Window: Device Box [FDB]


Device Box window (fig 1) displays detailed schematic diagram of FDB (Fiber Distribution Box) and allows us to connect cable fibers to connectors within FDB as well as making further connections, using patch cables, with various devices which can also be located in FDB.
When it comes to fiber-optics access networks (GPON), FDB is used to accept incoming fiber (coming from the CO) split it, using one or more cascading splitters, and than forward it to cables connecting end users (drop).

Besides that, we can use this window to organize or reorganize the structure of FDB itself. This includes adding new and/or deleting existing elements within FDB (modules, splitters, devices...).

 odo_ormar_01.png

Figure 1

Window can be opened in following manner:

  • by calling Splicing command and than clicking on a FDB symbol on a site plan drawing or
  • by double-clicking on a FDB symbol while we are on the schematic diagram (i.e.  TCG Optic View)
Tip:

You can navigate through Device Box window by using mouse wheel - roll to zoom (+/-) and press to move working area (pan).  
Double click on a wheel to zoom extent.
Level of details displayed depends on a zoom level - closer we are - display is more detailed.


Window elements

Device Box window is divided into three units:

  • Cables:
    On the left side there is a slide bar with a slider that contains all available cables.
    This means - all cables terminated at FDB be it incoming or outgoing
  • Connectors and splice box
    Central part is reserved for connectors that accept OSP cable fibers (on the left) as well as patch cables (on the right).
    On the bottom we shall find splice box which is used to directly splice fibers or to terminate unconnected fibers.
  • Devices
    On the right side there is a unit with devices (splitter, OLT, ONT...).
    Patch cables that connect devices with patch panel or splice box (central part) are located left from the devices.
    Patch cables that connect devices to each other are located right from the devices (i.e. cascading splitters).

All these units are displayed in a form of hierarchically organized elements.
Note: Elements marked with (*) do not have corresponding equivalent in the real world be it physical or logical.
These are merely TeleCAD-GIS auxiliary elements meant to facilitate ease of use.


Cables:

Cables are shown in a form of hierarchically organized elements:

  • Slide bar*
  • Slider*
  • Group of all cables*
  • Cable (individual)
  • Buffer tube
  • Fiber

Slider, which can be moved along the vertical axe, carries cables with their sub-elements.
The purpose of the slider is to enable moving cables closer to a location where the splicing is performed. Slider can be moved by double clicking on a slide bar or by dragging the slider.

Cables, buffer tubes and fibers can be moved (drag and drop).
By moving elements that contain sub-elements, sub-elements are moved too (i.e. by moving a cable, buffer tubes and fibers are moved too.)
The splicing is performed by dragging a fiber(s) to a connector(s) or to a splice points of a splice box.

 

odo_ormar_02.png

Figure 2

 

Connector panels:

Connector panels are shown in a form of hierarchically organized elements:

  • Top bar*
  • Chassis
  • Shelve / Vertical / Group
  • Module
  • Connectors

Al elements except a connector can be expanded or collapsed by a double click. This way we can adjust the display of elements to the needs of current activity.

Context menu can be opened by right clicking on an element.
It contains commands that are described further down the text.

 

odo_ormar_03.png

Figure 2

 

Splice box:

Splice box is shown in a form of hierarchically organized elements:

  • Top bar*
  • Splice box
  • Splice box display bar
  • "Green dot" - adds fiber splice point
  • Splices

 

Al elements except a splices can be expanded or collapsed by a double click. This way we can adjust the display of elements to the needs of current activity.

Context menu can be opened by right clicking on an element.
It contains commands that are described further down the text.

 

odo_ormar_04.png

Figure 3

 

Devices:

  • Slide bar*
  • Slider*
  • Top bar*
  • Device type
  • Device: Splitter, ONT, OLT
  • Grouping of type: In/Out
  • Connectors

Slider, which can be moved along the vertical axe, carries devices with their sub-elements.
The purpose of the slider is to enable moving devices closer to a location where the splicing is performed. Slider can be moved by double clicking on a slide bar or by dragging the slider.

Al elements except a connectors can be expanded or collapsed by a double click. This way we can adjust the display of elements to the needs of current activity.

Context menu can be opened by right clicking on an element.
It contains commands that are described further down the text.

 

 

 

odo_ormar_05.png

Figure 3

 


Usage

There are number of activities that can be performed while on the Device Box window.
Basic activities are:

(Instructions are on separate pages. Use offered links to access them.)


Commands

On the  FO splicing schematic window we can use number of commands.
They can be found at:

  • Main menu
  • Context menus (opened by a right click on various elements)
  • some commands are executed on a mouse double-click.


Main meny:

File > Save

Saves the changes made on the Device Box window.

File > Exit

Closes the Device Box window prompting us to save the changes.


Context menus - right click on a...

...right click on a Cable:

  • Exclusive edit
    Expands all elements of selected cable (i.e. buffer tubes and fibers) so that they and their connections become visible while collapsing all other cables. This way we can more easily focus on the fibers we are working with.
    At that moment, top bar displays Exclusive mode off command that turns off this mode.
  • Show cable
    Locates and displays on a site plan selected cable. Cable on the site plan shall also be selected at that point.
  • Expand tubes
    Expands all buffer tubes of the cable so that all its fibers become visible.
  • Collapse tubes
    Collapses all buffer tubes and thus hides the fibers of the cable.
    Buffer tubes are still visible.
  • Select connected fibers
    Selects cable fibers that are terminated on FDB ports or in its splice box.
    Tip: by selecting in this way and than by dragging the fibers back to cable (cable's white field) we can disconnect all cable's fibers in one move.
    While doing so, take great care not to unintentionally disconnect fibers you did not mean to disconnect!


odo_ormar_06.png

 

...right click on a Buffer Tube:

  • Expand fiber tube
    Expands buffer tube so that all its fibers become visible.
  • Collapse fiber tube
    Collapses buffer tube and thus hides the fibers.
    Buffer tube is still visible.
  • Exclusive edit
    Expands all elements of selected Buffer Tube (i.e. fibers) so that they and their connections become visible while collapsing all other cables and buffer tubes. This way we can more easily focus on the fibers we are working with.
    At that moment, top bar displays Exclusive mode off command that turns off this mode.
  • Select connected fibers
    Selects buffer tube fibers that are terminated on FDB ports or in its splice box.
    Tip: by selecting in this way and than by dragging the fibers back to cable (cable's white field) we can disconnect all buffer tube fibers in one move.
    While doing so, take great care not to unintentionally disconnect fibers you did not mean to disconnect!


odo_ormar_07.png

 

...right click on a Fiber:

  • Expand fiber tube
    Expands fiber's buffer tube so that all its fibers and connection paths become visible.
  • Collapse fiber tube
    Collapses fiber's buffer tube and thus hides the buffer tube fibers.
    Buffer tube is still visible.
  • Expand fiber tube exclusive
    Expands all elements of fiber's Buffer Tube (i.e. fibers) so that they and their connections become visible while collapsing all other cables and buffer tubes. This way we can more easily focus on the fibers we are working with.
    At that moment, top bar displays Exclusive mode off command that turns off this mode.
  • Collapse fiber tube
    Collapses fiber's buffer tube and thus hides the fibers of that tube.
    Buffer tube is still visible.


odo_ormar_08.png

 

...right click on a Connector:

  • Create Patch (Napravi peč kabl)
    Adds a patch cable (see more at: Adding a patch cable)
  • Zaključaj namjenu
    (outdated, now performed automatically when adding fiber circuit name)
  • Odključaj namjenu
    (removes newly added fiber circuit name or aborts changing the existing one) 
  • Izmjeni namjenu 
    (see more at: Add fiber circuit name)
  • Učitaj vlakno (this command is yet to be added!)
    Loads fiber circuit connected to a connector in question (including all elements along the fiber circuit (cables, terminals, splices...)). All elements, as far as uninterrupted fiber circuit goes including connections with patch cables are loaded into site plan drawing.


odo_ormar_12.png

 

The following set of commands, that can be invoked from the context menu, relates to several different hierarchically organized elements that make FDB inner structure.
The role of these elements is to accept fibers of OSP cables and inner patch cords. These are: patch panels, splitters, various other devices etc.
The last element in this hierarchy is a connector (i.e. port) whose context menu differs from these and is described earlier in the text (first passage above).

...right click on a Top bar, chassis or Group (Shelf, Vertical)

  • Collapse children
    Collapses selected element so that all of his sub-elements are no longer visible.
  • Expand connections
    Expands selected element so that his sub-elements become visible. Expansion reaches last element in the hierarchy (i.e. connector) but only for the elements with occupied connectors. If none of the element's connectors are occupied the element won't be expanded.
  • Edit
    Opens a new window where we can edit selected element's structure and its basic data (e.g. name). More details can be found at Organize FDB structure page.
  • Delete
    Deletes selected element together with all its sub-elements. Program won't allow deletion if just one element's connector is occupied (all must be free).
  • Add group
    Adds new Shelve/Group/Vertical
  • Add module
    Adds new module.

