SBIR Phase II: An Economic Optical Fiber Solution to the Last Mile Problem

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目开发了一种新的方法来分配“最后一英里”的光纤通信线路。现有的光纤安装方法，如挖沟，需要广泛的批准，而且劳动密集型、破坏性和成本高昂，特别是在服务不足或偏远地区。“最后一英里”光纤是所有设备中最昂贵的部件，市场价值超过500亿美元。这一解决方案能够快速、低成本地将光纤直接部署到路面上，而不需要切割路面，有效地将屏障变成了通道。这一新方法将使无处不在的光纤连接成为可能，并将扩大光纤网络的覆盖范围，穿过最后一英里。通过降低光纤部署成本和提高效率，该技术将加快5G的铺设，实现智慧城市增长，并为农村地区提供宽带接入。该解决方案将快速通信的优势扩展到以前无法访问的位置，连接企业、家庭、医院和学校，为每个人提供获取信息、知识和机会的途径。该项目的智力优势在于验证了一种利用现有道路网络的新光纤安装方法。以路面为基础，将低轮廓光缆粘合到表面，并通过耐用涂层层保护其免受交通和天气的影响。光纤链路可以通过不需要挖掘和最小中断的安装机器按需快速安装。该项目的研究目标是在现场建造和测试三台样机，并在设计上迭代。这项研究包括使用机器安装光纤，测试路面过渡，并将成本和速度与其他安装技术进行比较。预期的技术成果将扩大对机器效用的理解，改进用户界面，验证适宜性，并验证经济学。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project develops a new method to distribute “last mile” fiber optic communication lines. Existing fiber installation methods like trenching require extensive approvals and are labor-intensive, disruptive, and cost-prohibitive, especially in underserved or remote areas. “Last mile” fiber is the most expensive part of any installation with a market valued at over $50 billion. This solution enables a quick, low-cost deployment of optical fiber directly onto pavement without cutting into the surface, effectively turning a barrier into a pathway. This new method will enable ubiquitous fiber optic connectivity and will expand the reach of fiber optic networks through the “last mile”. By lowering fiber deployment costs and improving efficiency, this technology will accelerate the rollout of 5G, enable smart city growth, and deliver broadband access to rural areas. This solution extends the benefits of fast communications to previously inaccessible locations, connecting businesses, homes, hospitals, and schools, providing access to information, knowledge, and opportunity for everyone.The intellectual merit of this project is to validate a new fiber installation method leveraging existing road networks. Using pavement as the base, low-profile fiber cables are bonded to the surface and protected against traffic and weather by layers of durable coatings. Fiber links can be installed quickly on-demand with an installation machine that requires no digging and minimal disruption. The research objectives of this project are to build and test three prototype machines in the field and to iterate on design. The research includes using the machines to install fiber, test pavement transitions, and compare costs and speed against other installation techniques. The anticipated technical results will expand understanding of machine utility, improve the user interface, verify the suitability, and validate economics.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.