[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical fibre technology and in particular, relates to a system for automation of FTTH and fibre planning. The present application is based on, and claims priority from an Indian Application Number IN202011015251 filed on 07-04-2020 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] With increasing demand of transmitting and receiving greater amount of information, demand for upgrading communication network infrastructure also increases. Nowadays, communications industry plays an important role in upgradation of communication network infrastructure to provide high-speed internet access to billions of internet users. The communications industry with facilitation of FTTH (Fibre to the Home) technology and fibre planning provides high-speed data. Currently, planning of FTTH network is done using satellite image of an area or by individual skilled resource. In addition, the existing system for planning of FTTH network requires manual intervention at different planning stages. Further, the existing system consumes a lot of time in collecting survey data, planning stages of the FTTH network. Furthermore, planning of the FTTH network done by the existing system requires customization for different projects. Moreover, the existing system does not ensure optimization of existing network infrastructure. Due to manual intervention requirement at different planning stages, the number of iterations that can be carried out during different planning stages is limited by human imagination. One solution to ensure an optimized FTTH network is to group infrastructures such as houses, poles, roads, or the like. However, the conventional FTTH networks fail implement the same.
[0003] In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for a fibre planning system that overcomes the above stated disadvantages.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[0004] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a fibre planning system that plans and optimizes FTTH network.
[0005] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide the fibre planning system to prepare survey data for fast designing and planning for FTTH network.
[0006] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the fibre planning system for reducing manual intervention during fibre planning.
[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the fibre planning system for generating Bill of Material.

SUMMARY
[0008] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for planning and optimizing an FTTH network. The system includes a plurality of areas, a drone, an FTTH planner, a communication network, a fibre planning system, a server and a database. The drone is used to capture survey data and one or more images of each area of the plurality of areas in real-time. The drone includes one or more cameras and a GPS. The drone is associated with the fibre planning system. In addition, the FTTH planner is associated with the fibre planning system with utilization of the communication network. The FTTH planner provides a set of information to the fibre planning system. The fibre planning system includes an image processor. The image processor analyses the one or more images with facilitation of artificial intelligence based image learning technique. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fibre planning system plans the FTTH (fibre to the home) network. Further, the fibre planning system plans the FTTH network with utilization of survey data, the one or more images and the set of information. Further, the fibre planning system optimizes the FTTH network based on change in the set of information received from the FTTH planner.
[0009] The plurality of areas includes, but not limited to, urban areas, sub-urban areas and rural areas.
[0010] The survey data includes a plurality of houses, latitude and longitude of electrical poles, type of roads, length of roads and number of trees with location.
[0011] The set of information includes primary splitter configuration, secondary splitter configuration, maximum distance between secondary splitter and a plurality of houses. In addition, the set of information includes maximum overlap length between primary path and secondary path, percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles, and percentage of sag of fiber between electric pole and the plurality of houses.
[0012] The fibre planning system prepares Bill of Material based on the planned FTTH network.
[0013] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] The present disclosure provides a system for planning and optimizing an FTTH network. The system includes a plurality of areas, a drone, an FTTH planner, a communication network, a fibre planning system, a server and a database. The drone is used to capture survey data and one or more images of each area of the plurality of areas in real-time. The drone includes one or more cameras and a GPS. The drone is associated with the fibre planning system. In addition, the FTTH planner is associated with the fibre planning system with utilization of the communication network. The FTTH planner provides a set of information to the fibre planning system. The fibre planning system includes an image processor. The image processor analyses the one or more images with facilitation of artificial intelligence-based image learning technique. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fibre planning system plans the FTTH (fibre to the home) network. Further, the fibre planning system plans the FTTH network with utilization of survey data, the one or more images and the set of information. Further, the fibre planning system optimizes the FTTH network based on change in the set of information received from the FTTH planner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0015] The method and system are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive computing environment for planning and optimizing an FTTH network;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of aerial site image during fibre planning;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates another example of the aerial site image depicting type and road network with length;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another example of the aerial site image depicting electric poles;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates yet another example of the aerial site image depicting a plurality of houses;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the aerial site image depicting numbers of trees at a specific location;
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an FTTH planner;
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a map showing connection between primary splitters and secondary splitters;
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the map showing connection of primary splitters with other primary splitters;
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a general overview of designing the FTTH network;
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a network layout;
[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates a general overview of Bill of Material (BOM) prepared by the fibre planning system;
[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates a hardware framework of a fibre planning system;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a flow-chart illustrating a method for planning the FTTH network; and
[0030] FIG. 15 is a flow-chart illustrating a method for creating an optimized passive optical distribution network between an access point and a plurality of subscribers present in an area using a passive optical distribution network planner.
