Abstract: Systems and methods for bandwidth doubling in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) enable an optical line terminal (OLT) to transmit downlink to at least one double rate optical network unit (ONU). The double rate transmission is preferably facilitated by use of single rate devices (OLT and ONU) functionally connected to provide the double rate capability. The methods include packet-by-packet multiplexing, bit-by-bit line code interleaving, doubling an inter-packet gap (IPG) length, defining windows of transmission for different transmission rates, using the 8B/10B code, removing the 8B/10B code from just the downlink transmission and symbol-by-symbol multiplexing is downlink transmissions from the double rate OLT.

Abstract: Devices and methods for processing signals using a Burst-Mode TIA that meets EPON and GPON specifications are disclosed herein. A signal provided by a power detector is processed with the appropriate gain by using a gain selector which includes a feedback circuit to choose the gain internally, thereby eliminating the need for an external control. Further embodiments of the invention include power detectors featuring a low-pass filter, a peak detector, and/or an envelope detector. Further embodiments of the invention include a Freeze function circuit for maintaining a current gain. Further embodiments of the invention apply appropriate gains when bursts with substantially different power levels are received consecutively, and prevent the gain from being changed during a burst. In this method, a two-pole low-pass filter with an undamped response function is used.

Abstract: A protocol for communicating data on a passive optical network conforming to the Ethernet standard provides processes for remote network node discovery and synchronization. Uplink packet transmissions to a central controller, such as an optical line terminal, are scheduled by the central controller. Downlink packets from the central controller to a remote network node, such as an optical network unit, are encrypted to preserve privacy, and the key used for encryption is changed periodically. The protocol further provides processes for detecting the loss of physical or logical connection between the central controller and the remote network nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying faults in a passive optical network (PON), The method comprises acquiring at an optical network terminal of the PON at least one parameter indicative of at least one malfunction in at least one optical network unit of the PON, and identifying each malfunction from the at least one parameter The parameters measured include, for each ONU, laser power, sync-lock and -unlock time and bit error rates. The information at the OLT is acquired remotely and in digital form, without use of any physical probing of any point or element in the PON. The system includes a temporal measurement module and a power laser measurement module coupled to a central processing unit that can extract fault information from digital data processed in the two modules.