When designing and deploying aerial fiber optic networks, it is critical to know a lot about the existing attachments on the poles: what other cables (power, phone, cable TV) are already there and at what heights. This information affects the available space and potential make-ready work.
Telephone poles have been mapped in many different ways over the years. Manual measurements have been taken by holding a telescoping height stick held next to a pole, which would be photographed with a range finder. Additionally, specialized equipment has been calibrated to take these measurements.
But with ISPs rolling out fiber at an unprecedented pace, it is imperative that field teams move more quickly to collect data for designing these networks.
“The methods for mapping poles have required either low tech or expensive purpose-built equipment, which constantly needed recalibration,” Zachary Raboin, co-Founder & CTO at D8Averse, said. “After suffering through years of using this clunky technology, we decided there had to be a better way to map poles.”
To meet this challenge, D8Acapture’s engineers designed augmented reality software, which allows crews to instantly map telephone poles for fiber deployment. The new iPhone app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, places an augmented-reality generated height stick up next to the pole. The resulting picture shows the locations of all of the attachments on the pole, informing the engineer that, for example, telco cable is at 11 feet, 4 inches; a cross arm is at 15 feet, 1 inch; and then a power line has an attachment at 16 feet, 8 inches.
The D8Acapture mobile app empowers teams to capture, analyze and manage pole data with unprecedented speed, accuracy, and affordability, according to Raboin. “So, it’s a really, really fast, simple, streamlined way of collecting data of what’s on the poles, using just an iPhone, no specialized equipment,” he said.
To capture precise location information, D8Acapture uses GPS and Google Satellite View, high-resolution photos, and customizable pole attributes directly in the field. D8Acapture can be integrated with existing systems via API to automate data transfer and eliminate data silos.
D8aCapture reduces operational expenses associated with manual data entry, return trips, and inefficient processes associated with tower mapping, according to Raboin. It is priced to be affordable for organizations of all sizes and reduces labor costs because a single technician can perform tasks that previously required two-person crews.
“D8aCapture eliminates the complexities and high costs traditionally associated with pole data management, delivering a solution that’s accessible, affordable, and incredibly easy to use,” Raboin said. “Our goal is to empower every telecom and utility professional to work smarter, faster, and more cost-effectively.”
D8Acapture’s capabilities have been tested by a major cable provider in a proof-of-concept project involving over 8,000 utility poles, further validating in real-world deployments.
If interested in learning more about D8Acapture visit www.d8averse.com.
