System and apparatus for radial optical distribution
First Claim
1. An apparatus for distributing a plurality of optical fibers, the apparatus comprising:
- a distribution panel;
at least one optical input element coupled to the distribution panel;
a central hub coupled to the distribution panel; and
at least one optical output element coupled to the distribution panel, wherein the at least one optical input element is configured to receive at least one optical fiber from a source external to the apparatus and route a plurality of optical fibers to the central hub, and wherein the central hub is configured to radially distribute at least one of the plurality of optical fibers to the at least one optical output element for distribution from the apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and system for managing and radially distributing optical fibers from a first location, such as a central office, to a plurality of destination locations, such as homes within a neighborhood. The apparatus includes a distribution panel having a central hub or ring, and both a plurality of optical input elements and a plurality of optical output elements disposed radially around the central hub. The optical input elements split the fibers coupled from the first location into a plurality of individual fibers that are routed to the central hub. The central hub radially distributes the plurality of fibers to appropriate optical output elements, which are coupled to destination fibers routed to the plurality of destination locations. The radial configuration of the apparatus provides a central breakout point for fiber distribution, thus improving fiber organization and routing management compared to conventional routing and distribution systems.
88 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for distributing a plurality of optical fibers, the apparatus comprising:
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a distribution panel;
at least one optical input element coupled to the distribution panel;
a central hub coupled to the distribution panel; and
at least one optical output element coupled to the distribution panel, wherein the at least one optical input element is configured to receive at least one optical fiber from a source external to the apparatus and route a plurality of optical fibers to the central hub, and wherein the central hub is configured to radially distribute at least one of the plurality of optical fibers to the at least one optical output element for distribution from the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for distributing a plurality of optical fibers, the system comprising:
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a central office;
a distribution apparatus coupled to the central office via at least one main feeder line, the distribution apparatus comprising a distribution panel, at least one optical input element coupled to the distribution panel, a central hub coupled to the distribution panel, and at least one optical output element coupled to the distribution panel, wherein the at least one optical input element is coupled to at least one main feeder line routed from the central office, wherein the at least one optical input element routes a plurality of optical fibers to the central hub, and wherein the central hub radially distributes at least one of the plurality of optical fibers to the at least one optical output element; and
a plurality of destination locations coupled to the at least one optical output element via at least one destination feeder fiber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification