Abstract: Component malfunctions in passive optical networks (PON) can increase bit error rates and decrease signal-to-noise ratio of communications signals. These faults may cause the receivers of the signals, either the optical line terminal (OLT) or optical network terminals (ONTs), to experience intermittent faults and/or may result in misinterpreted commands that disrupt other ONT's communication, resulting in a rogue ONT condition. Existing PON protocol detection methods may not detect these types of malfunctions. An embodiment of the present invention identifies faults in a PON by transmitting a test series of data patterns via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node. The test series is compared to an expected series of data patterns. An error rate may be calculated as a function of the differences between the test series and expected series. The error rate may be reported to identify faults in the PON.

Abstract: A bracket is provided having a spacer connected to a first and second arms. The spacer has a proximate end and a distal end disposed apart from each other at a suitable distance. The first arm has a base end and a free end, the base end being connected to a first side of the proximate end of the spacer and the free end extending from the proximate end. The second arm has a base end and a free end, the base end connected to the proximate end, and the free arm extending from the proximate end. The first arm, the second arm, and the proximate end substantially form a ring having a gap between the free ends of the first and second arms. Another bracket is provided having a hook and a ring connected to a top of the hook, wherein the ring includes a gap formed therein.

Abstract: A system and method for providing identifying numbers for virtual circuits and virtual paths in a network is described. The system and method make use of a predetermined group of identifying numbers such that each number corresponds to a particular communication type and port.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed for determining a particular Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) is malfunctioning by sending a continuous stream of light up a shared fiber, which results in adversely affecting communications between the ONT and an Optical Line Terminal (OLT). The example embodiment verifies the failure is due to a faulty optical transmitter in the ONT and not a different network fault, such as a fiber optic line cut or power outage. Through the use of the example embodiment, a service provider can determine in an automated manner which specific ONT of a PON is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling and removing narrow pulses in a clock waveform using a delay function are disclosed. A circuit device includes three circuits wherein the first circuit is capable of generating an edge trigger signal in response to a waveform of an input signal and a waveform of an output signal. While the second circuit facilitates removing a narrow pulse from the waveform of the input signal, the third circuit is capable of generating a delayed output waveform having pulses greater than a predefined minimal pulse width. In one embodiment, the first, second, and third circuits are an exclusive OR gate, a delay circuit, and a D flip-flop, respectively.

Abstract: Component malfunctions in passive optical networks (PON) can increase bit error rates and decrease signal-to-noise ratio of communications signals. These faults may cause the receivers of the signals, either the optical line terminal (OLT) or optical network terminals (ONTs), to experience intermittent faults and/or may result in misinterpreted commands that disrupt other ONT's communication, resulting in a rogue ONT condition. Existing PON protocol detection methods may not detect these types of malfunctions. An embodiment of the present invention identifies faults in a PON by transmitting a test series of data patterns via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node. The test series is compared to an expected series of data patterns. An error rate may be calculated as a function of the differences between the test series and expected series. The error rate may be reported to identify faults in the PON.

Abstract: Jitter in a clock signal can cause communications faults in communications networks, such as in networks in which downstream nodes use recovered clock signals as timing for upstream communications. An embodiment of the present invention detects and compensates for jitter in a network by recovering a reference clock associated with communications signals between nodes, such as an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a Passive Optical Network (PON). A local clock is synchronized with the reference clock. Jitter induced faults may be detected and compensated for by increasing the synchronization rate, then decreasing the synchronization rate until jitter induced faults begin to occur. A loss or change in a rate of communications errors occurring as a function of the synchronization rate may be monitored and reported to a system operator. Compensating for jitter by adjusting the synchronization rate provides for robust communications between network nodes.

Abstract: An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) simulator is provided. The ONT simulator includes one or more partially functional ONTs coupled to an Optical Line Termination (OLT) and an ONT/Optical network termination Management and Control Interface (ONT/OMCI) simulation utility. The ONTs receive test network traffic from the OLT and forward any OMCI traffic contained in the network traffic to the ONT/OMCI simulation utility. The ONT/OMCI simulation utility in turn simulates the operation of field-deployable ONT using the OMCI traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus or corresponding method of managing Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines in a Passive Optical Network (PON) to prevent an alarm system from generating an alarm during a software upgrade or maintenance of an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), Optical Line Terminal (OLT), or PON while maintaining the effectiveness of the alarm system. The ONT may store data related to a POTS line in nonvolatile memory. The ONT may activate the POTS line based on the data from the nonvolatile memory in an event of interruption in communications with an OLT prior to reestablishing communications with the OLT. The interruption in communications may be caused by an ONT reboot to complete an installation of a software upgrade. The ONT may energize the POTS line with a voltage in response to activating the POTS line to prevent the alarm system from generating the alarm.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and procedure connects customer premises equipment with a service provider network and includes a first local area network, a second local area network, and a management interface device. The first local area network connects the customer premises equipment to the service provider network and is configured to transmit primary service signals to and receive primary service signals from the customer premises equipment. The second local area network connects the customer premises equipment to the service provider network via the management interface device and is configured to transmit diagnostic and/or management signals from the service provider network to the customer premises equipment through the management interface device and/or to receive diagnostic and/or management signals from the customer premises equipment and transmit those signals to the service provider network through the management interface device.

