Patents Examined by Rafeal Bacares
  • Patent number: 5880864
    Abstract: An advanced optical fiber communications network comprises a multimode optical fiber connection (one fiber or two) from a central office to an intelligent interface device in the subscriber's premises. The central office includes at least a narrowband switch and a broadband switch. The narrowband switch provides voice grade telephone service routing. The broadband switch provides routing for video services and may comprise an ATM switch, an optical switch or the like. The intelligent interface device provides a connection to the optical fiber and performs two-way wavelength division multiplexing and demultiplexing as well as any necessary signal format conversions. The network has media access control functionality and utilizes a dynamic media access control procedure. The optical fiber loop to the subscriber's premises has the capacity to carry at least three different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Williams, Dave Little, Amos Lucas, William Burton