Inside the TE, these cables would terminate and patch to a 48-port PoE optical network terminal (ONT) or the healthcare system's preferred network equipment (e.g., Cisco, Extreme, Aruba). An SFP or SFP+ module for PON/POL would be used (SFP for GPON, SFP+ for XGS-PON). The TE would then connect via singlemode optical fiber to either the serving TR or directly to the telecommunications ER. Using a 1x16 or 2x16 splitter (possibly 1x32 or 2x32), the TE would cross-connect to the optical network unit (ONU) or optical line terminal (OLT), which would ideally reside in the telecommunications ER and connect to the enterprise network. This PON/POL integration would significantly reduce cabling in existing TRs, potentially revitalizing existing space. For pathways, using microduct directly from the telecommunications ER to the TE would be efficient, though not always practical. A recommended approach is microduct from the telecommunications ER to the TR, then from the TR to the TE. This allows for quicker, easier optical fiber installation and granular pathway control. Imagine serving an entire patient bed floor with six to eight strands of backbone singlemode optical fiber – it is possible with PON/POL technology and modern network equipment. Given the average U.S. hospital has approximately 129 patient beds, a single 1x32 or 2x32 splitter could potentially serve 32 TEs on a floor, with each TE serving two patient rooms, totaling about 64 rooms per backbone optical fiber strand. Of course, numerical nuances for dual-homed network equipment, bandwidth, and optical loss calculations exist, and other TR equipment serving non-patient room areas must still be accounted for. However, the scalability is evident. Power is crucial. Most TEs can house a standard 120V/20A duplex or double-duplex outlet. However, depending on existing electrical systems, a hospital may lack sufficient panel capacity for new circuits, or adding them could be expensive due to conduits, wiring, labor, and operational downtime for panel shutdowns. This is where FMP shines. Like PON/POL, FMP can feed power directly to the TE from the telecommunications ER, assuming adequate rack space and power are available. Adding necessary circuits
in the telecommunications ER might be easier and less expensive than in each TE. Pathway capacity from the telecommunications ER could be a challenge. Therefore, it is recommended to utilize the space gained in the TR (due to reduced cabling) to serve electrical needs. CONCLUSION The ideas presented here, while theoretical, offer logical possibilities. Healthcare is, and will remain, a vital and growing industry. In the highly competitive and regulated healthcare sector, patient safety, quality of care, and costs must be balanced with business workflow, access to new technology, and provider well-being. Technology has propelled healthcare forward, and with the imminent, widespread adoption of AI, IoT, and their integration into care delivery, Layer 1 technology must keep pace. The current technology options hold the potential to meet this need. One could argue that the primary barrier to adoption is trust, which is understandable. No healthcare system wants to risk negative publicity or the potential for a catastrophic failure. However, other similar industries have adopted some of these technologies and undoubtedly learned valuable lessons. This leads to the final question: What prevents healthcare ICT professionals from collaborating and learning from other industries that have taken this leap?
FIGURE 10 : An FMP packet energy transfer model. Source: VoltServer
PUTTING IT TOGETHER: THE FUTURE LANDSCAPE AND THE HOSPITAL OF TOMORROW The existing technologies described – PON, microduct pathways, zone enclosures, and FMP – each address the imperative trinity of space, pathways, and power. Without these, the "hospital room of the future" concept has no merit. The goal is to integrate these technologies as a complete suite or in strategic combination for a holistic solution, starting with the patient room, evolving into a smart room with 15 to 25 devices, each requiring a twisted pair cable. These relatively short cables would pass through the patient room's smoke or fire compartment via conduit and terminate in a TE, either in a wall or ceiling.
rewiring), and Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas (a 35-story resort using FMP as its backbone power infrastructure for lights, network equipment, in-room climate controls, and wireless access points). For a hospital, transmitters could be installed in a centralized telecommunications ER, powered by redundant, centralized uninterruptible power systems (UPS) or other resilient sources. FMP could then be distributed to individual TRs or TEs and their required receivers, powering necessary equipment to extend the network where needed, with relative ease. Alternatively, FMP transmitters could be strategically installed in a TR for subsequent distribution. The core idea is to power network equipment that then powers the end device using FMP. (Figure 11).
In the highly competitive and regulated healthcare sector, patient safety, quality of care, and costs must be balanced with business workflow, access to new technology, and provider well-being.
FIGURE 11 : Diagram showing how FMP could transmit power through network equipment to end devices. Source: VoltServer
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