiber optic circuits and components (not shown) that are attached to the back of the panel  208 . From this orientation a service technician or repair person can easily access the circuits and components to add additional circuits, make repairs, or other activities requiring access to the back of the panel  208 . In one implementation, the panel  204  is pivoted through an angle (θ) of approximately 90 degrees to approximately 45 degrees relative to the top surface of the chassis  206 . In another implementation, the angle (θ) is between about 90 and about 60 degrees relative to the top of the chassis  206 . Furthermore, the panel  204  may include an access door  210  for accessing the fiber optic circuits and components on the back of the panel  208 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart depicting an illustrative method of managing optical fibers using the apparatus for managing optical fiber  100 . The cabinet access door  102  is unlocked and opened to expose the chassis  202  and panel  204 , at block  402 . Alternatively, the cabinet could be opened by removing the door  102  from the cabinet  101 , sliding the door  102  sideways, rolling the door  102  up, or other methods of providing access to the interior of the cabinet  101 . The chassis  202  is then extended outward from the cabinet  101  to provide access to the panel  204 , at block  404 . As previously noted, the chassis  202  may be attached to the cabinet  101  with slides, linear bearings or other attachment devices that allow the chassis  202  to extend outward from the cabinet  101 . The attachment device  212  is disconnected from the chassis  202  and the panel  204  is pivoted forward to provide access to the back of the panel  208 , at block  406 . Once the panel  204  has been pivoted forward to expose the back of the panel  208 , a technician or repair person can access the optical circuits mounted to the back of the panel  208 . 
       Illustrative Optical Fiber Management System 
       [0032]    As noted previously, there is a need for additional optical fiber capacity to meet the needs of business and consumers. However, the cost to install additional optical fiber can be prohibitably expensive partially because of the space and time need to install additional fiber optic components. Accordingly, there is a need for an optical fiber management systems that are cost effective to install and that take up a minimal amount of space. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts an optical fiber management system  500  for managing optical fiber. The fiber management system  500  may include a cabinet  101  for containing fiber optic components, a removable panel  502  for accessing the interior of the cabinet  101 , a pass-through  504  for routing fiber optic cables through the cabinet  101 , and attachment provisions  506  for attaching the system  500  to other systems  500 . 
         [0034]    The removable panel  502  is attached to the cabinet  101  such that it may be removed to provide access to the optical components residing within the cabinet  101 . The removable panel  502  is attached to the cabinet with one or more attachment devices such as screws, bolts, cam locks, rivets or other suitable removable fasteners. It should be appreciated that while the removable panel  502  is shown on the top surface  108  of the cabinet  101 , removable panels  502  may additionally or alternatively be located on the left side  104 , the right side  106 , the bottom surface  110 , or the back surface  112  of the cabinet  101 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  depicts the optical fiber management system  500  including a pass through  504  for running fiber optic cables through the cabinet  101 . The purpose of the pass through  504  is to isolate the optical fiber from the interior of the cabinet  101  so that it can be run through the cabinet without interfering with the other contents of the cabinet  101  (e.g., the chassis, other optical fiber cables, optical components, etc.). 
         [0036]    The pass through  504  includes a first opening  602 , a second opening  604 , and a conduit  606 . The pass through  504  is shown running from the top surface  108  of the cabinet  101  to the bottom surface  110  of the cabinet  101 . However, it should be appreciated that the pass thorough  504  could run between any two surfaces of the cabinet  101 . For example, from the left side  104  of the cabinet  101  to the right side  106  of the cabinet  101 . The exemplary pass through  504  is also shown running along an inner corner of the cabinet  101 . However, the pass through  504  could run through any location within the cabinet  101  or externally along an outer surface of the cabinet  101 . Furthermore, the exemplary conduit  606  is shown with a rectangular cross section. However, it should be recognized that the conduit  606  could be configured in several alternative cross sections including: round, square, triangular or any other suitable cross section. It should also be appreciated that the pass through  504  may include a removable panel (not shown) for closing the pass through  504  when it is not in use. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  depicts an illustrative method of managing optical fiber. A first optical fiber management system  500  system is provided, at block  702 . The first optical fiber management system  500  may be prepared for installation by removing one or more access panels  502 , removing a side ( 104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ), accessing a pass through  504 , or placing one or more holes (not shown) in the cabinet  101 . Alternatively, the first optical fiber management system  500  may already be configured for installation. 
         [0038]    A second optical fiber management system  500  is provided, at block  704 . The second optical fiber management system  500  may also be prepared for installation by removing one or more access panels  502 , removing a side ( 104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ), removing a panel covering a pass through  504 , or placing one or more holes (not shown) in the cabinet  101 . Alternatively, the second optical fiber management system  500  may also be preconfigured for installation. 
