US20160124175A1

US20160124175A1 - Apparatus for fiber-to-the-premises and network system thereof

Info

Publication number: US20160124175A1
Application number: US14/993,323
Authority: US
Inventors: Wladyslaw Czosnowski; Daniel Hendrickson
Original assignee: OFS Fitel LLC
Current assignee: OFS Fitel LLC
Priority date: 2014-07-15
Filing date: 2016-01-12
Publication date: 2016-05-05
Also published as: US9568701B2; US20160018616A1; US20160018615A1

Abstract

Splitter housings suitable for a rapid deployment of an FTTX network system are disclosed. For some embodiments, a splitter housing splits one of many input optical fibers to a plurality of output optical fibers and keeps the rest of input optical fibers for future network expansion. For other embodiments, a splitter housing splits one of many input optical fibers to a plurality of output optical fibers and terminates the rest of input optical fibers at an output multi-fiber connector port. For network system embodiments, two or more splitter housings are optically connected in series to deploy a FTTX network system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 14/633,191, filed 2015 Feb. 27, having the title “PLUG-AND-PLAY OPTICAL FIBER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM,” which is owned by the assignee of this application, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The co-pending patent application Ser. No. 14/633,191 claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/024,582, filed 2014 Jul. 15, having the title “Outside Plant Cable Distribution System”; U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/026,847, filed 2014 Jul. 21, having the title “Outside Plant Cable Distribution System”; U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/041,249, filed 2014 Aug. 25, having the title “Duraline Future Path Aerial With Pulling Tape”; U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/043,016, filed 2014 Aug. 28, having the title “Duraline Future Path Aerial With Pulling Tape”; and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/056,805, filed 2014 Sep. 29, having the title “Plug and Play FTTX Route”, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to cable distribution and, more particularly, to fiber-optic cable distribution system.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical fiber-based systems are playing a larger role in data communications as customer demand for data capacity increases. For example, fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) systems permit direct optical connections to the home or other premises, thereby providing greater access to data at the premises. Consequently, there are ongoing efforts to improve FTTX systems as customer demands for data continue to increase.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a splitter housing for FTTX network systems that offer fiber-optic connections to customer premises. For some embodiments, a splitter housing splits one of many input optical fibers to a plurality of output optical fibers and keep the rest of input optical fibers for future network expansion. For other embodiments, a splitter housing splits one of many input optical fibers to a plurality of output optical fibers and terminates the rest of input optical fibers at an output multi-fiber connector port. For network system embodiments, two or more splitter housings are optically connected in series to deploy an FTTX network system. Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a typical fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) optical fiber distribution system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an invented optical fiber distribution system, which has a cable combiner and two splitter housings.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the cable combiner.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the splitter module without a cover.

FIG. 5a-c are diagrams showing another embodiments of the splitter module.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a splitter housing.

FIG. 7 a-b are diagrams showing another embodiment of the splitter housing.

