Patent Description:
In many information and communication technology systems, network-connected electronic devices are deployed in locations where a local electric power source is not available. With the proliferation of the Internet of Things ("IoT"), autonomous driving, fifth generation ("<NUM>") cellular service and the like, it is anticipated that network-connected electronic devices will be deployed at locations that lack a conventional electric power source with increasing frequency.

There are a number of ways to provide electric power to such remote network-connected electronic devices. For example, the local electric utility company can install a connection to the electric power grid. This approach, however, is typically both expensive and time-consuming, and unsuitable for many applications. Composite power-data cables can also be used to power remote network-connected electronic devices and provide data connectivity thereto over a single cabling connection. Composite power-data cables refer to cables that can transmit both electrical power and data. Power-over Ethernet ("PoE") cables are one type of composite power-data cable. However, PoE technology has limitations in terms of both data communication throughput and the amount of power delivered, and these limitations become more restrictive the greater the distance between the remote network-connected electronic device and the PoE source. For example, under current PoE standards, high throughput data communications is only supported for cable lengths of up to about <NUM> meters, and even at these short distances the power delivery capacity is only about <NUM> Watts. Power-plus fiber cables are another example of a type of composite power-data cable that includes both power conductors and optical fibers within a common cable jacket. Power-plus-fiber cables, however, can be prohibitively expensive to install for many applications. Other known types of composite power-data cables include coaxial cables, telephone twisted pair cables with remote power feeding on some pairs and direct subscriber line (DSL) data on other pairs or with both power and DSL on the same pairs, and composite cables having larger conductors (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> AWG) for power transmission and smaller gauge twisted pairs for data transmission.

The prior art document <CIT> discloses a peer-to-peer approach for the transfer of electrical power between devices. A communications link is used for negotiation of the details of a desired power-supply transaction between a power-supplying device and a power-receiving device and, when the transaction details are settled, a power supply link is used for implementing the agreed transfer of power.

The present invention provides a power and data connectivity micro grid according to independent claim <NUM>. Advantageous optional developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims and outlined herein.

Optionally, the power and data connectivity micro grid may further include a third splice enclosure coupled along the first composite power-data cable between the first splice enclosure and the first power sourcing equipment device. The power input port and the data input port of the third splice enclosure may be coupled to the first power port and the first data port of the first power sourcing equipment device via a segment of the first composite power-data cable, and the power output port and the data output port of the third splice enclosure may be coupled to the power input port and the data input port of the first splice enclosure, respectively.

The power and data connectivity micro grid may further include a second power sourcing equipment device having a third power port and a third data port, the second power sourcing equipment device configured to deliver a DC power signal to the third power port. In such embodiments, the power and data connectivity micro grid may also include a third composite power-data cable coupled between the third power port and the third data port of the second power sourcing equipment device and the power output port and the data output port of the first splice enclosure.

Optionally, the power and data connectivity micro grid may further include a first remote powered device that is coupled to a local power port and a local data port of the first remote distribution node.

Optionally, less than all of the optical fibers included in the first composite power-data cable may be coupled to the first remote distribution node.

Optionally, the first composite power-data cable may comprise a power-plus-fiber cable that includes a plurality of segments, where each segment includes a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of pairs of power conductors, and where some of the segments include more optical fibers than other of the segments. Similarly, some of the segments may include more pairs of power conductors than other of the segments.

Optionally, the power tap port and the data tap port of the second splice enclosure may be coupled to a power input port and a data input port of the second remote distribution node, respectively.

The power and data connectivity micro grid may further include a fourth splice enclosure coupled along the second composite power-data cable between the first power sourcing equipment device and the second remote distribution node. The power and data connectivity micro grid further includes a third composite power-data cable that extends adj acent the second composite power-data cable between the first power sourcing equipment device and a fifth splice enclosure.

Optionally, the power and data connectivity micro grid may further include a sixth splice enclosure coupled to a third power port and a third data port of the first power sourcing equipment device via a fourth composite power-data cable, the sixth splice enclosure including a power input port and a data input port that are coupled to the third power port and the third data port of the first power sourcing equipment device, respectively, a power output port and a data output port, a first power tap port and a first data tap port that are coupled to a third remote distribution node and a second power tap port and a second data tap port that are coupled to a fourth remote distribution node.

The power and data connectivity micro grid may further include a seventh splice enclosure coupled between the third power port and the third data port of the first power sourcing equipment device and the sixth splice enclosure.

Optionally, the first composite power-data cable may include both power conductors and optical fibers.

Optionally, the first remote distribution node may be configured to step down a voltage of a DC power signal received at the power input port of the first remote distribution node and to output a lower voltage DC power signal through a local power port of the first remote distribution node.

Optionally, respective voltage levels of the DC power signals output at the first power port and the second power port of the first power sourcing equipment device may each exceed <NUM> volts.

Cellular data traffic has increased by about <NUM>,<NUM> percent over the last decade, and is expected to continue increasing at a rate of over <NUM>% per year for at least the next several years. Cellular operators are beginning to deploy <NUM> cellular networks in an effort to support the increased cellular data traffic with better coverage and reduced latency. One expected change in the cellular architecture that is anticipated with the deployment of <NUM> networks is a rapid increase in the number of so-called small cell base stations that are deployed. Generally speaking, a "small cell" base station refers to an operator-controlled, low-power radio access node that operates in the licensed spectrum and/or that operates in the unlicensed spectrum but provides operator-grade WiFi connectivity. The term "small cell" encompasses microcells, picocells, femtocells and metrocells that support communications with fixed and mobile subscribers that are within between about <NUM> meters and <NUM>-<NUM> meters of the small cell base station depending on the type of small cell used. The term small cell generally does not encompass in-building solutions such as distributed antenna systems that are typically implemented as part of the macrocell layer of a cellular network.

