ITS Brown-field network design examples for Exchange area

About this Fiber optic, FTTH, passive network article.
This document describes Fiber Optic solutions for the passive part of a FTTH network:
1. FTTH: OF cables / Micro-duct solution within the existing duct system.
2. FTTC/VDSL2+: 1 tube with 4 fibers per Cabinet, network within the existing duct system.

Included is a summary of the required materials and labor quantities for the proposed network
solutions from Exchange <=> Cabinets.

Libya FTTH exchange area – fiber optic central office and service area planning with ITSimplicity software
Exchange area with existing cabinet locations

Coordinates:
All designs are made with real coordinates and real dimensions (m).

This network concept design:
The micro-duct and blown cable system:
The network is based on the existing ducts and new installed micro-ducts.
The proposed direct buried micro-ducts can be installed into the existing duct.
Concepts:
1:
FTTH: OF cables / Micro-duct solution within the existing duct system.
Micro-duct 1 is used for the current fibre demand per Cabinet, the current cable installation.
Micro-duct 2 is spare for the future cable installation as calculated per Cabinet.
2:
FTTC/VDSL2+: OF cables / Micro-duct solution within the existing duct system.
Micro-duct 1 per Cabinet a Micro-duct is used for a single 4 OF cable.
Micro-duct 2 is spare for any future cable installation.
The usage of (direct buried) micro-ducts:

Disadvantages of a micro-duct and blown cable system:

  • Cable blowing equipment is required.
  • Extra costs for material & installation of the micro-ducts.
  • Extra installation action / time.


Advantages of a micro-duct and blown cable system:

  • Timing: installation of the micro-ducts can be done by other teams and at an earlier stage. The
    micro-ducts are connected all the way from the cabinet to each individual DP.
  • Simple straight micro-duct connectors are sufficient.
  • Fast & controlled installation: no pulling of the cable, cable abuse etc. Installation of a cable is a
    matter of blowing from the cabinet position all the way to the DP.
  • Less chance of cable damage / havoc: there is no need for cables on roll / cable drums above
    ground at night, during the installation period.
  • Spare micro-ducts for future expansion can be installed anywhere along the routes.
  • Less expensive cables required.

 

Calculation of the fibre demand per Cabinet for the FTTH solution

Overview of the designed cabinets.

Libya FTTH table with subscriber and fiber demands for designed cabinets – network planning with ITSimplicity software
Calculation table with the designed cable per cabinet

Calculation per Cabinet of the future fiber demand.

Libya FTTH table for the exchange with future fiber demand per cabinet – network planning using ITSimplicity software
Calculated future fiber demand per cabinet

Picture, micro-duct design:
FTTH: OF cables / Micro-duct solution within the existing duct system.
Cabinets are grouped/coloured per 7x14mm Micro-duct.

Each Cabinet has at least two 14mm Micro-ducts:
1. Micro-duct 1 is used for the current fibre demand per Cabinet, the current cable installation.
2. Micro-duct 2 is spare for the future cable installation.

Libya FTTH exchange duct design – backbone fiber duct layout with ITSimplicity software
Cabinets are grouped per 7/14mm micro-duct

Cassettes & Splices calculation.

Libya FTTH table with fiber demands of feeder cables – network planning and capacity analysis with ITSimplicity software
Cassettes and splices calculation per cabinet

Feeder Cable lengths table.

Libya FTTH exchange fiber feeder cable lengths table – backbone cable planning with ITSimplicity software
Cable type and length from each Cabinet to the Exchange

BOQ, quantities.

Libya FTTH exchange cabinets BOQ quantities report – bill of quantities generated with ITSimplicity software
BOQ report for the primary part of the Exchange area

Green-field&Brown-field network design example for cabinet area HA-10.
This part describes some Fiber Optic solutions for the passive part of a FTTH network for an HA-10 area with 400 homes/FTU/ONT’s.
Included is a summary of the required materials and labour quantities for the proposed network solutions
from Exchange <=> Subscribers.

Picture, cabinet area HA-10:

There is one Exchange projected (Blue/green square bottom left).
There is one existing copper cabinet (Red dot).

Libya FTTH brownfield and greenfield design – fiber optic network planning and rollout with ITSimplicity software

Green-field/brown-field network design for cabinet area HA-10.
Distribution point / DP 1:1 connections
Cabinet / CAB 1:1 & 1:8 &1:32 connections

Libya FTTH greenfield design – fiber optic network planning and optimization with ITSimplicity software

The subscriber locations are based on an even spread of subscribers within the HA-10 area.
No actual detailed survey was made, all building entry point locations and the amount of FTU/ONT per building are based on our assumptions.