[0031] It should be noted that the accompanying figures are intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0032] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present technology can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present technology.
[0033] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but no other embodiments.
[0034] Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present technology. Similarly, although many of the features of the present technology are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present technology is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present technology.
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to selected embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with accompanying figures. The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described. This disclosure may be embodied in different forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying figures are intended and provided to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure described below and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for providing better clarity and ease of understanding.
[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and the like, herein do not denote any order, ranking, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[0037] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a method and a system for planning and optimizing a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network i.e. passive optical distribution network in an area. The method includes obtaining, by a drone, one or more images of the area and analyzing, by an image processor, the one or more images to identify one or more entities. The method further includes classifying, by the image processor, the one or more entities based on a set of information extracted from the one or more images and determining, by an FTTH planner, a cost of establishing the FTTH network in the area by determining the cost of establishing the FTTH network for a group and the cost of connecting the group with an access point. Lastly, the method includes reconfiguring, by the FTTH planner, the group by reconfiguring a fiber splitting ratio to determine the cost for a newly established network; and selecting, by the FTTH planner 106, the FTTH network with a least cost.
[0038] The system comprises a drone configured to obtain one or more images of the area and an image processor configured to analyze the one or more images to identify one or more entities. The image processor is further configured to classify the one or more entities based on a set of information extracted from the one or more images. The system further includes an FTTH planner configured to determine a cost of establishing the FTTH network in the area by determining the cost of establishing the FTTH network for a group and the cost of connecting the group with an access point, wherein the FTTH planner reconfigures the group by reconfiguring a fiber splitting ratio to determine the cost for a newly established network and the FTTH planner is configured to select the FTTH network with a least cost.
[0039] The group comprises one or more entities that may include a road network of the plurality of areas, electric poles in the plurality of areas, a plurality of houses, wherein each house of the plurality of houses corresponds to a subscriber of the network, in the plurality of areas, number of trees in the plurality of areas.
[0040] Further, the FTTH planner is configured to divide the area into a plurality of areas, wherein the FTTH network planning is derived for the plurality of areas. The FTTH planner is further configured to categorize the plurality of areas in the group depending on the fibre splitting ratio, wherein the plurality of areas has distinct fiber splitting ratio; determine the cost of establishing the FTTH network in each area of the plurality of area; and reconfigure the set of information of the group to optimize the cost of the FTTH network in the area. The cost optimization is performed by changing parameters of the set of information received by FTTH planner.
[0041] The set of information may include a primary splitter configuration, a secondary splitter configuration, a maximum distance between secondary splitter and the plurality of houses, a maximum overlap length between a primary path and a secondary path, a percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles, and a percentage of sag of fiber between the electric pole and the plurality of houses.
[0042] The system further includes a fibre planning system to record cost and layout for every change in parameters of the set of information.
[0043] The one or more images are related to the plurality of houses, latitude and longitude of electrical poles, type of roads, length of roads, a number of trees in the area.
[0044] Unlike conventional methods and systems, the proposed disclosure provides a better FTTH network planning and cost optimization.
[0045] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 15, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive computing environment 100 for planning and optimizing an FTTH network. The interactive computing environment 100 illustrates an environment suitable for an interactive reception and analysis of a plurality of areas 102 for automation of FTTH network and fibre (fiber) planning. The interactive computing environment 100 includes the plurality of areas 102, a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) 104, an FTTH planner 106, a communication network 108, a fibre planning system 110, a server 114 and a database 116.
[0047] The interactive computing environment 100 includes the plurality of areas 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of areas 102 includes but may not be limited to urban areas, sub-urban areas and rural areas. In an example, urban areas include towns and cities with minimum population of 5000, density of 400 persons per square kilometer and 75 percent of male working population employed in non-agricultural activities. In another example, rural areas include villages with maximum population of 15000, density of 400 persons per square kilometer and 75 percent of male working population employed in agricultural activities.
