LIGHTSTITCH Automated Cross-Connect

INTRODUCTION

Telescent's LIGHTSTITCH Automated Fiber Optic Cross-Connect/Patch-Panel is a plug-and-play replacement for standard cross-connects, offering the advantages of remote and automated reconfiguration, zero insertion loss, modularity and scalability. Protocol and data rate independent cross-connections are established between any pair of ports through software control. The LIGHTSTITCH technology incorporates advanced reconfiguration algorithms based on the Theory of Knots and Braids, elastic fiber optic circuits, a shared robotic module, integrated fiber end face cleaning and latching physical contact connectors for unmatched simplicity and reliability. Ports can be added in a pay-as-you-grow fashion using 48-port FLEXICIRCUITPAK modules. The LIGHTSTITCH mainframe supports up to 1008 cross-connects, or equivalently 21 modules. Modules with single mode or multimode fiber and PC, UPC or APC polish types can be mixed and matched within a single mainframe.

MODULARITY

• Build-up the switch size by installing 48-Port FLEXICIRCUITPAK modules in a pay as you grow fashion.
• New ports are fully reconfigurable with previous ports to provide a true 1008x1008 switching fabric.

RELIABILITY

• The single robotic actuator and slide-in FLEXICIRCUITPAK modules can be upgraded as needed.
• Interruption of electrical power does not impact optical transmission and reconfigurations commence automatically once power is restored.
• All-fiber design consists of Telcordia qualified LC optical cable assemblies, connectors and union adapters.
• Unique design based on the Theory of Knots and Braids ensures an unlimited number of arbitrary reconfigurations free of physical entanglement or knotting. 
• Machine vision alignment and health monitoring achieve a high level of software intelligence complementing the system’s mechanical and electronic simplicity.

OPTICAL PERFORMANCE

• Internal optical path within the LIGHTSTITCH consists of a 10 m long, continuous length of optical fiber.
• Internal optical fiber can be spliced or connectorized at one end and is LC connectorized at the end undergoing robotic reconfiguration. 
• The automated fiber end face cleaning cartridge achieves an insertion loss repeatibility of better than 0.25 dB.
• The sealed mini-environment within the LIGHTSTITCH provides repeatable, low loss connections even when operating in relatively dirty environments.
• Optical performance is identical to manual cross-connects/patch-panels.

ELECTRICAL POWER CONSUMPTION

• The LIGHTSTITCH implements intelligent power management features to minimize electrical power consumption. 
• The system enters a sleep mode during extended periods with no reconfiguration.  
• The LIGHTSTITCH may be powered by a small solar panel/battery system for off-grid applications.

TECHNOLOGY

• Telescent’s exclusive automated interconnect technology includes17 awarded and pending patents, establishing one of the most extensive switching and network automation technology platforms in the industry.