 

Note:
Commends Edit i Delete are only active for Shelve/Group/Vertical.

 


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...right click on a Module:

  • Collapse children
    Collapses selected element so that all of his sub-elements are no longer visible.
  • Expand connections
    Expands selected element so that his sub-elements become visible. Expansion reaches last element in the hierarchy (i.e. connector) but only for the elements with occupied connectors. If none of the element's connectors are occupied the element won't be expanded.
  • Move connections
    Enables module reorganization. Reorganization is performed by transferring the fiber-connector pair from one module to another (see more).
  • Paste
    Works in conjunction with Move connections command (see more).  
  • Edit
    Opens a new window where we can edit selected element's structure and its basic data (e.g. name).  More details here.
  • Delete
    Deletes selected element together with all its sub-elements. Program won't allow deletion if just one element's connector is occupied (all must be free).

odo_ormar_11.png

 

...right click on a Splice Box:

  • Collapse children
    Collapses selected element so that all of his sub-elements are no longer visible.
  • Expand connections
    Expands selected element so that his sub-elements become visible. Expansion reaches last element in the hierarchy (i.e. splice).
  • Edit
    Command is disabled in this case.
  • Delete
    Command is disabled in this case.


odo_ormar_15.png

 

...right click on a Splice box display bar:

  • Collapse children
    Collapses selected element so that all of his sub-elements are no longer visible.
  • Expand connections
    Expands selected element so that his sub-elements become visible. Expansion reaches last element in the hierarchy (i.e. connector) but only for the elements with occupied connectors. If none of the element's connectors are occupied the element won't be expanded.
  • Move connections
    Enables transfer of connections from splice box to modules. Reorganization is made by moving fiber-connector pair  (see more)
  • Paste
    Works in conjunction with Move connections command (see more).  
  • Edit
    Command is disabled in this case.
  • Delete
    Command is disabled in this case.


odo_ormar_16.png

 

...right click on a "Green dot" bar:

  • Add > ...
    Adds selected number (1, 6, 12...) of splices i.e. points where splicing can be performed.
    Note: By dragging a number of cable fibers or patch cables to the left or right side of the green dot program automatically generates required number of splices.


odo_ormar_17.png

 

...right click on a Device type or Top bar:

  • Collapse children
    Collapses selected element so that all of his sub-elements are no longer visible.
  • Expand connections
    Expands selected element so that his sub-elements become visible. Expansion reaches last element in the hierarchy (i.e. connector) but only for the elements with occupied connectors. If none of the element's connectors are occupied the element won't be expanded.
  • Add device
    Adds a new device.


odo_ormar_19.png

odo_ormar_18.png

 

 

...right click on a Device:

  • Collapse children
    Collapses selected element so that all of his sub-elements are no longer visible.
  • Expand connections
    Expands selected element so that his sub-elements become visible. Expansion reaches last element in the hierarchy (i.e. connector) but only for the elements with occupied connectors. If none of the element's connectors are occupied the element won't be expanded.
  • Move connections
    Transfers connections from one device to another (see more).
  • Paste
    Works in conjunction with Move connections command (see more).
  • Edit
    Opens a new window where we can edit selected element's structure and its basic data (e.g. name). More details can be found at Organize FDB structure page.
  • Add clone
    Creates a new element based on the selected one.
  • Delete
    Deletes selected element together with all its sub-elements. Program won't allow deletion if just one element's connector is occupied (all must be free).


odo_ormar_20.png

 

...right click on a Input ports bar

  • Collapse children
    Collapses selected connectors (in or out).
  • Expand connections
    Expands selected connectors.


odo_ormar_21.png

 

...right click on a Out ports bar:

  • Create patch (Napravi peč kabl)
    Creates a new patch cable.

    A cable can be created to the left and to the right of a device.
    Cables to the right are used to connect devices between themselves while cables on the left are for making connections between devices and patch panel of the FDO or with splice box.


odo_ormar_22.png

 

...right click on a Patch cable connector:

  • Odspoji peč kabl
    Disconnects patch cable from the connector.
  • Obriši peč kabl
    Deletes the patch cable from the FDB.
  • Other side ensure visible
    Expands collapsed elements to which other end of the patch cable is connected so that the entire connection is visible.
  • Other side ensure visible / collapse other
    Expands collapsed elements to which other end of the patch cable is connected while collapsing all other elements so that the entire connection is visible and visually isolated from other connections.


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