Physical layer management (PLM) system for use with an optical distribution frame using RFID antennas with localized fields

• US 9,111,249 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2013
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Connectivity UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.), Tyco Electronics UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Mather, David, Standish, Ian Miles, Jeuris, Kristof Johan, Lambourn, Stephen, Baston, Peter, Atkinson, David Nicolas, Hulse, John Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US13/766,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20130207782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/539.1, 235/439, 439/491
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44524 with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack cassettes G02B6/4453
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4455 characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/138 using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/155 characterised by connection features
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0286 Receptacles therefor, e.g. card slots, module sockets, card groundings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1488 Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part

Abstract

One embodiment is directed to a tray for use in a subrack of a rack, the tray comprising a printed circuit board configured so that a plurality of connections can be made at a plurality of positions on the printed circuit board. Each of the plurality of connections involves at least one connector having an RFID tag associated therewith. The tray further comprises a plurality of RFID antennas integrated into the printed circuit board, each the RFID antennas associated with a respective one of the positions. The printed circuit board is configured to localize a field emitted from each RFID antenna so that only the RFID tag associated with that RFID antenna is energized and read.

Claims

1. A tray for use in a subrack of a rack, the tray comprising:

a printed circuit board configured so that a plurality of connections can be made at a plurality of positions on the printed circuit board, each of the plurality of connections involving at least one connector having an RFID tag associated therewith;

a plurality of RFID antennas integrated into the printed circuit board, each the RFID antennas associated with a respective one of the positions; and

wherein the printed circuit board is configured to localize a field emitted from each RFID antenna so that only the RFID tag associated with that RFID antenna is energized and read.

2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a conductive plane surrounded on an upper side by a first ground plane and surrounded on a bottom side by a second ground plane;

and

wherein the RFID antennas are formed in the conductive layer of the printed circuit board.

3. The tray of claim 2, wherein, for each RFID antenna, a respective opening is formed in the upper ground plane so that radio frequency signals can pass between the respective RFID antenna and any RFID tag positioned near the opening, wherein the rest of the ground plane is configured to constrain the radio frequency signals emitted from the RFID antennas.

4. The tray of claim 3, wherein, for each RFID antenna, a respective opening is formed in the bottom ground plane so that radio frequency signals can escape out through the respective opening in the bottom ground plane in order to reduce the size of the field created above the printed circuit board.

5. The tray of claim 1, wherein the tray includes pockets formed in the tray to accommodate electronics.

6. The tray of claim 1, wherein the tray comprises at least one of:

a plurality of RFID antennas, each of the RFID antennas being associated with a respective one of the positions, wherein each of the plurality of RFID antennas can be selectively coupled to an RFID reader in order to read the RFID tags associated with the connectors involved in making the connections; and

a plurality of visual indicators, each of the visual indicators being associated with a respective one of the positions.

7. The tray of claim 1, wherein the tray is configured so that a plurality of fiber optic adapters can be attached to the printed circuit board, each of the plurality of fiber optic adapters associated with a respective one of the positions.

8. The tray of claim 1, further comprising:

a tray controller; and

at least two communication ports, each of which is coupled to the tray controller, wherein the tray is configured so that the tray controller can be coupled to a controller external to the tray via one or more of the communication ports.

9. The tray of claim 8, wherein the communication ports are angled.

10. The tray of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of connections is made using between at least one of optical cabling and metallic cabling.

11. The tray of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of connections is made using at least one of optical cabling and metallic cabling.

12. A method of using a tray, the tray comprising a printed circuit board and a plurality of RFID antennas integrated into the printed circuit board, each the RFID antennas associated with a respective one of a plurality of positions on the printed circuit board, the method comprising:

making a plurality of connections at the plurality of positions on the printed circuit board, each of the plurality of connections involving at least one connector having an RFID tag associated therewith;

energizing and reading the RFID tags using the RFID antennas; and

localizing a field emitted from each RFID antenna so that only the RFID tag associated with that RFID antenna is energized and read.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a conductive plane surrounded on an upper side by a first ground plane and surrounded on a bottom side by a second ground plane;

and

wherein the RFID antennas are formed in the conductive layer of the printed circuit board.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, for each RFID antenna, a respective opening is formed in the upper ground plane so that radio frequency signals can pass between the respective RFID antenna and any RFID tag positioned near the opening, wherein the rest of the ground plane is configured to constrain the radio frequency signals emitted from the RFID antennas.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, for each RFID antenna, a respective opening is formed in the bottom ground plane so that radio frequency signals can escape out through the respective opening in the bottom ground plane in order to reduce the size of the field created above the printed circuit board.