Small cell base stations are typically deployed within the coverage area of a base station of the macrocell network, and the small cell base stations are used to provide increased throughput in high traffic areas within the macrocell. This approach allows the macrocell base station to be used to provide coverage over a wide area, with the small cell base stations supporting much of the capacity requirements in high traffic areas within the macrocell. In heavily-populated urban and suburban areas, it is anticipated that more than ten small cells will be deployed within a typical <NUM> macrocell in order to support the increased throughput requirements. As small cell base stations have limited range, they must be located in close proximity to users, which typically requires that the small cell base stations be located outdoors, often on publicly-owned land such as along streets. Typical outdoor locations for small cell base stations include lamp posts, utility poles, street signs and the like, which are locations that either do not include an electric power source, or include a power source that is owned and operated by an entity other than the cellular network operator. A typical small cell base station may require between <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> Watts of power. As small cell base stations are deployed in large numbers, providing electric power to the small cell base station locations represents a significant challenge.

When deploying a new macrocell base station, a cellular operator will typically work with the local electric utility company to arrange to have alternating current ("AC") power provided to the site from the local electric power grid. While this process may be both time-consuming and expensive, the time required to plan, build and deploy a new macrocell base station may be as long as two years, allowing sufficient time for coordinating with the electric utility company, obtaining necessary permitting from local government agencies, and then having the local electric utility company deploy the connection to the electric power grid in order to deliver power to the site. Moreover, the cost associated with providing power to the macrocell base station, which may be on the order of $<NUM>,<NUM> to $<NUM>,<NUM>, can readily be absorbed by a macrocell base station that serves thousands of users. Thus providing electric power to macrocell base stations has not raised major issues for cellular network operators. Unfortunately, however, the model for delivering electric power to macrocell base stations does not work well with small cell deployments, where the cellular network operator typically needs to deploy small cell base stations quickly and in a cost-effective manner. In order to meet these goals, cellular operators require a repeatable process for delivering electric power to small cell base station locations that preferably does not require involvement of third parties such as electric utility companies.

One solution that has been proposed for powering small cell base stations is the use of the above-mentioned composite power-data cables. Composite power-data cables allow a cellular network operator to deploy a single cable between a hub and a small cell base station that provides both electric power and backhaul connectivity to the small cell base station. The hub may be, for example, a central office, a macro cell base station or some other network operator owned site that is connected to the electric power grid. All cellular base stations must have some sort of backhaul connection to the core network, and with small cell base stations the backhaul connection is typically implemented as a fiber optic cabling connection. Since the cellular network operator already would typically deploy a fiber optic cable to a new small cell base station installation, changing the fiber optic cable to a power-plus-fiber cable provides a relatively low cost solution for also providing an electric power connection to the new small cell base station, particularly as the installation costs associated with installing a new cabling connection between a hub and the new small cell base station will typically exceed, and often far exceed, the additional cost associated with adding power conductors to the fiber optic cable. For example, the incremental cost of deploying (installing) a power-plus-fiber cable as compared to deploying a fiber optic cable is less than $<NUM>/foot, while the cost of deploying cables in the outside plant are on the order of $<NUM>/ foot to $<NUM>/foot in typical installations. Moreover, in urban areas - which is one of the most common locations where new small cell base stations are being deployed - the cables often must be installed underground beneath concrete or asphalt surfaces. In such environments, the installation costs can be as high as $<NUM>-<NUM>/foot or even more.

While using composite power-data cables may be an improvement over more conventional solutions for powering small cell base stations and other remote network-connected devices, deploying long composite power-data cables can be expensive and time-consuming, and hence may not be a completely satisfactory solution. As such, new techniques for providing backhaul and power connectivity to <NUM> small cell base stations and other remote network-connected device are needed.

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, power and data connectivity micro grids are provided for information and communication technology infrastructure including small cell base stations. These power and data connectivity micro grids may be owned and controlled by cellular network operators which allows the cellular network operators to more quickly and less expensively provide power and data connectivity (backhaul) to new small cell base stations. The power and data connectivity micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention may be cost-effectively deployed by over-provisioning the power sourcing equipment and cables that are installed to provide power and data connectivity to new installations such as new small cell base station installations.

The power and data connectivity micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention may include a network of composite power-data cables that are used to distribute electric power and data connectivity throughout a defined region. These micro grids may be deployed in high density areas, which is where most <NUM> small cell base stations will need to be deployed. Each micro grid may include a network of composite power-data cables that extend throughout a geographic area. The network of composite power-data cables (and the sourcing equipment supplying the network of composite power-data cables with power and data capacity) may be designed to have power and data capacity far exceeding the capacity requirements of existing nodes along the micro grid. Because such excess capacity is provided, when new remote network-connected devices are installed in the vicinity of a micro grid, composite power-data cables can be routed from tap points along the micro grid to the location of the new remote network-connected device (e.g., a new small cell base station). The newly installed composite power-data cables may themselves be over-provisioned and additional tap points may be provided along the new composite power-data cabling connections so that each new installation may act to further extend the footprint of the micro grid. In this fashion, cellular network operators may incrementally establish their own power and data connectivity micro grids throughout high density areas, which means that when new small cell base stations, WiFi access points or other remote powered devices are deployed, they will often be in close proximity to at least one tap point along the micro grid. In many cases, the only additional cabling that will be required to power such new base stations is a relatively short composite power-data cable that connects the new small cell base station to an existing tap point of the micro grid. Moreover, by over-provisioning some or all of the newly-installed composite power-data cables, the micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention may naturally grow throughout high density areas allowing network operators to quickly and inexpensively add new infrastructure to their networks. Optionally, the composite power-data cables may be implemented as power-plus-fiber cables, as such cables have significant power and data transmission capacity. However, other composite power-data cables (e.g., coaxial cables) may additionally and/or alternatively be used.

Optionally, the power delivery component of the power and data connectivity micro grids may comprise a low voltage, direct current ("DC") power grid. Optionally, the DC power signals that are distributed over the micro grid may have a voltage that is higher than the (AC) voltages used in most electric utility power distribution systems (e.g., <NUM> V or <NUM> V AC), which may help reduce power loss, but the voltage may be lower than <NUM> V DC so as to qualify as a low voltage DC voltage under current standards promulgated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). For example, the micro grid may carry a <NUM> V DC power signal (or some other DC voltage greater than <NUM>-<NUM> V and less than <NUM> V). Tap points may be installed along the composite power-data cables. Optionally, the tap points may comprise intelligent remote distribution nodes that include a gated pass-through power bus that allows for daisy chain operation and/or splitting of the power signal, as well as one or more local ports that may be used to power remote powered devices that are co-located with the intelligent remote distribution node or in close proximity thereto. When a new composite power-data cable is installed, one or more unused intelligent remote distribution nodes may be pre-installed along the composite power-data cable to serve as tap points for information and communication infrastructure that is deployed in the future. Alternatively, the tap points may comprise splice enclosures that are installed along the composite power-data cables. These splice enclosures may be similar to conventional fiber optic splice enclosures and may include terminations for both the optical fibers and power conductors of the composite power-data cables. The splice enclosures may provide connection points for "branch" composite power-data cables that supply power and data connectivity to existing installations that are connected to the micro grid, may include a gated pass-through power bus, and/or may act as tap points for future installations.