FIG. 8 a-b are diagrams showing yet another embodiment of the splitter housing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a typical cable TV distribution system for transmitting cable TV signals.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an invented cable TV distribution system, which is substantially free from copper cables.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing yet another embodiment of the splitter housing.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing one embodiment of inventive FTTX network system using the splitter housing show in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fiber-optic networks are playing a larger role in data communications as customer demand for data capacity increases. Lately, there have been increasing demands for fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) systems, which permit direct optical connections to the home or other premises.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical FTTX optical fiber distribution system of an optical fiber network. Such network generally utilizes electronics and lasers located in the Central Office (CO) 100 to provide service to multiple customers over one or more optical fibers. A feeder cable 101 extending from the CO 100 has at least one optical fiber. The feeder cable 101 leaving the CO 100 is routed to a splitter cabinet 102 at a geographically convenient location. Typically, the location is near the customer service area. However, because the splitter cabinet 102 is bulky and takes large space, such geographically convenient locations are very limited, and therefore, the splitter cabinet 102 is usually placed near the entrance of a subdivision or in the basement of a commercial building or multi-dwelling units.
The optical signal reaching the splitter cabinet 102 is often subsequently routed through an optical splitter (not shown) within the splitter cabinet 102. The optical splitter splits input signal carried by one fiber into “n” output signals carried by “n” fibers. Splitters are typically referred to as 1×n where “n” represents the number of output optical fibers or “ports” that come out from the optical splitter. Each output port of the splitter may be terminated with a connector and can provide full service to a subscriber (i.e. a customer or a potential customer who has signed up for service from a provider). A typical splitter cabinet is capable of serving anything from 144 to 576 premises. However, such splitter cabinets are expensive and require a large space to accommodate and to manage connection points for the premises they serve. Also, because each input optical fiber of a splitter is typically spliced, a high skilled technician is required to make necessary optical fiber splicing at the splitter cabinet. Such demand results in significant labor and time during the deployment of a fiber-optic network.
Various embodiments address these and other shortcomings associated with a conventional optical fiber distribution system by providing plug-and-play optical fiber distribution systems having a cable combiner and a splitter housing. Because all optical fibers are connectorized for plug-and-play and because the functionality of a traditional splitter cabinet is replaced by much smaller and cheaper units of cable combiner and splitter housing, a faster, more flexible and more affordable FTTX deployment is possible. In other words, unlike traditional FTTX deployment processes that require labor intense and costly splitter cabinets, the disclosed embodiments provide a plug-and-play FTTX deployment system that requires no splitter cabinet. Having provided a general description of the disclosure, a detailed description of the innovation is discussed in the narrative of the invention embodiments as illustrated in the drawings that follow. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an invented optical fiber distribution system 200. The optical fiber distribution system 200 comprises a CO 100, a feeder cable 205 extending from the CO 100, a cable combiner 201 that terminates the feeder cable 205, two extension cables 206 optically connected to the cable combiner 201, two splitter housings 600 that terminate the extension cable 206 and splits each input optical fiber into a plurality of output optical fibers, distribution cables 203 optically connected to at least one of the output optical fibers, and a plurality of terminals 204 optically connected to the distribution cable 203 through tether cables 207. The terminals 204 are configured to act as customer optical fiber connection access points once a customer subscribes to an optical fiber network provider.
To provide an internet connection to customer's premises, the terminal 204 is connected to a drop cable through a connector assembly (not shown). The connector assembly can include many different types of connectors, such as, for example, multi-fiber MPO types connectors, SC and LC single-fiber connectors, in line adapters of different types and other known fiber-optic connectors (e.g., conventional connectors used in drop cable assemblies). If the connector assembly is exposed to an outside environment, the connector assembly should be outside plant (OSP) rated. In this specification, optical components (e.g. closures, connector ports, cables etc. . . . ) are said to be “outside plant (OSP) rated” when they protect inner components from an outside environment (e.g. moisture, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, pests and vermin, etc.).
Furthermore, the optical fiber distribution system 200 is a plug-and-play system. It means that the optical fiber distribution system 200 is deployed without any splicing in the field. It also means that the cable combiner 201 and the splitter housings 600 are factory manufactured. Therefore, there is no need for a high skilled technician to splice fibers in the field, which is typically required for a conventional FTTX deployment using splitter cabinets. Eliminating the need for hiring high skilled technicians to perform a field work results in a significant labor cost saving of the FTTX network deployment.