[0048] The interactive computing environment 100 includes the drone 104. In addition, the drone 104 is used to capture survey data of each area of the plurality of areas 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, survey data includes but may not be limited to a plurality of houses, latitude and longitude of electrical poles, type of roads, length of roads and number of trees with location. In addition, survey data is extracted for each area of the plurality of areas 102. In general, drone is an unpiloted aircraft that is used in situation where manned flight is difficult. In addition, drone captures real-time imagery of activities of a particular area. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone 104 is used to capture survey data of the plurality of areas 102 in real-time.
[0049] The drone 104 includes one or more cameras. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more cameras installed in the drone 104 are photogrammetry cameras. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more cameras may be any camera with suitable features. In general, photogrammetry camera is embedded with photogrammetry software. In addition, photogrammetry software obtains measurements and models of photographs captured by photogrammetry camera. Further, photogrammetry software provides accurate geometrical understanding of photographs. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone 104 captures one or more images of each area of the plurality of areas 102 with utilization of the one or more cameras. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone 104 captures the one or more images of the plurality of areas 102 at a specified height. The one or more images are detailed images of the plurality of areas 102 that may further be utilized for extracting a set of information in order to design cost-effective FTTH networks.
[0050] Further, the drone 104 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System). In addition, the GPS is mounted on the drone 104. In general, GPS or Global Positioning System is space-based navigation system that works in all weather conditions. In addition, GPS or Global Positioning System facilitates provision of location details and time information. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the GPS provides location details and time information of the one or more images captured with facilitation of the drone 104. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone 104 includes transmitter and receiver. In addition, the transmitter and receiver facilitate transmission and reception of data through the drone 104. The drone 104 is associated with the fibre planning system 110.
[0051] Alternatively, the one or more images may be satellite images. The one or more images are high resolution images. Alternatively, the satellite images of the area may complement the one or more images captured by the drone 104.
[0052] The interactive computing environment 100 includes the FTTH planner 106. In general, FTTH stands for fibre to the home. In addition, FTTH refers to installation and use of optical fiber from a central point directly to individual buildings such as residences, and apartment buildings to provide high-speed Internet access. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the FTTH planner 106 is associated with the fibre planning system 110. The FTTH planner 106 is also known as a passive optical distribution network planner. The FTTH planner or the passive optical distribution network planner 106 helps in designing an optimized passive optical distribution network between an access point and a plurality of subscribers by communicating with the fibre planning system 110. The FTTH planner 106 provides the set of information to the fibre planning system 110. The set of information includes but may not be limited to primary splitter configuration, secondary splitter configuration, maximum distance between secondary splitter and the plurality of houses. In addition, the set of information includes maximum overlap length between primary path and secondary path, percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles, and percentage of sag of fiber between electric pole and the plurality of houses. The set of information relates to predetermined feasibility parameters.
[0053] The FTTH planner 106 is associated with the fibre planning system 110 with facilitation of the communication network 108. The fibre planning system 110 is a passive optical distribution network planning system 110. The communication network 110 provides medium to the FTTH planner 106 and the drone 104 to connect with the fibre planning system 110. The communication network 108 use protocols to connect the FTTH planner 106 and the drone 104 with the fibre planning system 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication network 108 facilitates transmission of the one or more images captured by the drone 104 to the fibre planning system 110. In general, communication network is associated with hardware devices that are capable of transmitting data. The communication network 108 provides medium to fibre planning system 110 to receive the one or more images. The communication network 108 provides network connectivity to the fibre planning system 110 using a plurality of methods. The plurality of methods is used to provide network connectivity to the fibre planning system 110 include 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, BLE, LAN, VPN, WAN, and the like. In an example, the communication network 108 includes but may not be limited to a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, a virtual private network, a global area network and a home area network.
[0054] The communication network 108 is a wireless mobile network. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication network 108 is a wired network with a finite bandwidth. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication network 108 is combination of the wireless and the wired network for optimum throughput of data transmission. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication network 108 is an optical fibre high bandwidth network that enables high data rate with negligible connection drops.
[0055] The interactive computing environment 100 includes the fibre planning system 110. In general, fibre planning system generates a cost-optimized fiber network plan and design. In addition, fibre planning system produces a geospatial layout and Bill of Materials using mathematical optimization based on available data sources, design standards and user inputs. The fibre planning system 110 includes an image processor 112. The image processor 112 receives the one or more images of each area of the plurality of areas 102 from the drone 104. In addition, the image processor 112 analyzes the one or more images to identify one or more entities. In an example, the image processor 112 analyses the one or more images to identify road network of the plurality of areas. Further, the image processor 112 classifies roads into type of roads based on analysis of the one or more images. The type of roads includes but may not be limited to concrete, asphalt and temporary. Each of the type of roads is marked on a map. In general, each of the type of roads is marked with a different road marker.
[0056] In another example, the image processor 112 analyzes the one or more images to identify electric poles in the plurality of areas 102. Moreover, electric poles are marked on the map after identification. In yet another example, the image processor 112 analyzes the one or more images to identify the plurality of houses in the plurality of areas 102. The plurality of houses is marked as polygons in the map. Also, shape and size of polygons represents shape and size of the plurality of houses in the plurality of areas 102. In yet another example, the image processor analyses the one or more images to identify number of trees in the plurality of areas 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the image processor 112 analyses the one or more images with facilitation of artificial intelligence-based image learning technique. Also, the artificial intelligence-based image learning technique is used to train the fibre planning system 110 with millions of images for classification of objects in real-time. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fibre planning system 110 facilitates collection of survey data and the one or more images for each area of the plurality of areas 102. In addition, survey data and the one or more images is collected with facilitation of the image processor 112 using the drone 104. The image processor 112 uses one or more high resolution images of the area from the plurality of areas to identify one or more entities present in the area and classify the one or more entities into subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities. The image processor 112 identifies buildings present in the area and classifies them as the subscriber locations. Further, the image processor 112 identifies at least one of roads, trees and electric poles present in the area and classifies them as the passive optical distribution network supporting entities.
[0057] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fibre planning system 110 plans the FTTH (fibre to the home) network. Further, the fibre planning system 110 plans the FTTH network with utilization of survey data, the one or more images and the set of information. Further, the fibre planning system 110 optimizes the FTTH network based on change in the set of information received from the FTTH planner 106. The FTTH planner 106 or the passive optical distribution network planner 106 may include a logic processor that performs all the functions of the FTTH planner 106. Conclusively, the passive optical distribution network planner 106 is communicatively coupled with the image processor (112) that is configured to create a plurality of network plans between the access point and the plurality of subscribers. The passive optical distribution network planner 106 identifies predetermined feasibility parameters associated with realization of each of the plurality of network plans and compares the predetermined feasibility parameters associated with each of the plurality of network plans. Further, the passive optical distribution network planner 106 identifies the plurality of subscribers and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities based on the comparison of the predetermined feasibility parameters and define groups of the subscriber locations and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities for each group of the groups. Furthermore, the passive optical distribution network planner 106 reconfigures each group by altering (increasing or decreasing) number of the plurality of subscribers and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities in each group and determines the cost of network distribution plan for each group configuration to determine the cost optimized network plan.
[0058] The interactive computing environment 100 includes the server 114. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fibre planning system 110 is connected with the server 114. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the server 114 is part of the fibre planning system 110. The server 114 handles each operation and task performed by the fibre planning system 110. The server 114 stores the one or more instructions and the one or more processes for performing various operations of the fibre planning system 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the server 114 is a cloud server. The cloud server is built, hosted and delivered through a cloud computing platform. In general, cloud computing is a process of using remote network servers that are hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data.
[0059] Further, the server 114 includes the database 116. The database 116 is used for storage purposes. The database 116 is associated with the server 116. In general, database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can be easily accessed, managed and updated. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the database 116 provides storage location to all data and information required by the geographical information system 112. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the database 116 may be at least one of hierarchical database, network database, relational database, object-oriented database and the like. However, the database 116 is not limited to the above-mentioned databases.
[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates an example 200 of an aerial site image during fibre planning. The aerial site image is captured with utilization of the drone 104. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drone 104 captures the aerial site image at a specified height. In addition, the aerial site image depicts the plurality of areas 102 to collect survey data during fibre planning.