In some instances, multiple composite power-data cables may be deployed that run in parallel between power and data connectivity source equipment and splice enclosures and/or intelligent remote distribution nodes in order to pre-install additional power and data capacity that can be tapped into later to support future installations. In this fashion, power and data connectivity may be deployed to new installations while at the same time building out a highly over-provisioned micro grid of power and data connectivity resources that may be used to economically provide power and data connectivity to future installations. Such an approach has the potential to significantly reduce the costs of providing power and data connectivity to newly deployed equipment while also significantly reducing the time required to provide such power and data to a new installation. Alternatively, additional power sourcing equipment devices may be installed as the micro grid grows, and in some cases power and data may be fed to splice enclosures and/or intelligent remote distribution nodes from multiple power sourcing equipment devices. This may increase the number of remote powered devices that may be supported by the micro grid and may provide redundancy in the event of a fault at one of power sourcing equipment devices.

Aspects of the present invention will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to the figures, which illustrate an example not part of the claimed invention and an embodiment of the power and data connectivity micro grid according to the present invention.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating the increasing power and data connectivity needs for information and communication technology infrastructure in high density access networks. As shown in <FIG>, in an urban or suburban environment <NUM>, a telecommunications provider such as a cellular network operator may operate a central office <NUM> and a macro cell base station <NUM>. In addition, the telecommunications provider may operate a plurality of small cell base stations <NUM>, WiFi access points <NUM>, fixed wireless nodes <NUM>, active cabinets <NUM>, DSL distribution points <NUM>, security cameras <NUM> and the like. All of these installations may require DC power to operate active equipment, and most, if not all, of these installations may also require data connectivity either for backhaul connections to the central office and/or for control or monitoring purposes. As described above, it may be both expensive and time consuming to provide local power sources for these installations.

In order to reduce costs and increase the speed at which electric power and data connectivity can be deployed to remote network-connected powered devices such as the remote devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the use of power-plus-fiber cables has been proposed as a cost-effective solution for providing power and data connectivity to remote devices. For example, <CIT> discloses an approach for providing power and data connectivity to a series of remote powered devices in which power-plus-fiber cables extend from a power source to a plurality of intelligent remote distribution nodes. Each intelligent remote distribution node may include a "pass-through" port so that a plurality of remote distribution nodes may be coupled to the power source in "daisy chain" fashion. Intelligent remote powered devices may be connected to each intelligent remote distribution node and may receive power and data connectivity from the intelligent remote distribution node.

One drawback of the approach disclosed in <CIT> is that as new installations are deployed, it is necessary to install another power-plus-fiber cable that runs from the power source to the new installation. Deploying such power-plus-fiber cables can be time consuming and expensive, particularly in urban environments.

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, the power source equipment and remote distribution node approach disclosed in <CIT> may be extended so that cellular network operators may create a hard wired power and data connectivity micro grid throughout high density urban and suburban areas. As new installations (e.g., new small cell base stations, security cameras and the like) are deployed in such areas, the cellular network operator may simply tap into a nearby portion of the micro grid to obtain power and data connectivity without any need to run cabling connections all the way from the power and data source equipment to the new installation. The micro grid according to the embodiment of the present invention may be viewed as being akin to the backplane on a computer, as the micro grids extend throughout the area in which power and data connectivity are required and have excess power and data connectivity resources available so that new installations may simply "plug into" the micro grid at any of a large number of tap points.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM> according to an example not part of the claimed invention. As shown in <FIG>, a power sourcing equipment ("PSE") device <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided that acts as an injection point for both power and data into the power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM>. Each power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may include a plurality of power ports <NUM> and data ports <NUM>. The power ports <NUM> and the data ports <NUM> will typically be implemented as power and data connectors, respectively, but other implementations are possible. For example, the power ports <NUM> and/or the data ports <NUM> could be implemented as openings in a housing of the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> that are configured to receive the power and/or data cables <NUM>, <NUM>. Optionally, a power port <NUM> and a data port <NUM> may be implemented together as a hybrid power-data port <NUM> that includes one or more power ports <NUM> and one or more data ports <NUM> that are implemented using, for example, a single hybrid connector. Alternatively, the power ports <NUM> and the data ports <NUM> may be implemented separately (e.g., as separate connectors). In the description that follows, it will be assumed that the power ports <NUM> and the data ports <NUM> are implemented using hybrid power-data ports <NUM> for convenience, but it will be appreciated that any or all of the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> may be replaced with separate power ports <NUM> and the data ports <NUM> in other examples. Accordingly, it will be understood that herein all references to hybrid power-data ports may be replaced with references to separate power and data ports. Moreover, in some cases the data ports may be omitted.

Composite power-data cables <NUM> may be connected to each hybrid power-data port <NUM> to extend the micro grid <NUM> across a geographic region. Each composite power-data cable <NUM> may comprise, for example, a single cable that includes both power conductors and optical fibers, one or more power cables and one or more fiber optic cables that are contained together within a common jacket, one or more power cables and one or more fiber optic cables that are coupled together (e.g., by a helical wrap) or any other cable or combination of cables that include both power conductors and a separate data transmission medium that may be used to carry both DC power as well as data. Coaxial cables are another type of composite power-data cable <NUM> that can optionally be used. Additional composite power-data cables include telephone twisted pair cables with remote power feeding on some pairs and direct subscriber line (DSL) data on other pairs or with both power and DSL on the same pairs, and composite cables having larger conductors (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> AWG) for power transmission and smaller gauge twisted pairs for data transmission. The composite power-data cables <NUM> will typically be connectorized. Optionally, ends of the composite power-data cables <NUM> may include fanouts of electrical conductors and optical fibers (which may comprise single conductors/fibers or groups thereof) that are individually connectorized. Alternatively, the composite power-data cables <NUM> may be connectorized using one or more hybrid power-data connectors. When coaxial cables are used to implement the composite power-data cables, the same conductors carry both the power and data signals and suitable mechanisms may be used to inject and extract the data communication signals.

