Method for providing a broadband infrastructure in a building by means of optical fibres

• US 20040126068A1
• Filed: 01/21/2004
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke KPN NV
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke KPN NV
• Inventors: Van Bijsterveld, Cornelis Casparus
• Granted Patent: US 7,035,512 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/101
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/475 Mechanical aspects of installing cables in ducts or the like for buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1149 Arrangements for indoor wireless networking of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25 Arrangements specific to fibre transmission

Abstract

A system and method for the transmission of optical signals via optical fibres in a building provided with a system of conduits for electric wires. The optical fibers are ducted through the same conduits as the electric wires. The optical fibres are fitted to the same wall or ceiling terminals as the electric wires. The terminals can comprise connectors to which the optical fibers are fitted, or optical transceivers. The terminals can also comprise electrically supplied modules for amplifying, processing, routing or converting the optical signals. Monitoring, controlling, processing etc. of the optical signals can be done in a central element, in the proximity of a central module for monitoring etc. the electric energy in the building.

Claims

1. A method for providing a broadband infrastructure in a building (1) by means of optical fibres (10) for the transmission of optical signals, which building is provided with a system of conduits (7) for ducting electric wires (8) for the transfer of electric energy, characterized in that the optical fibers are ducted through the same conduits as said electric wires.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the electric wires are fitted to wall or ceiling terminals (5, 6), characterized in that the fibers are also fitted to said same terminals.

3. A system for the transmission of optical signals via optical fibers (10) in a building (1), which building is provided with a system of conduits (7) for enveloping electric wires (8) for the transfer of electric energy, characterized in that the optical fibers are enveloped by the same conduits as said electric wires.

4. A system according to claim 3, comprising wall or ceiling terminals (5, 6) to which the electric wires are fitted, characterized in that the optical fibers are also fitted to said same terminals.

5. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminals comprise a connector (13) to which an optical fibre is fitted and to which a matching counter-connector (14) can be connected.

6. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminals comprise an optical transmitter (11) to which an optical fiber has been fitted.

7. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminals comprise an optical receiver (11) to which an optical fiber has been fitted.

8. A system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the transmitter and receiver, respectively, comprises an optical lens.

9. A system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the transmitter and receiver, respectively, comprises an optical reflector.

10. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminal comprises electrically supplied amplifying means (16, 26) for amplifying the optical signals.

11. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminal comprises electrically supplied conversion means (16, 26) for converting the optical signals transmitted or received, respectively.

12. A system according to claim 11, characterized in that the conversion means convert the optical signals to electrical signals and vice versa, which electrical signals are presented to or taken from electrical connectors which are comprised by the terminals and to which a matching counter-connector can be connected.

13. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the terminal comprises processing or routing means (16, 26) for processing and/or routing the signals transferred via the optical fibers.

14. A system according to claim 3, wherein the electric wires per building, or per section of the building, meet in a central element (17) for monitoring and/or controlling the electric energy transferred via the electric wires in the building, or section of the building, characterized by a central element (18) for monitoring, processing and/or controlling the information transferred via the optical fibers, in the building, or section of the building.