         [0039]    The second optical fiber management system  500  is then placed proximate the first optical fiber management system  500 , at block  706 . The second optical fiber management system  500  may be place on top, below, or adjacent the first optical fiber management system  500  such that an optical fiber may pass between them. 
         [0040]    The first and second optical fiber management systems  500  are aligned in order to align the open access panel(s)  502  and/or pass through(s)  504  and coupled the management systems together, at block  708 . As previously noted, the optical fiber management systems  500  contain provisions  506  for attaching them together. The attachment provisions  506  may include bolts, screws, cam locks, rivets or other suitable means of attaching the systems  500  together. The optical fiber management systems  500  may also include provisions for sealing the facing surfaces between the systems  500  to prevent water and contaminates from entering the cabinets  101 . The sealing provisions may include gaskets, a face seals, O-rings or other suitable means of sealing the surfaces between the systems  500 . 
         [0041]    Next, one or more fiber optic cables are routed through the access provisions in the systems  500 , at block  710 . The cables could be routed from the first to the second optical fiber management system  500  or alternatively from the second to the first optical fiber management system  500 . Additionally, any number of additional optical fiber management system  500  may be attached in a similar manner. 
       Illustrative Restoration of Optical Fiber Communication 
       [0042]    As previously noted, businesses and consumers depend on digital communications to conduct business, communicate with friends and family members, and receive important information. Today&#39;s optical fiber communication systems must be robust and reliable. However, a single optical fiber is the size of a human hair and is relatively easily to damage or break a fiber. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  depicts an illustrative panel  802  that is part of an optical fiber management system. The panel  802  is mounted inside a cabinet  101  that is configured to manage optical fiber. Alternatively, the panel  802  could be mounted to a wall, a rack or other suitable support structure. The illustrative panel  802  includes a plurality of feed adapters  804  that are mounted in a block like arrangement along the top of the panel  802 . In general, a typical fiber optic cable contains 24 individual optical fibers and accordingly requires 24 feed adapters  804 . However, any suitable number of feed adapters  804  could be employed, depending on the size of the fiber optic cable and the design of the fiber management system. The panel  802  may also include a parking lot  806  for terminating optical fibers that are not currently being used. The representative parking lot  806  contains provisions for 24 individual optical fibers. However, any number of optical fibers could be terminated in the parking lot  806 . For example, in one implementation the optical fiber management system receives at least one 24 termination fiber optic cable and at least one optical fiber is terminated in the parking lot  806 . In an alternate implementation, the optical fiber management system receives at least one 24 termination fiber optic cable and at least six optical fibers are terminated in the parking lot  806 . In a further alternate implementation, the optical fiber management system receives a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and one half the plurality of optical fibers are terminated in the parking lot  806 . 
         [0044]    In an alternate implementation, the panel  802  may contain a door  808  or other provision for accessing the back of the panel  810 . The door  808  may be used to access the backside of the optical fiber terminations, reroute circuits, or clean the terminations. In further alternate implementations, the feed adapters  804  and parking lot  806  could be located on the same side of the panel  802 . 
         [0045]    Once an optical fiber is installed and is in use, there is the possibility that the fiber may become damaged or broken, thus preventing data from being transmitted over the fiber. This can be significant issue when transmission capacity is limited and communications must be restored quickly. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  depicts an illustrative method of restoring fiber optic communications in accordance with an implementation. Typically when fiber optic cables are laid the cable service provider includes additional capacity to accommodate future demand. These unused fibers are routed to panel  802  and terminated in the parking lot  806 , at block  902 . 
         [0047]    Damage to an optical fiber may be detected by measuring the data rate transmitted by the fiber. If the data rate falls below a threshold value or if the fiber stops transmitting all together, a photo detector receiver (not shown) can be used to detect the damage to the fiber, at block  904 . Once the damaged fiber has been detected, a service technician or repair person is notified and the damaged fiber is disconnected from its feed adapter  804 , at block  906 . The service technician then removes a spare optical fiber from the parking lot  806  and places it in the vacant feed adapter  804 , at block  908 . The fiber optic communications system is then reconfigured to transmit data over the spare fiber and the communications is restored, at block  910 . Alternatively, the service technician may test the circuit to verify that the connection has been properly made and the spare fiber is not damaged. 
         [0048]    While several illustrative implementations of structured cabling installations have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that the features of each of the installations may be rearranged, omitted, modified, and/or combined with one another. 
         [0049]    While several illustrative methods have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that the acts of each of the methods may be rearranged, omitted, modified, and/or combined with one another. 
       Conclusion 
       [0050]    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. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims.