Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of customer premises equipment (CPE) comprising a physical connector (21) for linking to a broadband network and a distributing structure (NTU, 24) that is connected to said physical connector for distributing broadband elements over one or more service modules (RGUs A, B, C, D) for associated customer modules (CUEs E, F, G, H). According to the invention, said distributing structure (NTU, 24) comprises a plurality of mechanically modularly arranged connector facilities (25) at an interface between the distributing structure and the service modules so as to provide a repeatedly mechanically exchangeable connection for a service module (RGU) belonging to one service provider from a range of mutually distinct service providers each time. The distributing structure (NTU, 24) is further provided with means (26, 27) for making said mutually distinct service providers indiscriminately exchangeable among said connector facilities (25).

Abstract: An optical device for optically multiplexing or demultiplexing light of different predetermined wavelengths is provided, the optical device comprising at least one first waveguide (11) and at least one second waveguide (12) formed on a substrate (10), wherein the at least one first waveguide and the at least one second waveguide intersect at an intersection, comprising a diffraction grating structure (13) formed at the intersection. There exists a first wavelength or wavelength band travelling within the first waveguide (11) exciting the grating structure and being diffracted an angle corresponding to an outcoupling direction and there exists a second wavelength or wavelength band, different from the first wavelength or wavelength band, travelling within the second waveguide (12) exciting the grating structure and being diffracted at an angle corresponding to the same outcoupling direction.

Abstract: An optical device for optically multiplexing or demultiplexing light of different predetermined wavelengths is provided, the optical device comprising at least one first waveguide (11) and at least one second waveguide (12) formed on a substrate (10), wherein the at least one first waveguide and the at least one second waveguide intersect at an intersection, comprising a diffraction grating structure (13) formed at the intersection. There exists a first wavelength or wavelength band travelling within the first waveguide (11) exciting the grating structure and being diffracted an angle corresponding to an outcoupling direction and there exists a second wavelength or wavelength band, different from the first wavelength or wavelength band, travelling within the second waveguide (12) exciting the grating structure and being diffracted at an angle corresponding to the same outcoupling direction.

Abstract: A communication system (and corresponding method of operation) provides a physical-line-based and transparent information transfer facility to distributed information receivers, whilst supporting such transfer for both first packaged data derived from sampling a real-time signal such as a telephone signal and second packaged data originating from a broadband digital data service. Respective actual transfer requirements are ascertained for the first and second packaged data. Next, transferring of the first packaged data is temporally positioned in first time slots that maintain real-time transferring of the first packaged data relative to the real-time signal. Finally, second packaged data are temporally positioned in intermediate intervals between successive first time slots, whilst transferring both the first and second packaged data items along the physical line in a deterministic manner within a single channel facility whilst foregoing encapsulation thereof in an overall frame.