Patent Publication Number: US-2022229251-A1

Title: Smart pole assembly connectivity

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/647,453, filed on Mar. 13, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,209,603, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national phase application of PCT/US2018/051127, filed on Sep. 14, 2018, which claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/559,283, filed on Sep. 15, 2017, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, the telecommunications industry has experienced rapid growth by offering a variety of new and improved services to customers. This growth has been particularly notable in the area of wireless communications, e.g., cellular, personal communication services (PCS) and other mobile radio systems. The technology is continually evolving as consumer needs change and new ideas are developed. As new wireless technologies are developed, companies must invest large amounts of time and resources to upgrade all their existing hardware so that it is compatible with the new technology. Often a change in one component of a system requires time and labor intensive removal and installation of component-specific cabling. In this ever changing environment, system design flexibility is a significant advantage. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the disclosure a smart pole assembly network or topology is presented. The network or topology can include a plurality of interconnected smart pole assemblies. 
     In some examples, one or more of the smart pole assemblies can include a pole structure having a hollow interior and a light fixture supported by the pole structure. 
     In some examples, the smart pole assemblies can also include a vertical cabling structure extending through the hollow interior of the pole structure, wherein the cabling structure is connectorized at each end. [0006] In some examples, the smart pole assemblies can also include a data-communications module supported by the pole structure and receiving the at least one vertical cabling structure. 
     In some examples, the smart pole assembly network or topology can include a fiber backhaul to which the vertical cabling structures of each of the plurality of smart poles is connected. 
     In some examples, the data-communications module includes a metro cell radio/antenna station. 
     In some examples, the network or topology can include an AC to DC rectifier connected to power cabling of the vertical cabling structure of each smart pole assembly. 
     In some examples, the vertical cabling structure or harness can include one or more of connectorized fiber optic cables, DC power cables, and connectorized Category 6 cables. 
     In some examples, fiber optic cables are terminated with hardened multi-fiber optical connectors at each end. 
     In one example, the smart poll assembly includes a pole structure having a hollow interior, a light fixture supported by the pole structure, and at least one vertical cabling structure extending through the hollow interior of the pole structure, a data-communications module supported by the pole structure and receiving the at least one vertical cabling structure, wherein the at least one cabling structure is connectorized at each end and including at least one connectorized fiber optic cable and at least one connectorized DC power cable, and wherein the data-communications module includes one or both of a metro cell and a wireless transceiver. As with other examples, the fiber optic cables can be terminated with hardened multi-fiber optical connectors at each end. As with other examples, the smart pole assembly can include at least one connectorized jumper cable removably connecting one or both of the metro cell and wireless transceiver with the at least one vertical cabling structure. As with other examples, the vertical cabling structure can include a connectorized Category 6 cable. 
     A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a smart pole assembly having features in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of the smart pole assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , additionally showing components of the smart pole assembly and additional connectivity features. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of examples of equipment and jumpers to equipment which can be provided with the smart pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of examples of vertical connectivity components which can be provided with the smart pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of a first example of connectivity components which can be provided at the base of the smart pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic representation of a second example of connectivity components which can be provided at the base of the smart pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic representation of a second example of connectivity components which can be provided at the base of the smart pole assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a fiber backhaul arrangement that can be provided to connect with a plurality of the smart pole assemblies shown in  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a first topology arrangement utilizing a plurality of the smart pole assemblies shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of a second topology arrangement utilizing a plurality of the smart pole assemblies shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a third topology arrangement utilizing a plurality of the smart pole assemblies shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various examples does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible examples for the appended claims. Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components throughout the several figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a smart pole assembly  10  is shown. In one aspect, the smart pole assembly  10  can include a pole structure  12  having a hollow interior supported by a base  14 . A lamp or light fixture  16  can be supported by the pole structure  12  and can be powered by a power line  20  extending through the base  14  and pole structure  12 . 
     The smart pole assembly  10  can also be provided with a communications module  18  supported by the pole structure  12 . The data-communications module  18 , which can be provided with an enclosure  19 , can be provided to support and/or house a variety of data-communications equipment components  30 . For example, the data-communications module  18  can be provided with a metro cell mobile phone station  30   a  including one or more radio heads and antennas, a wireless transceiver  30   b , a photo-cell for sensing ambient light conditions, speakers, microphones, cameras, RFID sensors, a back-up battery system, and/or photovoltaic systems. Some examples are shown at  FIG. 3 . U.S. Pat. No. 9,106,981 entitled Aggregation enclosure for elevated outdoor conditions and issued on Aug. 11, 2015, also includes examples of data-communications components and systems, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. Many other possibilities exist, depending upon the desired application and location of a particular smart pole assembly  10 . 