Initially, only a single power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided, and then additional power sourcing equipment devices <NUM> may be added as the micro grid <NUM> is expanded. One such additional power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> is shown with dotted lines in <FIG>. Each power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may be configured to output DC power through each hybrid power-data port <NUM> and to transmit and receive data through each hybrid power-data port <NUM>. It should be noted that like elements may be designated with the same reference numeral in this specification and in the accompanying drawings. In some case, such like elements may be assigned two part reference numerals so that the elements may be referred to individually by their full reference numerals (e.g., power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM>) or referred to collectively by the first part of their reference numeral (e.g., the power sourcing equipment devices <NUM>).

A plurality of composite power-data cables <NUM> are connected to the respective hybrid power-data ports <NUM> of the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>. As noted above, the composite power-data cables <NUM> may optionally be implemented using power-plus-fiber cables. For ease of description, in the discussion that follows, the composite power-data cables <NUM> will be described as being power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that other types of composite power-data cables <NUM> may be used and that appropriate modifications may be made to the equipment attached to the cables.

Referring again to <FIG>, each power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> may include a plurality of discrete cable segments <NUM>. Each cable segment <NUM> may be connectorized with, for example, a fanout of individual power connectors and data connectors or with one or more hybrid power-data connectors. Each cable segment <NUM> may include a plurality of optical fibers and at least a pair of electrical conductors (e.g., <NUM> AWG or <NUM> AWG copper conductors). While typically both the optical fibers and the power conductors will be contained within a common protective jacket, optionally, the power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> may be implemented as separate fiber optic and power cable that are co-installed with each other (e.g., routed through the same conduit).

As is further shown in <FIG>, a plurality of intelligent remote distribution nodes ("IRN") <NUM> may be installed along each power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>. Remote powered devices ("RPD") <NUM> such as small cell base stations, WiFi access points, fixed wireless nodes, active cabinets, DSL distribution points, security cameras and the like may be connected to respective ones of the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>. In some cases, a single remote powered device <NUM> may be connected to an intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>, while in other cases multiple remote powered devices <NUM> may be connected to the same intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>.

When a new remote powered device <NUM> is being added to the network, the network operator may install a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> that connects the new remote powered device <NUM> to a hybrid power-data port <NUM> on the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>. For example, with reference to <FIG>, the new remote powered device <NUM> may be the remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed that connects hybrid power-data port <NUM>-<NUM> on power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> to an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>. The power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be purposefully over-provisioned to include excess power and data carrying capacity. For example, the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may include twelve, twenty-four, forty-eight or more optical fibers even though the new remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM> may only require one or two optical fibers for data connectivity. Likewise, the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may include a plurality of pairs of power conductors that are capable of transmitting significantly more power than is required by the new remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM>. In addition, one or more additional intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be pre-installed along the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>, thereby dividing the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> into a plurality of cable segments <NUM>. The intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may serve as tap points where additional power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> may be added to the micro grid <NUM> to provide power and data connectivity to other installations in the future.

As is further shown in <FIG>, when another remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM> is added to the network, a pair of power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be co-installed at the same time. Power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may extend between another hybrid power-data port <NUM>-<NUM> on power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> to an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>. The power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may again be purposefully over-provisioned to include excess power and data carrying capacity, and may also have one or more additional intelligent remote distribution nodes (here node <NUM>-<NUM>) pre-installed as a future tap point between the hybrid power-data port <NUM>-<NUM> and the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>. In addition, a second power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed at the same time as power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>, even though the second power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> is not needed to support the remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM>. Power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed directly next to each other in, for example, the underground and/or aerial outside plant so that the incremental installation cost for deploying the additional power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be kept low. The additional power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may have an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> installed at the distal end thereof that may serve as a tap point for future additional power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>. The intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> may be at a relatively large distance from the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>. By pre-installing power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> at the time power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> is deployed, the need to later install power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> that extend all the way back to the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> may be avoided, because when new remote powered devices <NUM> are installed in the general vicinity of the remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM>, the pre-installed power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be used to provide power and data connectivity to such newly-installed devices <NUM> through short power-plus-fiber connections to the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>.

As will be discussed in greater detail herein, each pre-installed intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may have low voltage and/or high voltage ports. As noted above, the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may output a low voltage DC power signals (e.g., <NUM> V or some other voltage less than <NUM> V DC) onto the power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>. Since the low voltage DC power signal may be significantly higher than the DC voltages (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> V DC) used to power most information and telecommunications infrastructure equipment, the power loss along the power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> may be reduced and/or the power carrying capacity of the hybrid power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> may be increased. As will be explained in greater detail below, each intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may include a pass-through power bus that passes DC power that is received over a first power-plus-fiber cable segment <NUM> at an input port of the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> to a second power-plus-fiber cable segment <NUM> that is connected to an output port of the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>. Each intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may further include a local power bus that taps a portion of the DC power signal from the pass-through power bus. Each intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may also include step-down equipment such as a buck converter that reduces the voltage level of the tapped DC power signal to a level that is suitable for powering the remote powered devices <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> V DC). The pass-through power bus may facilitate "daisy-chaining" multiple intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> along a single power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> to support remote powered devices <NUM> at a plurality of locations. By providing intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> that have pass through power buses with multiple outputs, new branches may be deployed from an existing intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> that extend in new directions to power remote powered devices <NUM>.

Once the micro grid <NUM> has been partially deployed, the expense associated with adding additional remote powered devices <NUM> may be reduced. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the cellular network operator may initially install a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> that is used to power a pair of remote powered devices <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> via the local ports of an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>. When the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> and the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> were installed, the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> was over-provisioned with significant excess power and datacarrying capacity, and an unused intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> was installed along the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> between the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> and the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>. Thereafter, the cellular network operator may need to install additional remote powered devices <NUM> such as remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM> and/or remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM>. A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> (or other composite power-data cable) may be installed between the remoted powered device <NUM>-<NUM> and the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> to provide power and data connectivity to the remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM>. In many cases, the remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM> may be much closer to the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> than it is to the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM>. As such, significant savings may be achieved since the cellular network operator can install a relatively short power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> to connect the remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM> to the micro grid <NUM>. Remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM> may similarly be connected to the micro grid <NUM> by installing another intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> and connecting a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> between intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. The installation of intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> also advantageously serves to further expand the power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM> throughout the geographic region, which may help further reduce the cost of installing additional remote powered devices <NUM> in the future.