[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates another example 300 of the aerial site image depicting type of roads and length of each type of road. The aerial site image depicts the type of roads. In addition, type of roads include but may not be limited to concrete road, asphalt road and temporary road. Further, the aerial site image depicts length of each type of road.
[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another example 400 of the aerial site image depicting the electric poles. The aerial site image depicts geographical tagged location of the electric poles with latitudinal and longitudinal information. In addition, the aerial site image depicts number of the electric poles. The aerial site image is captured with utilization of the drone 104. In addition, each electric pole is marked with latitude and longitude in the aerial site image.
[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates yet another example 500 of the aerial site image depicting number of the plurality of houses. The aerial site image is captured with utilization of the drone 104. The aerial site image is utilized to determine number of the plurality of houses. In addition, number of the plurality of households is highlighted in the aerial site image. Further, each house of the plurality of houses is marked by the fibre planning system 110.
[0064] FIG. 6 illustrates an example 600 of the aerial site image depicting numbers of trees at a specific location. The aerial site image is captured with utilization of the drone 104. The aerial site image is utilized to determine the number of tress at the specific location. Further, location of each tree of the number of trees is traced using the fibre planning system 110. Furthermore, the geographical information system 110 traces location of each tree of the number of trees based on artificial intelligence technology.
[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates an example 700 of the FTTH planner 106. The FTTH planner 106 includes the set of information. The set of information includes but may not be limited to primary splitter configuration, secondary splitter configuration, maximum distance between secondary splitter and the plurality of houses. In addition, the set of information includes maximum overlap length between primary path and secondary path, percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles, and percentage of sag of fiber between the electric pole and the plurality of houses. In general, a first optical link is originated from the access point and is divided into a plurality of optical links using a primary splitter. Similarly, a second optical link is originated from the primary splitter and is divided into the plurality of optical links using a secondary splitter. In an example, primary splitter configuration has splitting ratio 1:8 and secondary splitter configuration has splitting ratio 1:8. In an example, the primary splitter configuration and the secondary splitter configuration have the fiber splitting ratio or splitting ratio as 1:n or 2:n. For each configuration, a number of subscribers present in each group of the plurality of subscribers and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities is equal. The number of subscribers present in each group of the groups is dependent on the primary splitting ratio and the secondary splitting ratio of the first optical link and the second optical link between the access point and the plurality of subscribers, where a product of the primary splitting ratio and the secondary splitting ratio is equal for each configuration. Further, the number of subscribers present in each group of the groups is equal to the secondary splitting ratio of the second optical link.
[0066] In addition, maximum distance between secondary splitter and a house is 100 meter. Further, maximum overlap length between primary splitter and secondary splitter id 500 meter. Furthermore, percentage of slag of fibre between two electric poles is 20 %. Alternatively, the set of information includes one or more features of the area that are extracted from the one or more images. The one or more features may include civil infrastructure, natural infrastructure such as tree, pond or the like. The one or features helps in providing an optimized FTTH network planning. The one or more features may be used for making groups of the plurality of houses, road segments, poles, trees or the like.
[0067] Furthermore, the fibre planning system 110 plans the FTTH network with facilitation of an initial planning logic. The initial planning logic includes one or more processes. The fibre planning system 110 performs the one or more processes to plan the FTTH network. The one or more processes includes dividing the area of the plurality of areas 102 in a group of houses based on secondary splitter configuration received from the FTTH planner 106. The groups may include one or more entities such as the plurality of houses, the pole, the road segment or the like. Each group of the group of houses includes houses equal to secondary splitter splitting ratio. In an example, if the secondary splitter configuration specifies that the splitting ratio is 1:8, then each group of the group of houses includes 8 houses (as shown in FIG. 7). In addition, the one or more processes includes identification of the electric poles that are present or intended to be placed in the area of the plurality of areas 102. Further, the one or more processes includes selection of the plurality of houses in a particular group of the group of houses based on length of drop cable from the electric pole and road availability. In an example, length of the drop cable is determined from splitter box mounted on the electric pole to centre of a particular house. In addition, centre of the particular house is marked by the image processor 112 by identifying geometrical centre of polygon marked in the map. The selection of the plurality of houses is done in a way that reduces cost of the drop cable. Further, if two houses have same distance from pole, then last or corner house from the map is selected first for creating the network. Further, the network where road crossing is not involved is given priority and based on that, house for a group is selected. Furthermore, the one or more processes includes mapping connection between centre of the particular house and the electric pole mounted with splitter box on the map. If, for a particular configuration, no pole is found for 40 meters, then new pole is automatically proposed and FTTH network is created using the new pole. Further, the map is divided into plurality of sub maps. For each sub map, optimized FTTH network is created using the system. The network of a sub map is not dependent on the configuration of other sub maps. After creating the network for sub maps, the sub maps are then joined to create a single map.
