A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing electrical charge to residents of a controlled-environment facility. In an embodiment, a charging station may be provided in an area accessible to an inmate to allow charging of in an inmate smart device, such as a phone or tablet. In an embodiment, a portable charger may be provided to an inmate for charging a smart device.

An apparatus includes a connector for coupling a cable comprising at least one optical fiber and at least one electrical wire to an optical module at a network communications device, the connector comprising an electrical contact plate for engagement with an electrical contact on the optical module, and a ferrule for receiving the at least one optical fiber. The electrical contact plate is configured for electrically coupling the at least one electrical wire to the electrical contact on the optical module for delivery of power through the optical module.

An apparatus includes a connector for coupling a cable comprising at least one optical fiber and at least one electrical wire to an optical module at a network communications device, the connector comprising an electrical contact plate for engagement with an electrical contact on the optical module, and a ferrule for receiving the at least one optical fiber. The electrical contact plate is configured for electrically coupling the at least one electrical wire to the electrical contact on the optical module for delivery of power through the optical module.

A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.

A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.

Techniques are provided for diminishing power loss in electrical conductors used to provide electrical power to a radio configured to use time domain duplexing (TDD). Because the TDD radio typically transmits data during a downlink subframe, the TDD radio generally consumes more power, and thus draws more current through the electrical conductors, then during an uplink subframe when the TDD radio is configured to receive. Thus, during the downlink subframe, a DC voltage, output by a DC-DC voltage converter to the electrical conductors, is increased to lessen current drawn by the radio through the electrical conductors. As a result, power loss in the electrical conductors is reduced.

Techniques are provided for diminishing power loss in electrical conductors used to provide electrical power to a radio configured to use time domain duplexing (TDD). Because the TDD radio typically transmits data during a downlink subframe, the TDD radio generally consumes more power, and thus draws more current through the electrical conductors, then during an uplink subframe when the TDD radio is configured to receive. Thus, during the downlink subframe, a DC voltage, output by a DC-DC voltage converter to the electrical conductors, is increased to lessen current drawn by the radio through the electrical conductors. As a result, power loss in the electrical conductors is reduced.