Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system, method and apparatus are provided for assuring that a ranging process on a PON does not affect real-time services. In an example embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes designating a real-time frame every R frames in a communications system. The method also includes designating frames intervening between real-time frames as non-real-time frames. The method may further include determining a quiet zone is needed for detection of network equipment. Moreover, the method may include scheduling a quiet zone of one or more consecutive non-real-time frames. Additionally, the method may include receiving ranging signals from the network equipment during the quiet zone.

Abstract: Access to a bus is granted to one of a number of requesting communication circuits that each submitted a bus control request during a request period of an arbitration period in response to the entries in a priority table. If a requesting communication circuit has an identity and priority that match the identity and priority of a communication circuit stored in a row of the priority table that corresponds with the arbitration period, access to the bus is granted to the requesting communication circuit.

Abstract: Access to a bus is granted to one of a number of requesting communication circuits that each submitted a bus control request during a request period of an arbitration period in response to the entries in a priority table. If a requesting communication circuit has an identity and priority that match the identity and priority of a communication circuit stored in a row of the priority table that corresponds with the arbitration period, access to the bus is granted to the requesting communication circuit.

Abstract: Access to a bus is granted to one of a number of requesting communication circuits that each submitted a bus control request during a request period of an arbitration period in response to grant information which can be stored in a primary and a backup priority table. If a requesting communication circuit has an identity and priority that match the identity and priority of a communication circuit stored in a row of the primary or backup priority table that corresponds with the arbitration period, and the identities stored in the tables match only one requesting communication circuit, access to the bus is granted to the requesting communication circuit.