Another advantage of the optical fiber distribution system 200 is a set of cable combiner 201 and splitter housing 600 that replace the functionality of a traditional splitter cabinet. Because both cable combiner 201 and splitter housing 600 are OSP rated and substantially smaller than a traditional splitter cabinet, the cable combiner 201 and the splitter housing 600 can be placed effectively anywhere independent of each other, instead of a fixed predetermined location. Furthermore, both cable combiner 201 and splitter housing 600 are small, light and durable enough to be used for both aerial and buried deployments. Such features of the cable combiner 201 and splitter housing 600 provide flexibility in a FTTX deployment.
With this FTTX environment in mind, attention is turned to FIG. 3, which shows one embodiment of a cable combiner 201. The combiner cable assembly 201 comprises a closure 301 having a cable port 302 and a plurality of connector ports 303. The cable port 302 receives the feeder cable 205 extending from a central office and takes the feeder cable 205 inside of the closure 301. The number of optical fibers in the feeder cable 205 may vary depending on a scale of an FTTX deployment. For example, feeder cables having 144 optical fibers are typical used to serve a few thousands premises.
The cable combiner 201 is OSP rated such that the optical fibers inside the feeder cable 205 are protected from an outside environment when the fibers are divided into sub-units and terminated by the connector ports 303 within the closure 301. Quantity of optical fibers inside the feeder cable 205, quantity of sub-units, and quantity of optical fibers per sub-unit may vary depend on the scale of an FTTX deployment and other factors. For example, 144 fibers in a feeder cable can be divided into 18 sub-units of 8 fibers each. If sub-units contain plurality of optical fibers, then the connector ports 303 are configured to receive a multi-fiber connection. Furthermore, if the connector ports 303 are on the exterior surface of the closure 301 as shown in FIG. 3, then the connector ports 303 should be OSP rated. However, the connector ports 303 may be placed inside of the closure 301 and the connector ports 303 may not be OSP rated. Finally, the feeder cable 205 is preferably integrated with the cable combiner 201 and pre-fabricated in a factory. For example, the feeder cable 205 may be spliced directly to the connector ports 302. Alternatively, the sub-units of the feeder cable 205 may be pre-connectorized in a factory, and assembled with the cable combiner 201 in the factory or in the field.
The cable combiner 201 also acts as an aggregation point of a plurality of extension cables. Referring back to FIG. 2, extension cables 206 are optically connected to corresponding sub-unites of the feeder cable 205 at one of the connector ports of the cable combiner 201. The extension cable 206 is connectorized and terminated at the connector port of the cable combiner 201. Preferably, the connectorized ends of the extending cables 206 and the cables themselves are OSP rated.
Next, FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a splitter module 202 without a cover. A plurality of the splitter modules 202 are incorporated into the splitter housing 600 shown in FIG. 2. The splitter module 202 is OSP rated such that the optical fibers and other components inside the closure 401 are protected. The splitter module 202 splits one input optical fiber into a plurality of output optical fibers to serve multiple premises using a single optical fiber. The splitter module 202 comprises a closure 401 having a connection port 402, a splitter 404 and a plurality of connector ports 405.
The connection port 402 receives an optical fiber connection 409 extending from an extension cable 206 shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the connection port 402 is a connector port that configured to receive a connectorized end of the optical fiber connection 409.
Inside the closure 401, the splitter 404 is optically connected to an input optical fiber 406 extending from the optical fiber connection 409 and splits the input optical fiber 406 into a plurality of output optical fibers 407. Preferably, the input optical fiber 406 is connectorized and optically connected to the optical fiber connection 409 at the connector port 402. The splitter 404 is any suitable optical device that allows a single optical fiber network interface to be shared among many subscribers. Such optical device converts each input optical fiber into “n” number of output optical fibers. Preferably, the splitter 404 splits one input optical fiber into 32 output optical fibers. Furthermore, the splitter 404 preferably is a planer light circuit (PLC). Number of ways the signal is split and the method of split may vary depend on a scale of a FTTX deployment and other factors.
The plurality of output optical fibers 407 are terminated by the connector ports 405, and the output optical fibers 407 are optically connected to the connectorized ends 408 of the distribution cables in the field. The output optical fibers 407 are connectorized and configured to be mated with the connectorized end 408 of the distribution cable. If output optical fibers are grouped into sub-units before termination (like ribbonized fiber or other groupings), then the connector ports 405 are configured to receive a multi-fiber connection. Furthermore, if the connector ports 405 are on the exterior surface of the closure 401 as shown in FIG. 4, then the connector ports 405 should be OSP rated. However, the connector ports 405 may be placed inside of the closure 401 and the connector ports 405 may not be OSP rated.
Finally, the splitter module 202 is pre-fabricated in a factory. For example, the optical components of the splitter module 404 are spliced and assembled in a factory. Alternatively, the splitter module 404 may be pre-connectorized in a factory, and assembled with other components of the combiner in the factory or in the field.
Furthermore, the splitter module can take different shapes. FIG. 5a-c are the diagrams showing another embodiments of a splitter module. FIG. 5a shows a partial cut-out view of a rectangular-shaped splitter module 510. A connection port 512 is located at on the first surface of the closure 511, the splitter 513 is located inside the closure 511 and the connector ports 514 are located on the second surface of the closure 711 opposite to the first surface.
FIG. 5b shows a round-shaped splitter housing 520. A connection port 522 is located on the first surface of the closure 521, a splitter 523 is located inside the closure 521 and the connector ports 524 are located on the opposite wall of the closure 521. Furthermore, the round-shaped splitter housing 520 has an alignment device 525 on the exterior surface of the closure 521, which can be used to align it inside a larger system with other splitter modules or another device with a similar alignment device.
FIG. 5c shows a splitter module with integrated latch system 530. A connection port 532 is allocated on the first surface of a closure 531, a splitter 533 is located inside the closure 531 and the connector ports 534 are located on the second and opposed surface of the closure 531. Furthermore, the splitter module 530 has an alignment device 535 on the exterior surface of the closure 531, which can be used to align it in a larger system with other splitter modules or another device with a similar alignment device. An integrated latch system 536 of the splitter module 530 allows quick incorporation and removal of the splitter module from a splitter housing. The embodiments shown in FIG. 5a-c are mere example of different embodiments of splitter modules; other shapes of splitter modules are also within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, any of the embodiments shown in FIG. 5a-c are OSP rated.
To use the splitter modules in an optical fiber distribution system, a plurality of splitter modules are grouped together and incorporated into a larger splitter housing. FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of such splitter housing 600. In particular, FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a splitter housing 600 that stacks a plurality of splitter modules 202 side by side. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the splitter housing 600 comprise a container 601, a cable port 602 that receives an extension cable 206 extending from one of the connector ports of the cable combiner, and openings 603. Preferably, the splitter housing 600 is OSP rated, at least when the splitter modules 202 are installed.
In FIG. 6, the cable port 602 is a connector port that is configured to receive a multi-fiber connector. Preferably, the connector port is configured to receive a multiple of optical fiber connections conforming to the number of splitter modules 202 inside the container 601. For example, the splitter housing 600 is designed to hold eight splitter modules 202. Therefore, the connector port at the cable port 602 should be designed to receive eight optical fiber connections to serve the eight splitter modules 202 inside the container 601. Inside the closure 601, a plurality of optical fiber connections (shown as 409 in FIG. 4) are extended from the cable port 602. Although not shown in FIG. 6, one can appreciate that the extension cable 206 may be terminated by a plurality of single fiber connectors configured to be connected to the connection port of the splitter modules 202 inside the container 601 through the cable port 602 of the splitter housing 600. In this configuration, a connector port at the extending cable port 602 can be eliminated and replaced by a simple pass through opening.
The container 601 has a sufficient space inside to accommodate desired number of splitter modules 202 and to accommodate and manage optical fibers necessary to optically connect the optical fibers inside the extension cable 206 to corresponding splitter modules 202. Furthermore, the openings 603 provide sufficient space to expose the connector ports 405 of the splitter modules 202. Although not shown in FIG. 6, one can appreciate that the openings 603 may be much smaller than what was shown in FIG. 6. The size of the opening is adequate if a sufficient portion of connector ports 405 are exposed to the exterior of the splitter housing 600 to make a connection with corresponding connectors 408. The connector ports 405 are configured to be connected to a mating connector 408 of a distribution cable.
Because the splitter housing 600 splits input optical fibers to many output optical fibers, the splitter housing 600 can act as a pivot point to design a well-organized FTTX deployment scheme. Referring back to FIG. 2, distribution cables 203 are optically connected to corresponding sub-unites of the output optical fibers at one of the connector ports of the splitter module 202. The distribution cable 203 is connectorized and terminated at the connector port of the splitter module 202. Preferably, the connectorized ends 408 of the distribution cables 203 and the cables themselves are OSP rated. The splitter housing 600 is a small, modular and functionally stand-alone sub-unit of a conventional splitter cabinet; therefore, the proposed FTTX deployment is much more flexible than the conventional deployment using a bulky splitter cabinet. Such flexibility in deployment may allow off-the-shelf optical fiber cables to be used as feeder cables and extension cables.