As is further shown in <FIG>, additional power sourcing equipment devices <NUM> such as power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> may be added to the micro grid <NUM> over time. Optionally, the power sourcing equipment devices <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be located in geographically diverse locations to reduce power losses over the power-plus-fiber cabling connections <NUM>. In addition, the second power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to some of the same intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> as is power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM>. As a result, the remote powered devices <NUM> along such power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> may be powered by either power sourcing equipment device <NUM>. This arrangement provides redundancy in case there is a failure at one of the power sourcing equipment devices <NUM> and/or one of the power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> is damaged.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM>' according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen by comparing <FIG>, the power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM>' is similar to the above-described power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM>, except that the power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM>' includes a plurality of splice enclosures <NUM>. The splice enclosures <NUM> may be installed at the locations where intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> are deployed in the power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM> of <FIG>. The splice enclosures <NUM> may comprise hardened enclosures that include splice trays for both power conductors and for optical fibers. The splice enclosures <NUM> may be installed, for example, either underground or in the aerial outdoor plant. Each splice enclosure <NUM> may further include a connectorized power input port and a connectorized data input port that are configured to receive a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>. The connectorized power input port and a connectorized data input port may be implemented as separate connectorized power and data ports or as a hybrid power-data connector. Each splice enclosure <NUM> may also include one or more connectorized power output ports and one or more connectorized data output ports (which can be implemented as separate power and data ports or as hybrid power-data ports) that are configured to receive respective power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>. Alternatively, the ports on the splice enclosures <NUM> may not be connectorized. One pair of a power output port and a data output port may be viewed as a "pass-through" ports and the remaining pairs of power and data output ports may be viewed as "tap" ports that may be used to provide power and data connectivity to individual remote network-connected devices (or co-located groups thereof). When a new remote powered device <NUM>-<NUM> such as a small cell base station is to be deployed, an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed at the site for the new small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., on a utility pole where the small cell radio <NUM>-<NUM> and antenna are mounted). A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may then be deployed between the newly-installed intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> and the closest splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> of the power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM>', and a short jumper cable (or cables) may connect the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> to the small cell radio <NUM>-<NUM>. The splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> may be designed to output high voltage DC power signals (e.g., <NUM> V DC) to each output port thereof. The intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>-<NUM> may include step-down equipment such as a buck converter that reduces the voltage level of the DC power signal delivered thereto from the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> to a level that is suitable for powering the remote powered devices <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> V DC). The intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>-<NUM> may or may not include pass-through power buses that allow daisy-chaining multiple intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>-<NUM> together.

To supply data connectivity to the newly-installed small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>, one or more of the optical fibers of power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be spliced in the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> to connect to a data tap port of the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM>. The data tap port of splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to a data input port on an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> via, for example a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> (as shown) or by a separate optical jumper cable. Electrical and optical paths in the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> may connect the power conductors and optical fibers of power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> to a local power port and a local data port, respectively, of the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>. The local power and data ports of the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> are connected to the small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM> via, for example, separate power and optical jumper cables. In this fashion, the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> and the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> may provide power and data connectivity to the small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>.

The architecture of power and data connectivity micro grid <NUM>' may be advantageous because the splice enclosures <NUM> may be relatively inexpensive since they may include significantly less technology than an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>, and hence a plurality of splice enclosures <NUM> may be installed along a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> at relatively low cost. The splice enclosures <NUM> may provide a plurality of tap points along each power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> providing numerous locations where the cellular network operator may tap into the micro grid <NUM>' to provide power and data connectivity for future installations.

While the discussion above of <FIG> describes an example and an embodiment where an optical fiber data connection is provided to each remote powered device <NUM>, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, in some cases, Power over Ethernet ("PoE") cables (or coaxial cables) may be used to provide power and data from an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> to a remote powered device <NUM>. PoE cables may be particularly useful in situations where the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> are installed in close proximity to relatively low power remote powered devices <NUM>. A security camera is a good example of a remote powered device <NUM> that would typically be powered via a PoE cable rather than a power-plus fiber cable, so long as the security camera was close enough to the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> that PoE power delivery could be used. Additionally, while the description above assumes that the composite power-data cables <NUM> are implemented as power-plus-fiber cables, it will be appreciated that alternatively other types of composite power-data cables <NUM>, such as coaxial cables, may be used.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram illustrating a power source installation <NUM> that may be used to implement the power sourcing equipment devices <NUM> of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the power source installation <NUM> may include a local power source <NUM> and a power sourcing equipment device <NUM> that includes a plurality of hybrid power-data ports <NUM> (or, alternatively, separate power ports and data ports, as discussed above). The power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may comprise one or more transformers, converters and/or power conditioners that convert AC or DC supplied power received from the local power source <NUM> into DC power that is provided at the hybrid power-data ports <NUM>. The power source installation <NUM> may also have connections to a telecommunications network <NUM> such as, for example, a core network of the cellular network operator. In some case, the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may be located at a central office or other data distribution node of the cellular operator where a connection is available to the core network <NUM>. In other cases, the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may be located closer to the micro grid and connected to the core network <NUM> via, for example, fiber optic cabling connections.

The local power source <NUM> will typically comprise a connection to utilityprovided AC power, although other local power sources may be used. The power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may include AC-DC power conversion equipment <NUM> that converts the AC power into a plurality of DC power signals that may be output through the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> (or through separate power data ports). Optionally, the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may further include a boost converter <NUM> that steps of the voltage of the DC power signals to a desired level such as, for example, <NUM> V. In some cases, the stepped up voltage level may be between <NUM>-<NUM> V DC. Increasing the voltage of the DC power signal reduces the current levels, which may reduce I<NUM>R power losses as the power signals are delivered over cabling connections <NUM> to the remote powered devices <NUM>.