Abstract: A method for performing CDR on a digital transmission, and an apparatus, system, and computer program that operate in accordance with the method. The method includes oversampling the digital transmission into oversampled data, detecting a frequency component of the oversampled data, qualifying a decision logic to select a sample of the oversampled data, and selecting at least one sample of the oversampled data using the decision logic.

Abstract: A method for performing CDR on a digital transmission, and an apparatus, system, and computer program that operate in accordance with the method. The method includes oversampling the digital transmission into oversampled data, detecting edges between adjacent bits of the oversampled data, counting the edges, and selecting at least one sample of the oversampled data. The sample is selected by a decision logic, which is at least partially controlled by counts of the edges.

Abstract: A method and a device of enhancing data integrity using hash function for data transmission over an optical network are disclosed. The device includes a hash circuit, a lookup circuit, a vector circuit, and a correcting circuit. The hash circuit is capable of performing a hash function and configured to generate a hash value in response to a value of header error correction (“HEC”) encapsulated in a gigabit passive optical network (“GPON”) frame. The lookup circuit is capable of obtaining a data entry from a lookup table in a memory in accordance with the hash value. While the vector circuit generates an error vector in response to the data entry, the correcting circuit corrects an error or errors in the header portion of a data structure encapsulated in the GPON frame.

Abstract: An Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) proxy provides network redundancy to prevent a severed or damaged line, or a malfunctioning router interface from denying services to the IGMP proxy by outputting the multicast group addresses that are received by the IGMP proxy to a first multicast interface that is electrically connected to a first router interface of a router, and to a second multicast interface that is electrically connected to a second router interface of the router.

Abstract: A blank or parking plate for managing cables, particularly fiber optic cables, having a planar base, removably securable to a chassis, and at least one resilient holder removably inserted through an aperture in the base, for securing and enclosing an end portion of a cable. The blank plate with at least one holder is arranged so as not to extend substantially within the chassis. The holder may secure a male cable connector end in substantially the same position and orientation that it will occupy when inserted into a female connector of an active circuit board, which replaces the blank plate. A distensible opening to an enclosure inside the holder may protect the cable end from dust or contact damage with foreign objects by defining an inner space behind an inlet for the cable, but no further opening serving as an outlet for the cable.

Abstract: A bracket is provided having a spacer connected to a first and second arms. The spacer has a proximate end and a distal end disposed apart from each other at a suitable distance. The first arm has a base end and a free end, the base end being connected to a first side of the proximate end of the spacer and the free end extending from the proximate end. The second arm has a base end and a free end, the base end connected to the proximate end, and the free arm extending from the proximate end. The first arm, the second arm, and the proximate end substantially form a ring having a gap between the free ends of the first and second arms. Another bracket is provided having a hook and a ring connected to a top of the hook, wherein the ring includes a gap formed therein.

Abstract: A method to alert users to network service conditions. The method includes detecting a network service condition, detecting an attempt to access at least one communication service of the network, and issuing an alert. A network for practicing the method includes at least one communication terminal and a network element that detects a network service condition, detects an attempt to access a communication service, and issues an alert of the network service condition. A network element operating in the network includes a communications interface, a processor, and a storage device for storing program instructions. The program instructions instruct the network element to detect an attempt to access a communication service and issue an alert of a network service condition. A computer program for controlling the network element includes code to detect an attempt to access a communication service and issue an alert.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for verifying optical system performance using a signaling value test are disclosed. After instructing the first optical interface device and the second optical interface device to enter a verification mode, the first optical interface device sends first verification data to the second optical interface device via an optical communications network. In one embodiment, the first optical interface device is an optical line termination (“OLT”) and the second optical interface device is an optical network terminal (“ONT”). Upon composing the first reply message in response to content received by the second optical interface in accordance with the first verification data, the second optical interface device forwards the first reply message to the first optical interface device.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for associating multiple Ethernet flows between a transceiver/uplink endpoint and a subscriber endpoint over an underlying ATM VCC including generating an ATM VCC record having a first endpoint identifier corresponding to a subscriber device such as a passive optical network (“PON”) or digital subscriber line (“DSL”) device and a second endpoint identifier corresponding to a transceiver card, such as a GigE card.

Abstract: A method for initiating diagnostic operations for a communication network, and devices, a network, and computer-readable storage medium storing control logic, that operate in accordance with the method. A test set device is communicatively coupled to a test head. The test set device provides access information to the test head, the access information comprising a diagnostic code indicating a diagnostic operation to be performed. The test head is communicatively coupled to a network. The test head provides the diagnostic code to the network device and sends a response from the network device to the test set device, the response indicating a result of performing the diagnostic operation. In this manner, a field technician can initiate diagnostics without the intervention of another technician, thereby reducing manpower required to troubleshoot a problem and improve troubleshooting turnaround.