Furthermore, the shape and size of the splitter housing can be different depending on the shape of the splitter module and number of splitter modules to be incorporated into the splitter housing. For example, FIGS. 7a-b show another embodiment of a splitter housing 700 that accommodates a plurality of rectangular-shaped splitter modules like the ones shown in FIGS. 5a and 5c . FIG. 7a shows a perspective view of the splitter housing 700, which accommodates a plurality of splitter modules 510 or 530 (shown in FIG. 7a as 510/530). Preferably, the structure 700 has a mechanism 701 that accepts an optional alignment device of the splitter modules 510 or 530. Furthermore, the splitter housing 700 may have a latching mechanism (not shown) compatible with the optional latching mechanism of the splitter modules 510 or 530. FIG. 7b shows a plain view of one surface of the splitter housing 700. The surface represents the backplane of the splitter housing 700 and the connection port side of the splitter modules 510 or 530.
Next, FIGS. 8a-b show a yet another embodiment of a splitter housing 800 that accommodates a plurality of round-shaped splitter housings like the ones shown in FIG. 5b . FIG. 8a-b show a splitter housing 800 that accommodates such splitter modules 520. FIG. 8a shows a top view of the splitter housing 800, which accommodates a plurality of round-shaped splitter modules 520. The connection port side 801 of the splitter modules 520 is placed inside of the splitter housing 800. FIG. 8b shows a plan view of one side of the splitter housing 800 that exposes connection ports of splitter modules 520. Preferably, the splitter housing 800 has a mechanism (not shown) allowing its alignment inside of the splitter modules 520. Furthermore, the splitter housing 700 may have a latching mechanism (not shown) to correspond with an optional latching mechanism of the splitter modules 520.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the distribution cables 203 are optically connected to connector ports of the splitter module 202 in order to provide a mid-span access to the fibers inside the distribution cable 203 through tether cables 207. The end of a tether cable 207 may be connectorized to mate with a corresponding connector port or ports of the terminal 204. Alternatively, the distribution cable 203 is prefabricated and integrated with appropriate number of terminals 204 in a factory. The terminals 204 serve as a customer optical fiber connection access points. Once a customer subscribes to an optical fiber network provider, a drop cable from the customer's premise will be optically connected with an appropriate port of the terminal 204.
Furthermore, the splitter housings can be used in series. To use splitter housings in series, splitter housings are modified as shown in FIG. 11. The splitter housing 1100 on FIG. 11 has an OSP rated housing 1101, an OSP rated input multi-fiber connector port 1102 on the housing 1101 to receive a connectorized optical fiber cable (not shown) with a plurality of input optical fibers. Inside the housing 1101, there is at least one splitter (not shown). The splitter is configured to optically connect to one of the input optical fibers when the connectorized optical fiber cable is received. The splitter splits the optically connected input optical fiber into a plurality of output optical fibers to serve multiple premises using a single optical fiber. The plurality of output optical fibers that are extended from the splitter are terminated by one or more of the output connector ports 1105, which are OSP rated. The rest of input optical fibers that are not optically connected to the splitter is received and terminated by an OSP rated output multi-fiber connector port 1103. Preferably, the input multi-fiber connector port 1102 and the output multi-fiber connector port 1103 are on the opposite sides of the housing 1101. However, those multi-fiber connector ports 1101 and 1103 can be placed anywhere on the splitter housing 1100.
Next, in FIG. 12, the splitter housings shown in FIG. 11 are connected in series. In this example, a first splitter housing 1200 and a second splitter housing 1300 are optically connected in series. Each splitter housing has the components shown in FIG. 11 such as an OSP rated input multi-fiber connector port 1202, 1302, splitter (not shown) inside the splitter housing, a plurality of OSP rated output connector ports 1205, 1305 and an OSP rated output multi-fiber connector port 1203, 1303.
To create an FTTX network system, the input multi-fiber connector port 1202 of the first splitter housing 1200 is optically connected to a multi-fiber cable 1206 that is extended from a cable combiner (e.g. a fiber hub) (not shown). The cable combiner is a central network distribution point to deploy an FTTX network, and the cable combiner is optically connected to the central office (CO) to provide service to multiple customers within the network.
Inside the first splitter housing 1200, one of the multi-fiber connections from the multi-fiber cable 1206 is split into a plurality of output optical fibers by a splitter, and the output optical fibers are terminated by the OSP rated output connector ports 1205. The rest of the multi-fiber connections are received and terminated by the OSP rated output multi-fiber connector port 1203. Then, another multi-fiber optical fiber cable 1207, which is connectorized on both ends, optically connects the output multi-fiber connector port 1203 of the first splitter housing 1200 and the input multi-fiber connector port 1302 of the second splitter housing 1300. The second splitter housing 1300 works the same way as the first splitter housing 1200 except lesser optical connections are available since the first splitter housing 1200 used one of the multi-fiber connection available in the network. Furthermore, similar to the first splitter housing 1200, the output multi-fiber connector port 1303 of the second splitter housing 1300 may be optically connected with yet another multi-fiber optical fiber cable 1208 for further network expansion. Depending on the network structure and available optical fiber connections, the FTTX network system may have more than two splitter housings connected in series. The series of splitter housing connection may continue until desired premises are served or until the last of the input optical fiber is optically connected to a splitter (i.e. until there is no longer a multi-fiber connection is available to split).