[0068] Moreover, the one or more processes includes establishing connection between primary splitters and secondary splitters. The connection between primary splitters and secondary splitters is established by utilizing road availability, length of the drop cable, cost of the drop cable, and overlapping information to connect primary splitters with secondary splitters. In addition, the connection between primary splitters and secondary splitters is established by following linear topology. Further, the connection between primary splitters and secondary splitters is marked on the map (as shown in FIG. 8). Also, the one or more processes includes connection of primary splitters with other primary splitters. In an example, primary splitters are connected with other primary splitters by following ring topology. Further, connection of primary splitters with other primary splitters is marked on the map (as shown in FIG. 9). Also, the one or more processes includes overhead or underground laying of the drop cable based on one or more parameters. The one or more parameters includes type of soil, presence of vegetation near route, permissions for vegetation, and the like. In addition, cost of drop cable is determined while deciding the type of laying.
[0069] FIG. 10 illustrates a general overview 1000 of designing the FTTH network. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fibre planning system 110 avoids the electrical poles that are near to a tree. In addition, the tree is manually marked as the electric pole when installation of the electrical pole is not feasible. Further, feasibility restricting parameters are defined that limit the entities and subscribers in a group, the parameters include, but not limited to length of fibers between two electric poles, a percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles, and length of fiber between electric poles and plurality of subscribers and a percentage of sag of fiber between the electric pole and the plurality of subscribers.
[0070] The fibre planning system 110 optimizes the FTTH network after initial planning of the FTTH network. The fibre planning system 110 optimizes the FTTH network by changing parameters of the set of information received by the FTTH planner 106. In an example, primary splitter configuration and secondary splitter configuration are changed. In addition, the fibre planning system 110 performs planning of the FTTH network using the one or more processes (as explained above). The fibre planning system 110 performs planning of the FTTH network based on change in primary splitter configuration and secondary splitter configuration. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, parameters of the planned FTTH network is cost-marked. The parameters of the planned FTTH network includes length of the drop cables, splitter boxes, the electric pole installation, laying process of the drop cables and the like. The process of changing parameters of the set of information is repeated several times and final splitting ratio is constant. In addition, the fibre planning system 110 records cost and layout for every change in parameters of the set of information. The fibre planning system 110 presents the network layout to the FTTH planner 106 based on minimum cost. In other words, the FTTH planner 106 determines the cost of establishing the FTTH network in the area by determining the cost of establishing the FTTH network for the group and the cost of connecting the group with the access point. This whole process makes hybrid groups wherein the number of houses in each group may not be same.
[0071] The fibre planning system 110 is configured to provide manual interventions for catering to special cases (as shown in FIG. 11). In an example, maximum distance between splitter and house is fixed by the FTTH planner 106. In addition, laying based on permission of overhead or underground laying from local authority in specific areas of the plurality of areas 102 is fixed by the FTTH planner 106. Further, splitter configurations for special purpose buildings such as schools, hospitals and the like are fixed by the FTTH planner 106.
[0072] FIG. 12 illustrates a general overview 1200 of Bill of Material (BOM) prepared by the fibre planning system 110. The fibre planning system 110 prepares the Bill of Material based on the planned FTTH network. In general, bill of material (BOM) is a comprehensive inventory of raw materials, assemblies, subassemblies, parts and components needed to manufacture a product.
[0073] Thus, the passive optical distribution network planner 106 creates a network plan and cost data for each configuration of splitting ratios to determine the cost optimized network plan.
