Abstract: Communications apparatus, including client interface units (CIUs) coupled to network service lines for sending and receiving data carried by the service lines in accordance with respective communication protocols. The CIUs include at least first and second CIUs that communicate with respective first and second channels of the data operating in accordance with different, respective first and second protocols. The apparatus includes optical interface units (OIUs), coupled to a passive optical network (PON) and modulating optical radiation responsive to the data so as to convey the data over the PON. The apparatus further includes a connectivity unit which conveys the data between the CIUs and the OIUs, while mapping the channels to the OIUs so that data from the first and second channels is carried in alternation by one of the OIUs to first and second users of the PON communicating respectively according to the first and second protocols.

Abstract: A method for communication from a central point to end points by time division multiplexing of a sequence of frames divided into multiple timeslots, including receiving at the central point data for transmission to the end points, the data including at least a first quantity of first data for transmission to a first end point and a second quantity of second data for transmission to a second end point. The method further includes allocating in each of the frames a first number of timeslots to carry the first data to the first end point, and a second number of timeslots to carry the second data to the second end point, such that the first and second numbers are variable responsive to variations in the first and second quantities of the data, and transmitting the data from the central point to the end points during the allocated timeslots.