Libya FTTH greenfield area demand table – fiber optic network design and planning with ITSimplicity software
Libya FTTH greenfield area – fiber optic network design and planning with ITSimplicity software
FTTH software demand table for Libya greenfield area – fiber optic network planning and design visualization
Libya FTTH greenfield area design – fiber optic network planning with ITSimplicity software

This network concept design.
The micro-duct and blown cable system:
The network is based on the existing ducts and/or new direct-buried micro ducts.
The proposed direct buried micro-ducts can be installed as direct-buried or in the existing duct.
Per Subscriber:
The drop-cable: a 2 OF cable with 1 live + 1 spare optical fibre
In the DP/GCO:
Per subscriber 1 fibre is spliced to the distribution cable.
There are no splitters planned in the DP.
In the Cabinet:
Splitters are located in the Cabinet only (1:8 / 1:32)
From the Cabinet<=>Exchange:
Feeder cable planned for the current demand with an empty micro-duct for future cable installation.

The usage of direct buried micro-ducts:
Disadvantages:
-Cable blowing equipment is required.
-Extra costs for material & installation of the micro-ducts.
-Extra installation action / time.
Advantages:
-Timing: installation of the micro-ducts can be done by other teams and at an earlier stage. The
micro-ducts are connected all the way from the cabinet to each individual DP.
-No need for hand-holes etc. Simple straight micro-duct connectors are sufficient.
-No need for expensive ducting.
-Fast & controlled installation: no pulling of the cable, cable abuse etc.

-Installation of a cable is a matter of blowing from the cabinet position all the way to the DP.
-Less chance of cable damage / havoc: there is no need for cables on roll / cable drums above ground at night, during the installation period.
-Spare micro-ducts for future expansion can be installed anywhere along the routes.
-Less expensive cables required.

Concept:
Tertiary network: Distribution point <=> Subcribers
Brown-field:
Existing duct
Per Subscriber: Cable: a 2 OF cable with 1 live + 1 spare optical fibre
Green-field:
Direct buried micro-duct 1 x 7mm (sideway-building)
Direct buried micro-duct 12 x 7mm
Per Subscriber:
Cable: a 2 OF micro-duct cable with 1 live + 1 spare optical fibre
Brown-field & Green-field:
Per DP:
Maximum 24 subscribers (23 designed + 1 spare)
Average for this area: 20 subscribers + 4 spare per DP (400subscribers/20DP’s)
Per subscriber/ tertiary cable 1 fibre is spliced to the secondary cable at the time of installation.
In the Dp are no splitters planned.
All subscribers get a dedicated fibre connection from the home to the Cabinet.

Concept:
Secondary network: Cabinet <=> Distribution points
Brown-field:
Existing duct
Cable: per DP a 24 OF cable with max 23 live + 1 spare optical fibres
Optional:
Within the existing duct installed: direct buried micro-duct: 7 x 14mm or 2 x 14mm
Green-field:
Direct buried micro-duct: 7 x 14mm and 2 x 14mm
Cable: per DP a 24 OF micro-duct cable with max 23 live + 1 spare optical fibres
Brown-field & Green-field:
The HA-10 Cabinet:
Capacity 400 subscribers (20 DP’s)

Libya FTTH greenfield area demand table – fiber optic network design and planning with ITSimplicity software

The Cabinet:

Manipulation is done in the cabinet. (Bandwidth , connect/dis-connect) 

Concept:

Feeder network, connecting Exchange with Cabinet HA-10:

Brown-field & Green-field:

Libya FTTH greenfield area demand table – fiber optic network demand analysis with ITSimplicity software

For Cabinet HA-10:
Cable: a 72 OF micro-duct cable with 55 live + 17 spare optical fibres (for future 1:1 or 1:8)
Duct: direct buried micro-duct: minimum 2 x 14mm (1 occupied + 1 spare)
[In this design a 7 x 14mm direct buried micro-duct is used combined with the secondary network]

Libya FTTH greenfield area demand table for Cabinet HA-10 – fiber optic network planning with ITSimplicity software

Future expansion:
207 (max 210)
Per cabinet additional 144 OF micro-duct cable(s) can be installed (for future 1:1 or 1:8 subscribers)
in the spare 14mm micro-duct.
The combined (current+future) fibre count is: 216 OF (72 OF + 144 OF) which is sufficient for HA-10.
200 fibres (1:1 for 50 % of 400) + 7 fibres (1:32 for 50% of 400)

Design:
Tertiary network DP area’s:
Brown-field and Green-field Dp area’s and locations are the same in this document.

Libya FTTH greenfield area demand table per distribution point – fiber optic network design with ITSimplicity software

Tertiary network CABLES:
Brown-field and Green-field tertiary cable designs are the same in this document.
Amounts:
Distribution points: 20
Total 2 OF drop cable length: 30850m (26850m + 400x10m for indoor, splicing, etc)
For 400 subcribers: 77m is the average 2 OF dropcable length per subscriber.

Picture, tertiary cable network for cabinet area HA-10.
Proposed distribution points, 2 OF drop-cables, estimated entry points (subscribers)

Libya FTTH greenfield area tertiary design for a cabinet – fiber optic network layout with ITSimplicity software
Tertiary cable network for cabinet area HA-10.

Picture: detail for DP number: DP-HA-10-01
Distribution Point number: DP-HA-10-01
22 live incoming fibres / 44 outgoing (drop) fibres (22 subscribers) -NO splitters in the DP
Green symbol: 1:32 subscriber
Blue symbol: 1:8 subscriber
Red symbol:1:1 subscriber

Libya FTTH greenfield area tertiary design zoom for a distribution point – fiber optic network layout with ITSimplicity software
Detail for DP number: DP-HA-10-01

Design:
Tertiary network DUCTS:

Brown-field tertiary duct network for cabinet area HA-10.
Default: The cables are directly installed / pulled into the existing duct network.
Amounts:
1x7mm: 0 m
12x7mm: 0 m

Green-field tertiary duct network for cabinet area HA-10.
Proposed micro-duct can be installed as direct buried without any other ducts, hand-holes etc.
Amounts:
1x7mm: 2838m (400 lengths, average length: 7.1m)
12x7mm: 4132m (40 lengths, 2 per DP, average length: 103.3m)

Picture, Green-field tertiary micro-duct network for cabinet area HA-10
Direct buried micro-duct 1 x 7mm (sideway-subscriber / garden trench)
Direct buried micro-duct 12 x 7mm (sideway / main trench)

Libya FTTH greenfield duct network design for a cabinet area – automated fiber optic infrastructure with ITSimplicity software
Green-field tertiary micro-duct network for cabinet area HA-10

Design:
Secondary network CABLES:

Brown-field:
Existing cabinet position.
Amounts:
Distribution points: 20
Total 24 OF cable length: 5338m (including 20x10m additional cable length for splicing.)
Average 24 OF cable length from CabinetDP: 267m
About the Brown-field design:
It is very well possible that the existing duct is also located in this RED LINE area.
In that case the total distribution cable quantities are lower. (-346m 24 OFC)
Total 24 OF cable length: 4992m (including 20x10m additional cable length for splicing.)
Average 24 OF cable length from Cabinet<=>DP: 249m

Libya FTTH brownfield area duct network – fiber optic infrastructure planning with ITSimplicity software
Optional in the red rectangle is a now missing duct

Green-field:
Optimized cabinet position.
Amounts:
Distribution points: 20
Total 24 OF cable length: 4856m (including 20x10m additional cable length for splicing.)
Average 24 OF cable length from Cabinet<=>DP: 243m

Picture, Brown-field secondary cable network for cabinet area HA-10.
Existing cabinet position, 24 OF distribution cables, proposed distribution points

Libya FTTH brownfield area secondary cable network – fiber optic routing and connectivity with ITSimplicity software
Brown-field secondary cable network for cabinet area HA-10

Picture, Brown-field detail for Cabinet number HA-10.
55 live incoming fibres / 480 outgoing (distr) fibres (for 20 Dp’s x 24 OF)
(400 subscribers) [40 fibres 1:1] [5 fibres 1:8] [10 fibres 1:32]

Libya FTTH brownfield area cabinet zoom – detailed fiber optic cabinet design with ITSimplicity software
Brown-field design detail for Cabinet number HA-10.

Picture, Green-field secondary cable network for cabinet area HA-10.
Optimized cabinet position, 24 OF distribution cables, proposed distribution points.

Libya FTTH greenfield optimized cabinet position – automated fiber optic network planning with ITSimplicity software
Green-field secondary cable network for cabinet area HA-10.