Similarly, a cable TV distribution system may utilize a similar structure to transmit cable TV signals to subscribed customers. FIG. 9 shows a typical cable TV distribution system 900 for transmitting cable TV signals. As shown in FIG. 9, the cable TV distribution system 900 comprises a headend 901, a feeder cable 902, a node 903 and a copper-based distribution cable 904. Usually, a network between the headend 901 and the node 903 is fiber-optic-based network and the feeder cable 902 typically contains 4 to 12 optical fibers inside the cable.
The node 903 converts the downstream optically modulated signal coming from the headend 901 to an electrical signal and the signal travels to the subscribed customers through the copper-based distribution cable 904. Typically, downstream signal is an RF modulated signal that begins at 50 MHz and ranges from 550-1000 MHz on the upper end. The node 903 also can send communication from the subscribed customers back to the headend 901. Typically, the reverse signal is a modulated RF ranging from 5-65 MHz.
However, because of the increasing demand for a high bandwidth for TV signals especially for high definition (HD) programs, the existing copper based network is becoming the bottleneck of existing cable TV distribution system. The existing copper based network may not be able to allocate sufficient amount of bandwidth for each subscribed customers per node. Also, adding a new node requires a power source to the node, which adds cost and complexity to the new construction of nodes, and for some locations, adding a new node may not be technically possible.
Instead of having a mixed fiber-optic/copper-based distribution system, cable TV distribution systems can utilize all fiber plug-and-play structures disclosed above. FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of an invented cable TV distribution system 1000, which is substantially free from copper cables. As shown in FIG. 10, the cable TV distribution system 1000, for transmitting cable TV signals to subscribed customers, comprises a headend 1001 for providing cable TV signals, a feeder cable 1002 extending from the headend 1001, the feeder cable 1002 has at least one optical fiber, an OSP rated splitter housing 1003 optically connected to the feeder cable 1002, and an optical fiber-based distribution cables 1004 optically connected to the splitter housing 1003.
The splitter housing 1003 has a plurality of splitter modules. Each splitter module has a closure having a connection port, a splitter, and a plurality of connector ports. The feeder cable 1002 is received by a cable port of the splitter module. The optical fibers inside the feeder cable 1002 are optically connected to corresponding splitter modules through optical fiber connections between the cable port of the splitter housing 1003 and the connection port of the splitter module. Inside the splitter module, the splitter splits an input optical fiber extending from the connection port into a plurality of output optical fibers. Then, the connector ports terminate the output optical fibers.
The optical fiber-based distribution cables 1004 are optically connected to at least one of the output optical fibers at one of the connector ports of the splitter module. Furthermore, a plurality of terminals 1005 are optically connected to the distribution cable 1004. The terminals 1005 are configured to act as a customer cable TV connection access point once a customer subscribes to a cable TV provider. Preferably, the splitter modules are factory manufactured and the cable TV distribution system 1000 is deployed without any splicing in the field.
The cable TV distribution system 1000 is substantially free from copper-based cables all the way from the headend 1001 to the customer cable TV connection access points. Because the cable TV distribution system 1000 is copper cable free, there is no node that convers optical signals to electric signals, which means that the cable TV distribution system 1000 can be deployed without any power source between the headend 1001 and the terminals 1005. Also, because the splitter housing 1003 can be designed to fit in a space for a node used in a traditional copper-based cable TV distribution system, the cable TV distribution system 1000 can be deployed using the existing cable TV distribution system by replacing the nodes and copper-based distribution cables. Furthermore, the deployment of the cable TV distribution system 1000 is much quicker than conventional copper-based distribution because the cable TV distribution system 1000 is plug-and-play and there is no need to fusion-splice any portion of the optical fibers throughout the network.
Although exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the disclosure as described may be made. For example, although FIGS. 11 and 12, only show the same number of output connector ports 1105, 1205 and 1305 in each splitter housing 1100, 1200, 1300, number of output connector ports can vary between different splitter housings and output connector ports may offer multi-fiber connection, and the cable 1206 and/or cable 1207 may be combined with the splitter housing 1100 and pre-fabricated as a single assembly in a factory. Also, it should be appreciated that all optical fiber cables disclosed in the application are OSP rated and the cable jacket can be manufactured using polyethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), low-smoke zero halogen (LSZH), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or other materials. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A splitter housing for fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) comprising:

an outside plant (OSP) rated housing;

an OSP rated input multi-fiber connector port on the housing to receive a connectorized optical fiber cable with a plurality of input optical fibers;

at least one splitter inside the housing, the splitter is optically connected to one of the input optical fibers, wherein the splitter splits the input optical fiber into a plurality of output optical fibers to serve multiple premises using a single optical fiber; and

a plurality of OSP rated output connector ports, wherein each output connector port terminates at least one output optical fiber extending from the splitter; wherein the rest of input optical fibers not optically connected to the splitter are available for future network expansion.

2. The splitter housing of claim 1, wherein the splitter housing is pre-fabricated.

3. The splitter housing of claim 1, wherein the splitter splits the input optical fiber into n output optical fibers, wherein n is a natural number.

4. The splitter housing of claim 3, wherein n is 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 or 24.

5. The splitter housing of claim 1, wherein the splitter is a planar light circuit (PLC).

6. The splitter housing of claim 1, wherein the output connector ports are receptacles for receiving a connectorized drop cable that extends to a predetermined premise.

7. The splitter housing of claim 1, wherein the output connector ports are on the exterior surface of the housing.

8. A splitter housing for fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) comprising:

an outside plant (OSP) rated housing;

at least one splitter inside the housing, the splitter is optically connected to one of the input optical fibers, wherein the splitter splits the input optical fiber into a plurality of output optical fibers to serve multiple premises using a single optical fiber;

a plurality of OSP rated output connector ports, wherein each output connector port terminates at least one output optical fiber extending from the splitter; and

an OSP rated output multi-fiber connector port on the housing to receive the rest of input optical fibers not optically connected to the splitter.

9. The splitter housing of claim 8, wherein the splitter housing is pre-fabricated.

10. The splitter housing of claim 8, wherein the splitter splits the input optical fiber into n output optical fibers, wherein n is a natural number.

11. The splitter housing of claim 10, wherein n is 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 or 24.

12. The splitter housing of claim 8, wherein the splitter is a planar light circuit (PLC).

13. The splitter housing of claim 8, wherein the output connector ports are receptacles for receiving a connectorized drop cable that extends to a predetermined premise.

14. The splitter housing of claim 8, wherein the output connector ports are on the exterior surface of the housing.

15. A fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) network system comprising:

a central office;

a cable combiner optically connected to the central office;

a first splitter housing optically connected to the cable combiner; and

a second splitter housing optically connected to the first splitter housing,

wherein the first and second splitter housings, each comprising:

an outside plant (OSP) rated housing;

an OSP rated output multi-fiber connector port on the housing to receive the rest of input optical fibers not optically connected to the splitter; and

a connectorized multi-fiber optical fiber cable optically connects the OSP rated output multi-fiber connector port of the first splitter housing and the OSP rated input multi-fiber connector port of the second splitter housing.

16. The fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) network system of claim 15, wherein the FTTX network system comprises a plurality of splitter housings and each splitter housing is optically connected to other splitter housings in series.

17. The fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) network system of claim 16, wherein the splitter housings are optically connected in series until the last of the input optical fiber is optically connected to a splitter.