The power sourcing equipment device <NUM> further includes a power injector and port control bus <NUM> that is coupled to the output of the boost converter <NUM> or the output of the AC-DC conversion equipment <NUM> if the boost converter <NUM> is not included on the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>. The power injector and port control bus <NUM> may be configured to selectively inject DC power onto the electrical conductor pairs included in the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> in order to inject DC power onto the power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> that are connected to the respective hybrid power-data ports <NUM> (or through separate power data ports). A power management system <NUM> may also be part of the power source installation <NUM>, and may be internal or external to the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>. The power management system <NUM> manages power delivery to the remote power devices <NUM> by enabling and disabling the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> of the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>.

The power sourcing equipment device <NUM> further includes a plurality of data ports <NUM> that may be coupled to the core network <NUM> of the cellular network operator. Data may be transferred between the core network <NUM> and the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> via the data ports <NUM>. The data ports <NUM> may comprise, for example, fiber optic connectors. However, the data ports <NUM> may alternatively and/or additionally comprise electrical connectors, wireless links or the like. The data ports <NUM> may be coupled to the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> (or to individual data ports if the hybrid ports <NUM> are replaced with separate power and data ports) through, for example, the power injector and port control bus <NUM>.

The power source installation <NUM> may be configured to control the delivery of power to each of the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> as well as to control the transfer of data between the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> and the core network <NUM>. In the depicted arrangement, the power injector and port control bus <NUM> is configured to control both the delivery of power to the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> and the transfer of data between the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> and the data ports <NUM>. In such arrangements, the power injector and port control bus <NUM> may include, for example, one or more optical switches. In other arrangements, different control units may control the delivery of power to the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> and the transfer of data between the hybrid power-data ports <NUM> and the data ports <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> that may be used in the power and data connectivity micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> that are discussed above with reference to <FIG> may be implemented using the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> of <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may include an input port <NUM>, a uni-directional or bi-directional DC-to-DC converter <NUM>, a local power bus <NUM>, a plurality of local ports <NUM> and a data distribution module <NUM>. The input port <NUM> and the local ports <NUM> may be implemented as hybrid power-data ports or as individual power and data ports. The intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may be configured to receive power and data from an external source (e.g., from a power sourcing equipment device <NUM> or from a splice enclosure <NUM> via a composite power-data cable) and to deliver the received power and data in a suitable format to one or more remote powered devices <NUM>.

Optionally, each intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may receive a low voltage DC power signal such as, for example, a <NUM> V DC power signal. The DC power signal may be received at the input port <NUM>. The input port <NUM> may optionally comprise, for example, a hybrid power-data connector that receives a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>. The power conductors of the input port <NUM> may be coupled to the DC-to-DC converter <NUM>. If the DC-to-DC converter <NUM> is a bi-directional DC-to-DC converter, it may operate as a buck converter with respect to power signals received from the input port <NUM> and may operate as a boost converter with respect to power signals that are passed from the DC-to-DC converter <NUM> to the input port <NUM>. The DC-to-DC converter <NUM> is coupled to a local power bus <NUM> that receives stepped-down power signals from the DC-to-DC converter <NUM> and which can also deliver stepped-up power signals to the DC-to-DC converter <NUM>. The local power bus <NUM> may be coupled to one or more of the local ports <NUM> that act as tap ports. Each local port <NUM> may be connected to a remote powered device <NUM> to provide DC power and data connectivity to such devices <NUM>.

The input port <NUM> may also include data paths that connect to data carrying elements of any composite power-data cable <NUM> connected to the input port <NUM>. The data paths of the input port <NUM> may be coupled to the data distribution module <NUM>. The data distribution module <NUM> may include a switching unit and appropriate media conversion equipment so that the data distribution module <NUM> may exchange data between the local ports <NUM> in a suitable format. The data distribution module <NUM> may or may not convert data before forwarding the data to a local port <NUM> or to the input port <NUM>.

Optionally, each local port <NUM> may be implemented as a conventional DC power port <NUM> that receives DC power directly from the local power bus <NUM> and a separate fiber optic port <NUM> that exchanges optical data with the data distribution module <NUM>. Separate power and fiber optic jumper cables may be used to connect the DC power port <NUM> and the fiber optic port <NUM> to a remote powered device <NUM>.

Alternatively, the local power ports <NUM> may comprise PoE ports <NUM>. The local power bus <NUM> may include PoE equipment and may deliver power in a suitable format to the local PoE ports <NUM> so that the remote powered device <NUM> may be powered over an Ethernet cable that extends between the local port <NUM> and a remoted powered device <NUM>. The data distribution module <NUM> may include optical-to-Ethernet and Ethernet-to-optical interfaces that convert the data received over the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> into Ethernet format for transmission over the Ethernet cable coupled to local port <NUM> and that convert the data received at local port <NUM> from the remote powered device <NUM> into an optical signal that may be transmitted through the input port <NUM> back to the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>.

Alternatively, the local power port(s) <NUM> may comprise hybrid power-data ports that are connected to remote powered devices <NUM> via respective power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> that includes various different types <NUM>/<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM> of local ports <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may only include a single local port <NUM>, may include only a single type of local port <NUM>, or alternatively may include various combinations of different types of local ports <NUM>. It will also be appreciated that other different types of local ports <NUM> may alternatively be included.

As is further shown in <FIG>, the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may further include an energy storage device <NUM> such as a battery and may also include a renewable energy device <NUM> such as solar cells, a turbine or the like. A energy storage and management system <NUM> may be included in the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> that may control operation of the energy storage device <NUM> and any renewable energy device <NUM>. For example, if a power sourcing equipment device <NUM> fails, the energy storage and management system <NUM> may control the energy storage device <NUM> and/or the renewable energy device <NUM> to deliver power to the local power bus <NUM> and from the local power bus <NUM> to the bi-directional DC-to-DC converter <NUM>, and may control the bi-directional DC-to-DC converter <NUM> to step-up the voltage of the power received from the energy storage device <NUM> and any renewable energy device <NUM> so that a higher voltage DC power signal may be output through the input port <NUM> to power other remote powered devices <NUM> in the micro grid <NUM>.

The intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> further includes a node controller <NUM> that may control overall operation of the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>. While in most cases the intelligent remote distribution nodes according to embodiments of the present invention may distribute both power and data, it will be appreciated that in some applications the intelligent remote distribution nodes may only be used to distribute power, either because a remote powered device does not require data connectivity or because the remote powered device has data connectivity through a different mechanism (e.g., a wireless link).

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of another intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>' that may be used in the power and data connectivity micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention. As can be seen, the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>' may be identical to the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> except that intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>' further includes a pass-through power and data bus <NUM> and an output port <NUM>. The output port <NUM> may be implemented as a hybrid power-data port or as a separate power output port and a data output port. The intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>' may be suitable for use in the power and data micro grid <NUM> discussed above with reference to <FIG>. It will also be appreciated that any of the intelligent remote distribution nodes disclosed in <CIT> may be used to implement the intelligent remote distribution nodes included in the power and data connectivity micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating how a power and data connectivity micro grid according to embodiments of the present invention may be incrementally formed as part of the regular expansion of a communications network. It should be noted that in <FIG>, intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> would be installed at (or near) each remote powered device. The intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> are not shown in <FIG> to simplify the drawings, but it will be understood that the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> are considered to be present and connected between the splice enclosures <NUM> and the various remote powered devices.

Referring first to <FIG>, a cellular network operator may initially have a central office <NUM> and a macrocell base station <NUM> located in a high density area. AC power from the electric utility grid may be available at both of these locations. Conventionally, as the cellular network operator would add new installations within the area shown, electrical power connections would be provided for each such new installation along with a backhaul connection to the core network. The electric power connections might be a local connection to the electric power grid or a power-plus-fiber cable that provided both electric power and data connectivity to the new installation.

Referring next to <FIG>, the cellular network operator may later add a new remote powered device to the network such as a small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a power-plus-fiber cabling connection <NUM> is provided between a power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> and the small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> is located at the central office <NUM>, although it will be appreciated that the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> may be located at any suitable location. A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> is routed from the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> to the small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>. The power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be over provisioned to include far more power and data carrying capacity than is required to support the small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>. Additionally, splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed along the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> to provide tap points in the micro grid where additional power-plus-fiber cables <NUM> may be attached in the future to provide power and data connectivity to network-connected powered devices <NUM> that are installed near power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> in the future.

Referring next to <FIG>, the cellular network operator may later deploy two additional small cell base stations <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. Instead of installing an additional power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> between each new small cell base stations <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM>, a second power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed between the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> and the small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>. Two additional splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed along the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>. A third power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed between the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> and the third small cell base station <NUM>-<NUM>, and a fifth splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed along the third power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>. In this fashion, power and data connectivity may be deployed to the small cell base stations <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, using short power-plus-fiber cables <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> that may be quickly and inexpensively be deployed, and additional splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed that mat act as tap points for future installations.

<FIG> illustrates how the power and data micro grid may be further built out while providing power to additional new installations in the vicinity of the micro grid. As shown in <FIG>, a pair of fixed wireless access points <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may later be installed. Power and data connectivity are provided to the fixed wireless access points <NUM> by deploying a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> from the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> to the fixed wireless access node <NUM>-<NUM>. Power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> is routed so that it also runs by fixed wireless access node <NUM>-<NUM>, and a splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> is installed on power-plus-cable <NUM>-<NUM> at that location so that power and data connectivity may be provided to fixed wireless access node <NUM>-<NUM>. Additional splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are installed along power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> to facilitate later expansion of the micro grid.

As is further shown in <FIG>, thereafter a DSL distribution point <NUM> may be installed to provide DSL service to a plurality of homes. The DSL distribution point <NUM> may be connected to the power and data connectivity micro grid by installing a short power-plus-fiber cable (not shown) between the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> and the DSL distribution point <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, thereafter an active cabinet <NUM> may be connected to the power and data connectivity micro grid by installing a short power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> between the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> and the active cabinet <NUM>. A security camera <NUM> may also be installed and connected to the micro grid <NUM> by installing a new splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> adjacent the security camera <NUM> and installing a new power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> that extends between splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> and splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM>. Additionally, a second power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed at the macro cell base station <NUM>. A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed that connects a first hybrid power-fiber port on power sourcing equipment <NUM>-<NUM> to splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM>. Connecting the second power sourcing equipment device <NUM>-<NUM> to splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> allows double the power capacity to be delivered to splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> at the edge of the micro grid. Additionally, feeding a splice enclosure <NUM> from two different power sourcing equipment devices <NUM> allows configuring power delivery to the powered remote devices <NUM> so that power loss is reduced (by feeding devices over the power cabling connection that has the lower cumulative resistance) and also provides redundancy in the event of a power outage or equipment malfunction at one of the two power sourcing equipment devices <NUM>. While not shown in <FIG>, additional splice enclosures <NUM> may be installed along power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> that serve as future tap points.

<FIG> are schematic drawings illustrating how the power and data connectivity micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention may support different types of remote powered devices.

Referring first to <FIG>, a scenario is depicted in which several small cell base stations <NUM> are connected to a power and data connectivity micro grid according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, three small cell base stations <NUM> may be deployed within the coverage area of a macrocell base station <NUM>. A power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may be installed at the macrocell base station <NUM> or at any other suitable sight. The macrocell base station <NUM> may be a particularly convenient location as an AC power source, cabinetry and backhaul equipment are all located at macrocell base stations. As shown in <FIG>, a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to, for example, a hybrid power-data port <NUM> on the power sourcing equipment device <NUM>. The power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be deployed so that it extends near each of the small cell base stations <NUM>. Splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed along the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>. Each small cell base station <NUM> may include a remote radio head and a base station antenna (not shown) that are co-mounted on a raised structure such as a utility pole, sign, antenna tower or the like. A respective intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may be mounted on the raised structure adjacent each remote radio head. A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> may be routed from each respective splice enclosure <NUM> to a respective one of the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>. Each intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may down-convert the voltage of the DC power signal received over the respective power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> to a suitable voltage for powering the remote radio head, which may be connected to the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> via, for example, a power jumper cable and a fiber optic jumper cable.

The power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> is connected to the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM>. One or more of the optical fibers that are included in power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to a tap port of the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> (i.e., the port that connects to power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>), while the remaining optical fibers may be connected to a pass-through port of the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> (i.e., the port that is connected to the segment of power-plus-cable <NUM>-<NUM> that extends between splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> and splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM>). The optical fibers may be divided and routed differently in a fiber optic splice tray included within the splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM>. Likewise, a power conductor splice tray may be included within splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> that divides the electric power input thereto between the tap port and the output port.

<FIG> schematically illustrates how a pair of fixed wireless access nodes <NUM> may be connected to a power and data connectivity micro grid according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, a power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may be installed at the macrocell base station <NUM> or at any other suitable sight. A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> and may be deployed so that it extends near each of the fixed wireless access nodes <NUM>. Splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed along the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>. Each fixed wireless access node <NUM> may include a radio and an antenna (not shown) that are co-mounted on a raised structure such as a utility pole, sign, antenna tower or the like. A respective intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may be mounted on the raised structure adjacent each radio. A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> may be routed from each splice enclosure <NUM> to a respective one of the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>. Each intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may down-convert the voltage of the DC power signal received over the respective power-plus-fiber cable <NUM> to a suitable voltage for powering the radio, which may be connected to the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> via a power jumper cable.

<FIG> schematically illustrates how a pair of WiFi access points <NUM> and cameras <NUM> may be connected to a power and data connectivity micro grid according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, a power sourcing equipment device <NUM> may be installed at the macrocell base station <NUM> or at any other suitable sight. A power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to the power sourcing equipment device <NUM> and may be deployed so that it extends near each of the WiFi access points <NUM> and cameras <NUM>. Splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM> may be installed along the power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>. Intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> are co-located at splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may convert the power signals received from respective splice enclosures <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> into PoE power signals and may convert the optical data into Ethernet format and transmit the data over respective PoE cables to the camera <NUM>-<NUM> and the WiFi access point <NUM>-<NUM>. Splice enclosure <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to a tower-mounted intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM> via a power-plus-fiber cable <NUM>-<NUM>. The camera <NUM>-<NUM> and the WiFi access point <NUM>-<NUM> may each be connected to local ports on intelligent remote distribution node <NUM>-<NUM>.

Each intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may be configured to handle a rated amount of power. For example, an intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may be rated to deliver up to <NUM> Watts of power to a connected remote powered device <NUM>. The power conversion efficiency of the DC-to-DC converter included in the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may be a function of the power drawn by the remote powered device <NUM>. The intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> may be designed, for example, to achieve peak power conversion efficiency when their converters are operating at the peak rated power delivery for the remote powered device (e.g., <NUM> Watts in this example).

In practice, many remote powered devices draw varying levels of power. For example, a small cell base station may draw peak power during periods of heavy usage (e.g., during rush hour, lunch time, etc.) but may draw significantly lower levels of power at other times (e.g., at night). As such, the power converters in the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> may often not provide peak power conversion efficiency. While the reduction in power conversion efficiency often is relatively small (e.g., from <NUM>% to <NUM>%), amount of power drawn over the power and data micro grids according to embodiments of the present invention may be quite large, and hence even small reductions in power conversion efficiency can result in large increases in the operating expenses for the cellular network operator. As discussed above with reference to <FIG>, optionally, the intelligent remote distribution nodes <NUM> may include an energy storage device that may allow the intelligent remote distribution nodes to operate at peak power conversion efficiency a greater percentage of the time.

Referring again to <FIG>, during times when a connected remote powered device <NUM> is drawing less than the full rated power for the DC-to-DC converter <NUM>, the excess power generated by the DC-to-DC converter <NUM> may be used to charge the energy storage device <NUM> (so long as the energy storage device <NUM> is not fully charged). Then, in situations where the remote powered device <NUM> draws more power than the DC-to-DC converter <NUM> can output, the energy storage device <NUM> may augment the power provided by the DC-to-DC converter <NUM> to meet the power requirements of the remote powered device <NUM>. Since the DC-to-DC converter <NUM> can be run at peak efficiency anytime the remote powered device <NUM> draws power in excess of the rated capacity of the DC-to-DC converter <NUM>, as well as any time the energy storage device <NUM> is being recharged, the intelligent remote distribution node <NUM> may operate, on average, at high power conversion levels, reducing a cellular network operators operating expenses. The energy storage device <NUM> may also provide backup power during power black outs.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment; rather, this embodiment is intended to fully and completely disclose the invention to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some elements may not be to scale.

As used herein the expression "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that features illustrated with one example or embodiment above can be incorporated into any of the other examples or embodiments. Thus, it will be appreciated that the disclosed example and embodiment may be combined in any way to provide many additional embodiments.

Claim 1:
A power and data connectivity micro grid, comprising:
a local power supply;
a first power sourcing equipment device (<NUM>-<NUM>) having a first power port (<NUM>), a second power port (<NUM>), a first data port (<NUM>) and a second data port (<NUM>), the first power sourcing equipment device (<NUM>-<NUM>) coupled to the local power supply and configured to deliver respective direct current, DC, power signals to the first power port (<NUM>) and the second power port (<NUM>);
a first remote distribution node (<NUM>-<NUM>);
a second remote distribution node (<NUM>-<NUM>);
a first splice enclosure (<NUM>-<NUM>) having a power input port, a data input port, a power tap port, a data tap port, a power output port and a data output port;
a second splice enclosure (<NUM>-<NUM>) having a power input port, a data input port, a power tap port, a data tap port, a power output port and a data output port;
a first composite power-data cable (<NUM>-<NUM>) coupled between the first power port (<NUM>) and the first data port (<NUM>) of the first power sourcing equipment device (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the power input port and the data input port of the first splice enclosure (<NUM>-<NUM>); and
a second composite power-data cable (<NUM>-<NUM>) coupled between the second power port (<NUM>) and the second data port (<NUM>) of the first power sourcing equipment device (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the power input port and the data input port of the second splice enclosure (<NUM>-<NUM>);
wherein the power tap port and the data tap port of the first splice enclosure (<NUM>-<NUM>) are coupled to a power input port and a data input port of the first remote distribution node (<NUM>-<NUM>), respectively, and
wherein the power tap port and the data tap port of the second splice enclosure (<NUM>-<NUM>) are coupled to a power input port and a data input port of the second remote distribution node (<NUM>-<NUM>), respectively.