Secondary network DUCTS:


Brown-field secondary duct network for cabinet area HA-10.
Default:
The cables are directly installed / pulled into the existing duct network.
Amounts:
7x14mm: 0 m
2x14mm: 0 m
Optional:
Duct: secondary part, direct buried micro-duct: 7 x 14mm and 2 x 14mm
Optional micro-ducts can be installed into the existing duct.
From the proposed cabinet position towards Gergarish Main Road is a combined duct route for the secondary and the primary network.
Amounts:
7x14mm: 776 m
[7x14mm: 468 m (single usage, secondary part)]
[7x14mm: 308 m (combined usage with primary part)]
2x14mm: 2234 m


Green-field secondary direct buried micro-duct network for cabinet area HA-10.
Duct: secondary part, direct buried micro-duct: 7 x 14mm and 2 x 14mm
Proposed micro-duct can be installed as direct buried or in duct.
From the proposed cabinet position towards Gergarish Main Road is a combined duct route for the
secondary and the primary network.
Amounts:
7x14mm: 770 m
[7x14mm: 343 m (single usage, secondary part)]
[7x14mm: 427 m (combined usage with primary part)]
2x14mm: 2184 m

Brown-field Optional: the usage of micro-ducts within the existing duct is optional.
Picture, Brown-field optional secondary micro-ducts from Cabinet HA-10<=>Distribution points

Libya FTTH brownfield duct network – fiber optic infrastructure design with ITSimplicity software
Brown-field optional secondary micro-ducts from Cabinet HA-10Distribution points

Picture, Brown-field optional secondary micro-ducts from Cabinet HA-10<=>Distribution points

Libya FTTH brownfield cabinet zoom – detailed fiber optic cabinet layout with ITSimplicity software
Brown-field optional secondary micro-ducts from Cabinet HA-10Distribution points

Green-field secondary micro-duct from Cabinet HA-10<=>Distribution points

Picture, Green-field secondary micro-duct usage from optimized location, Cabinet HA-10<=>Distribution points

Libya FTTH greenfield secondary duct network – fiber optic infrastructure layout with ITSimplicity software
Green-field secondary micro-duct usage from Cabinet HA-10Distribution points
Libya FTTH greenfield cabinet zoom – detailed fiber optic cabinet design with ITSimplicity software
Green-field secondary micro-duct usage from Cabinet HA-10Distribution points

Primary network CABLES:

Brown-field primary cable network for cabinet area HA-10.
Exchange position, 72 OF feeder cable, existing cabinet position in HA-10.
Amounts:
Current:
72 OF cable length: 601m (including 10m for splicing etc.)
Future, planned:
144 OF cable length: 601m (including 10m for splicing etc.)

Green-field primary cable network for cabinet area HA-10.
Exchange position, 72 OF feeder cable, optimized cabinet position in HA-10.
Amounts:
Current:
72 OF cable length: 722m (including 10m for splicing etc.)
Future, planned:
144 OF cable length: 722m (including 10m for splicing etc.)

Libya FTTH brownfield primary feeder from exchange to cabinet – backbone fiber network design with ITSimplicity software Title:
Brown-field primary cable for cabinet area HA-10.

Detail for the Exchange:
At this stage only the cabinet in HA-10 is connected with a 72 OFC:
55 incoming live fibres / 72 total incoming fibres (400 subcribers)

Libya FTTH greenfield primary feeder from exchange to cabinet – backbone fiber network design with ITSimplicity software
Green-field primary cable for cabinet HA-10 at the optimized location.

Detail for the Exchange:
At this stage only the cabinet in HA-10 is connected with a 72 OFC:
55 incoming live fibres / 72 total incoming fibres (400 subcribers)

Primary network DUCTS:

Brown-field primary duct network from Exchange to cabinet area HA-10.
Default:
The cables are directly installed / pulled into the existing duct network.
Amounts:
7x14mm: 0 m
Optional:
Duct: primary part, micro-duct: 7 x 14mm and 2 x 14mm
Optional micro-ducts can be installed into the existing duct.
From the existing cabinet position towards Gergarish Main Road is a combined duct route for the
secondary and the primary network.
Amounts primary part:
7x14mm: 294 m
[7x14mm: 294 m (single usage, primary part)]
[7x14mm: 308 m (combined with secondary, already calculated with secondary part)]


Green-field primary direct buried micro-duct network from Exchange to cabinet area HA-10.
From the optimized cabinet position towards Gergarish Main Road is a combined duct route for the secondary and the primary network.
Amounts:
7x14mm: 294 m
[7x14mm: 294 m (single usage, secondary part)]
[7x14mm: 427 m (combined with secondary, already calculated with secondary part)]

Libya FTTH brownfield and greenfield primary duct from exchange to cabinet – backbone fiber duct network with ITSimplicity software

Trench:

Brown-field, existing ducts/trenches used for the FTTH network for cabinet area HA-10.
Amounts:
No new trenching.