     Due to the wide variety and combinations of potential components that could be associated with the data-communications module  18 , it is desirable to have a system which is adaptable such that a plug and play environment exists for connections between the components and the cabling within the pole structure  12 . Such flexibility allows for components to be easily installed onto a pole without requiring a new run of cable through the entire pole structure  12 . Also, such an arrangement avoids needing to remove existing cabling associated with a removed component through the pole structure  12 . The disclosed system is flexible in all of the aforementioned ways. To this end, and as shown at  FIGS. 2   3 , the data-communications module  18  may be provided with quick-disconnect jumper cabling  32  for connection with the components associated with the data-communications assembly  18 . For example, a fan-out harness  32   a  can be provided with multiple ruggedized or hardened connectors, for example multiple hardened multi-fiber optical connectors (FDVIFOC) can be provided for connection with the adapters of multiple components  30 . An example of an FDVIFOC-type connection is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,348,096 entitled Passive Distribution System using Fiber Indexing and issued on May 24, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. One or more Category 6 (CAT6) power over Ethernet (POE) jumper cables  32   b  can also be provided. AC and/or DC power jumper cabling  32   c  can also be provided for powering the components  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the jumper cabling  32  can be connected to vertical connectivity cabling structures or harnesses  50  which are routed through the pole structure  12 . For example, a cable  50   a  can be provided with fiber optic cables with hardened multi-fiber optical connectors (HMFOC) at each end. As such, the cabling structures  50  can be characterized as being connectorized at both ends. One or more Category 6 (Cat 6) power over Ethernet (POE) cables  50   b  can also be provided, for example a cable including a plurality of copper-based twisted-pair cables. AC and/or DC power cabling  50   c  can also be provided. In the particular example shown at  FIG. 4 , a 12 fiber HMFOC cable  50   a , two CAT6 cables, and three DC power cables  50   c  are provided and routed through the pole structure  12  and connected to the associated jumper cables  32 . With such a configuration, the cabling structures  50  can remain in place when components  30  are added, removed, and/or replaced since the required jumper cables  32  can be likewise added, removed, and/or replaced instead of the entire cabling run from the base  14  to the data-communications module. However, it should be understood that cabling can be added, removed, and/or replaced within the hollow interior of the pole structure  12  at any time, if desired. 
     In one aspect, the data-communications module  18  or the pole structure  12  can include an organized connectivity box  34 , panel, or enclosure receiving the jumper cabling  32  and the vertical cabling structures  50  such that they can be interconnected. Where the jumper cabling  32  and vertical cabling structures  50  include optical fibers, the organized connectivity box  34  can include an adapter arrangement including one or more adapters into which the connectorized optical fibers of the jumper cabling  32  and vertical cabling structures  50  can be received. The organized connectivity box  34  can also include strain relief features such that the weight of the vertical cabling structures  50  does not exert stress onto the connections with the jumper cabling  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-5B , the base  14  can be additionally provided with base connectivity cabling and equipment  70  for connection with the connectivity structures  50 . In the example shown at  FIG. 5 , a HMFOC fiber splice cable  70   a , a splice closure  70   b , and power supply cabling  70   c  are provided. In the example shown at  FIG. 5  A, HMFOC fanout cabling  70   d , a demarcation box  70   e , and power supply cabling  70   c  are provided. In the example shown at  FIG. 5B , a HMFOC hardened fanout  70   f , a hardened pretermination box  70   g , and power supply cabling  70   c  are provided. The modularity of the base cabling and equipment  70  allows for the cabling and equipment  70   a - 70   g  to be easily installed, removed, and/or replaced without requiring replacement of the vertical cabling structures  50 . 
     In some examples, the splice closure  70   b , demarcation box  70   e , and/or the hardened pretermination box can be housed in a separate substructure from the base  14 , such as a vault or a stand-alone enclosure, and can function as a fiber backhaul  90 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In such a configuration, the power cabling  70   c  can also be fed through the substructure that houses the fiber back-haul  90 . In one example, the substructure can also include a battery back-up for providing power to the connected light pole assemblies  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a schematic representation of a first topology arrangement  100  utilizing a plurality of smart pole assemblies  10  is presented. In this configuration, the smart pole assemblies  10  are installed with traditional street light wiring  102  where AC power is fed and controlled from a central point. One or more of the smart pole assemblies  10  are each provided with a vertical connectivity cabling structure  50  such that the smart pole assemblies  10  are ready for installation of any desired data-communications equipment  30  at a later time. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a schematic representation of a second topology arrangement  200  utilizing a plurality of smart pole assemblies  10  is presented. In this configuration, a master smart pole assembly  10 A is installed along with one or more standard smart pole assemblies  10 B. Each of the smart pole assemblies  10  (i.e.  10 A and  10 B) is configured with traditional street light wiring  202  where AC power is fed and controlled from a central point. The master smart pole assembly  10 A is provided with metro cell equipment  30 A equipment and a fiber fanout or splitter  32 A inside or adjacent. Each smart pole assembly  10 B also has a vertical connectivity cabling structure  50  inside the pole  12  making the poles  10 B “smart” ready. Thus in the future, the incumbent only needs to work on the top of the pole  12  and the fanout or splitter  32 A at the master pole  10 A to provide connectivity between the smart pole assemblies  10 A,  10 B. This work can be accomplished by a single installer which is an advantage over poles of the type where cabling must be entirely installed, removed, and/or replaced through the pole structure  12  which generally requires two installers with a fish tape. The exact count of vertical fibers within the vertical connectivity cabling structure  50  can be provided to handle a predetermined number of connections. For example, the vertical connectivity cabling structures  50  can be provided with at least twelve fibers per cable. Twenty four fibers per cable is also possible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a schematic representation of a third topology arrangement  300  utilizing a plurality of smart pole assemblies  10  is presented. Similarly to the arrangement shown at  FIG. 8 , the third topology arrangement  300  includes a master smart pole assembly  10 A is installed along with one or more standard smart pole assemblies  10 B. However, the third topology arrangement  300  additionally includes an AC to DC power converter or rectifier  92  at the fiber backhaul  90  that is connected to the AC power feed  302 . The rectifier  92  is connected to the backhaul  90  which then feeds DC power to each smart pole assembly  10 A,  10 B via power supply cabling  70   c . Power supply cabling  70   c  is connected to power supply cabling  50   c  and power jumper cabling  32   c , as described above. The current power feed from the rectifier  92  can be 48VDC, power over ethernet (POE) power, or both. In one example, the master smart pole assembly  10 A can house the backhaul fiber splitters and power unit/rectifier  92  inside or adjacent to the master pole, for example within the base  14 . These components could also be remotely located, such as in a vault or separate enclosure. The power rectifier  92  can also include provisions for a backup power source (like batteries). 
     From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident that modifications and variations can be made in the aspects of the disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the aspects. While the best modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims.