Technology

Layer-0 Switching

Telescent has developed physical network reconfiguration systems incorporating an all-fiber automated patch-panel system that is scalable and modular to > 1000 x 1000 ports, is low cost by design, and exhibits nearly zero insertion loss. This switching system enables a new class of network management tools to be installed for remote reconfiguration, monitoring and sharing of physical network assets across a distributed network, as well as physical layer validation testing, provisioning and discovery. The automated patch-panel is based on a novel all-fiber, latching matrix switch utilizing a unique architecture and sophisticated control algorithms based on new advances in the mathematics of Topology. Fiber interconnections are arbitrarily reconfigured in a completely non-blocking fashion using compact robotics. Fundamentally, the size and complexity of this all-fiber switch scales favorably as N, the number of ports, rather than the usual N² scaling, vastly reducing hardware complexity and size.

Layer-0 Optical Monitoring

Telescent has developed a new type of optical power monitor based on microwires and nanowires patterned within a transparent multi-layer anti-reflection coating. These “wires” are nanometer to micron wide traces patterned within an indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive layer. ITO typically absorbs 1 to 10% at visible and infrared wavelengths, depending on its thickness. Localized heating of ITO occurs when the optical intensity passing through the conductive trace exceeds about 10 mW/mm². The temperature change produces a proportional resistance change that can be measured electronically. This detector samples and transmits light with nearly zero insertion loss.

Layer-0 Mapping

Telescent has developed an RFID overlay network technology enabling the automated discovery and configuration management of all physical fiber optic connections within a distributed communications network. The RFID reader system is designed to interrogate tags automatically and remotely through composite fiber optic patchcords, eliminating the need for manual readout by technicians. Composite fiber optic patchcords function as RF transmission lines to relay each unique RF code back to an RFID reader at the patch-panel. This system enables a new class of network management tools that automatically track and record the physical interconnect topology and alert administrators to unauthorized changes in the cabling configuration.