Green-field, trenches required for the FTTH network for cabinet area HA-10.
Amounts:
Garden/drop trench: 1282 m
Sideway/Main trench: 4412 m
Road-crossing trench: 240 m (32 road-crossings)
Additional Sideway/Main trench: 176 m (Exchange<=>tertiary network)


Picture, Green-field, trench for the FTTH network for cabinet area HA-10.

Libya FTTH greenfield trench network – fiber optic civil works and infrastructure planning with ITSimplicity software
Green-field, trench for the FTTH network for cabinet area HA-10.

Example with geomap:
Picture, Green-field network design in Autocad Map 3D.

Libya FTTH greenfield network design – automated fiber optic planning with ITSimplicity software
Green-field network design in Autocad Map 3D.
Libya FTTH greenfield network design cabinet zoom – detailed fiber cabinet layout with ITSimplicity software
Green-field network design in Autocad Map 3D.
Libya FTTH greenfield network design on Google Earth – fiber optic planning visualization with ITSimplicity software
Green-field network design, optimized Cabinet position & secondary network in Google Earth.

If it would be allowed to connect subscribers directly to the cabinet:
-More 2 OFC drop/subscriber cable
-Less DP’s (DP materials & installation, splicing etc.)
-Less Distribution cable
Brown-field 18 DP design with direct Cabinet<=>Subscribers connections:
Total 2 OFC drop cable length: 31311 m (27311 m + 400 x 10 m for indoor, splicing, etc)
+461 m (more) 2 OFC than with the 20 DP design.
For 400 subscribers: 78 m is the average 2 OF drop-cable length per subscriber. -87 m (less) distribution cable (24 OFC) compared with the 20 DP design -2 DP’s (less) (DP materials & installation, splicing etc.)


Picture. Brown-field: subscribers directly connected to the cabinet.

Libya-FTTH brownfield network design connections direct to Cabinet
Brown-field: subscribers directly connected to the cabinet.

Green-field 18 DP design with direct Cabinet<=>Subscribers connections:
Total 2 OFC drop cable length: 30912 m (26912 m + 400 x 10 m for indoor, splicing, etc) +62 m (more) 2 OFC than with the 20 DP design.
For 400 subscribers: 77 m is the average 2 OF drop-cable length per subscriber. -5 m (less) Micro-duct 12 x 7 mm . -46 m (less) distribution cable (24 OFC) compared with the 20 DP design -2 DP’s (less) (DP materials & installation, splicing etc.)

Picture. Green-field: subscribers directly connected to the cabinet.

Libya FTTH greenfield network design with direct connections to cabinet – fiber optic routing using ITSimplicity software
Green-field: subscribers directly connected to the cabinet.

BOQ for the different designs.

Libya FTTH BOQ for design variations – bill of quantities generated with ITSimplicity fiber network software
BOQ for the different designs.
Libya FTTH BOQ for design variations – automated bill of quantities with ITSimplicity fiber network software

About this network design.
The network design and the related Bill of Quantities are automatically made with the ITSimplicity Solutions BV optimization software using advanced optimization algorithms.

The optimization makes approx. 1 million calculations per 100 homes to calculate: the manipulation point areas and central positions and to design the best network routes. By doing this considerable savings are made for material and installations costs. This also results in less digging and less expensive road crossings.

Procedure for this network design:
Get the maximum amount of local info (survey info, technical data etc)
Find the correct coordinate system
Get the Google Earth & BING maps automatically in Autocad/Autocad Map3d
Prepare the data in Autocad with the ITS-NetOptimus toolbar (entry points, possible routes)
Create the design automatically with the Optimization software ITS-NetOptimus
Import back into Autocad/Autocad Map3d
Use the ITS network concept module for GPON/splitter/splices/cassettes etc. calculations
Manipulate text, labeling, colouring etc
Create the BOM & BOQ quantities and costs reports automatically
Create the splicing schematics and show the network in Google Earth & GIS