[0074] FIG. 13 illustrates a hardware framework 1300 of the fibre planning system 110 of FIG. 1. The hardware framework 1300 includes various components that work synchronously to enable processing of the fibre planning system 110. The hardware framework 1300 includes a bus 1302 that directly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory 1304, one or more processors 1306, one or more presentation components 1308, one or more input/output (I/O) ports 1310, one or more input/output components 1312, and an illustrative power supply 1314. The bus 1302 represents what may be one or more busses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Although the various blocks of FIG. 13 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one may consider a presentation component such as a display device to be an I/O component. Also, processors have memory. The inventors recognize that such is the nature of the art and reiterate that the diagram of FIG. 13 is merely illustrative of an exemplary hardware framework 1300 that can be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Distinction is not made between such categories as “workstation,” “server,” “laptop,” “hand-held device,” etc., as all are contemplated within the scope of FIG. 13 and reference to “hardware framework.”
[0075] The hardware framework 1300 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. The computer-readable media can be any available media that includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, the computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores program code and/or data for short periods of time such as register memory, processor cache and random access memory (RAM), or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information. The computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores program code and/or data for longer periods of time, such as secondary or persistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information. The communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0076] Memory 1304 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory 1304 may be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. The hardware framework 1300 includes the one or more processors 1306 that read data from various entities such as memory 1304 or I/O components 1312. The one or more presentation components 1308 present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplary presentation components include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc.
[0077] FIG. 14 is a flow-chart 1400 illustrating a method for planning the FTTH network. The method includes obtaining, by the drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) 104, one or more images of the area at 1402.
[0078] At 1404, the method includes analyzing, by the image processor 112, the one or more images to identify one or more entities.
[0079] At 1406, the method includes classifying, by the image processor 112, the one or more entities based on a set of information extracted from the one or more images. Further, at 1408, the method includes determining, by the FTTH planner 106, a cost of establishing the FTTH network in the area by determining the cost of establishing the FTTH network for a group and the cost of connecting the group with the access point.
[0080] At 1410, the method includes reconfiguring, by the FTTH planner 106, the group by reconfiguring a fiber splitting ratio to determine the cost for a newly established network and at 1412, the method includes selecting, by the FTTH planner 106, the FTTH network with a least cost.
[0081] FIG. 15 is a flow-chart 1500 illustrating a method for creating an optimized passive optical distribution network between the access point and the plurality of subscribers present in the area using the passive optical distribution network planner 106. The method, at 1502, includes creating a plurality of groups of subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities present in the area.
[0082] At 1504, the method includes planning an optical network between the plurality of groups of subscribers and the primary splitter present on a terminal of the first optical link originating from the access point.
[0083] At 1506, the method includes planning the optical network between the plurality of subscribers present in a group of subscriber of the plurality of groups of subscribers and the secondary splitter present on a terminal of the second optical link originating from the primary splitter.
[0084] At 1508, the method includes reconfiguring, a plurality of times, the plurality of groups of subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities by changing a primary splitting ratio and a secondary splitting ratio and creating a plurality of passive optical distribution network plans between the access points and the plurality of subscribers and determining a cost for each reconfigured plan to determine a cost optimized plan, wherein a product of the primary splitting ratio and the secondary splitting ratio is same for each configuration.
[0085] The passive optical distribution network planner 106 restricts the reconfiguration of the plurality of groups of subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities by a plurality of set points including, but not limited to, a maximum distance between the secondary splitter and the plurality of subscribers and a maximum overlap length between the first optical link, between the primary splitter and the secondary splitter and the second optical link, between secondary splitter and the plurality of subscribers.
[0086] The passive optical distribution network planner 106 determines the cost of the optical network predetermined feasibility parameters such as length of fibers between two electric poles, a percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles, and cost of fiber between electric poles and plurality of subscribers and a percentage of sag of fiber between the electric pole and the plurality of subscribers.
[0087] The passive optical distribution network planner 106 determines a location of the primary splitter and the secondary splitter by reconfiguration group restricting the plurality of set points and cost of the first optical link and the second optical link.
[0088] The present invention has numerous advantages over the prior art. The fibre planning system enables standardized modelling of the entire FTTH network. The fibre planning system automatically generates Bill of Material of planning FTTH network and optimizing fibre planning. The fibre planning system saves 80% time in planning and generating Bill of Material. The fibre planning system reduces manual intervention during fibre planning.
[0089] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the flow chart may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented using at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements.
[0091] The foregoing descriptions of pre-defined embodiments of the present technology have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present technology and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present technology.
[0092] While several possible embodiments of the invention have been described above and illustrated in some cases, it should be interpreted and understood as to have been presented only by way of illustration and example, but not by limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

We claim:

1.A passive optical distribution network planning system (110) for designing an optimized passive optical distribution network between an access point and a plurality of subscribers, the passive optical distribution network planning system (110) comprises:
an image processor (112) that uses one or more high resolution images of an area to identify one or more entities present in the area and classify the one or more entities into subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities; and
a passive optical distribution network planner (106), communicatively coupled with the image processor (112), configured to:
create a plurality of network plans between the access point and the plurality of subscribers;
identify predetermined feasibility parameters associated with realization of each of the plurality of network plans; and
compare the predetermined feasibility parameters associated with each of the plurality of network plans;
identify the plurality of subscribers and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities based on the comparison of the predetermined feasibility parameters;
define groups of the subscriber locations and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities for each group of the groups;
reconfigure each group by altering number of the plurality of subscribers and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities in each group; and
determine a cost of network distribution plan for each group configuration to determine a cost optimized network plan.
2. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined feasibility parameters are based on length of fibers between two electric poles, a percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles and length of fiber between electric poles and the plurality of subscribers and a percentage of sag of fiber between the electric pole and the plurality of subscribers.
3. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more high resolution images may be aerial images captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle (104).
4. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image processor (112) identifies buildings present in the area and classifies them as the subscriber locations.
5. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image processor (112) identifies at least one of roads, trees and electric poles present in the area and classifies them as the passive optical distribution network supporting entities.
6. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of subscribers, for each configuration, present in each group of the plurality of subscribers and the passive optical distribution network supporting entities is equal.
7. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first optical link originating from the access point is divided into a plurality of optical links using a primary splitter.
8. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a second optical link originating from the primary splitter is divided into the plurality of optical links using a secondary splitter.
9. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of subscribers present in each group of the groups is dependent on a primary splitting ratio and a secondary splitting ratio of the first optical link and the second optical link between the access point and the plurality of subscribers.
10. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a product of the primary splitting ratio and the secondary splitting ratio is equal for each configuration.
11. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the number of subscribers present in each group of the groups is equal to the secondary splitting ratio of the second optical link.
12. The passive optical distribution network planning system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passive optical distribution network planner (106) creates a network plan and cost data for each configuration of splitting ratios to determine the cost optimized network plan.
13. A method for creating an optimized passive optical distribution network between an access point and a plurality of subscribers present in an area using a passive optical distribution network planner (106), the method comprising:
creating a plurality of groups of subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities present in the area;
planning an optical network between a plurality of groups of subscribers and a primary splitter present on a terminal of a first optical link originating from the access point;
planning the optical network between the plurality of subscribers present in a group of subscriber of the plurality of groups of subscribers and a secondary splitter present on a terminal of a second optical link originating from the primary splitter;
reconfiguring, a plurality of times, the plurality of groups of subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities by changing a primary splitting ratio and a secondary splitting ratio and creating a plurality of passive optical distribution network plans between the access points and the plurality of subscribers and determining a cost for each reconfigured plan to determine a cost optimized plan;
wherein a product of the primary splitting ratio and the secondary splitting ratio is same for each configuration.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the passive optical distribution network planner (106) restricts the reconfiguration of the plurality of groups of subscriber locations and passive optical distribution network supporting entities by a plurality of set points including, but not limited to, a maximum distance between the secondary splitter and the plurality of subscribers and a maximum overlap length between the first optical link, between the primary splitter and the secondary splitter and the second optical link, between secondary splitter and the plurality of subscribers.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the passive optical distribution network planner (106) determines the cost of the optical network predetermined feasibility parameters such as length of fibers between two electric poles, a percentage of sag of fiber between two electrical poles, and cost of fiber between electric poles and plurality of subscribers and a percentage of sag of fiber between the electric pole and the plurality of subscribers.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the passive optical distribution network planner (106) determines a location of the primary splitter and the secondary splitter by reconfiguration group restricting the plurality of set points and cost of the first optical link and the second optical link.