Water pipes as pre-existing conduits for fibre cable delivery - Communications, ftth, leak detection and asset protection

Abstract

This paper describes Atlantis Hydrotec, a new technique to deploy fibre optic infrastructure in a rapid and cost-effective fashion, using the potable water pipe infrastructure as a pre-existing conduit. The technique is 'pipe-within-a-pipe', where special purpose small bore Messenger Pipe is inserted into an existing water pipe. Fibre communications cable is placed into the Messenger Pipe, using standard fibreblowing techniques. Products are made from water-industry approved materials, and the Messenger Pipe fully isolates the fibre from the water, there is never any contact between the two and since the data is transmitted as light there is no electrical power, so the technique fulfils all public safety criteria. Variants of Atlantis Hydrotec cover all sizes of water pipe, from home-service supply pipes to large diameter trunkmains. The system is independent of the actual material of the water pipe, also independent of intervening surface-finish, ground conditions, terrain or run length. Applications cover FTTH home drops, distribution and access links and main fibre trunk. SMART Water Network application allows Next Generation interconnect of sensors/actuators/assets. Water pipes link Water Company assets, and communities, so they provide ready-made conduits to carry communications to exactly where needed. Atlantis Hydrotec is particularly appropriate for extraurban/rural locations, specifically where provision of good communications and fibre-optics is sparse, both from a Water Company and community fibre perspective. Fibre installed inside water pipes may also be used for highly accurate real-time leak detection helping Water Companies dramatically reduce losses and operating costs, and helping achievement of government performance targets.