Abstract: A time slot management method for use in a time division multiple access network. The time division multiple access network includes a main station (MS) coupled to each of a plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) via the cascade connection of a common transmission link (Lc) and an individual user link (L1, L2, L3, . . . , L15, L16). The management method includes broadcasting substation identities (TEA1, TEA12, TEA16, TEA3, TEA7, . . . ) in downstream information packets from the main station (MS) to the plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) to allow each one of the plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) upon detection of its own substation identity to transfer a predetermined amount of upstream information packets in predetermined upstream timeslots to the main station (MS). The time slot management method additionally includes embedding at least part of the substation identities (TEA12, TEA3, TEA7, . . .

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to perform central control of in-line element (Ei) in a tree-like network by a line terminator (LT). A plurality of network terminators (NT1, NT2, . . . , NTi, . . . , NTn) are coupled via one or more of such in-line elements (Ei) to the line terminator (LT) by dedicated branches and by a common branch, respectively.

Abstract: A method to divide upstream timeslots in a multiple access system that couples a line terminator via a tree-like network to a plurality of network terminators and the line terminator distributes downstream data packets to the plurality of network terminators. The line terminator includes a grant, associated with one of the network terminators, in the downstream packet. A network terminal, upon recognizing its associated grant in the downstream packet, transmits data in a packet placed in a predefined upstream timeslot. Depending on the type of line terminator (high or low order) and the placement of the grant in the downstream packet, the data transmitted by the network terminator, in response to the grant recognition, is placed in a high or low order timeslot for transmission to the line terminator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ability to set up connections on demand between subscribers and service providers and allows network capacity to be best shared among users. Whenever a service terminal (ST) requests a service (S) from a service provider (SP), an authentication server (AUTH) checks whether the service terminal can access the requested service. If so, a network controller (CTRL) set up a connection (C) to deliver the requested service with the required quality of service, said connection being established between the network termination (NT), to which the service terminal is coupled, and the access server (AS), to which the service provider is coupled. The authentication server supplies transport requirements of the requested service for establishing the connection.

Abstract: A time slot management method for use in a time division multiple access network. The time division multiple access network includes a main station (MS) coupled to each of a plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) via the cascade connection of a common transmission link (Lc) and an individual user link (L1, L2, L3, . . . , L15, L16). The management method includes broadcasting substation identities (TEA1, TEA12, TEA16, TEA3, TEA7, . . . ) in downstream information packets from the main station (MS) to the plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) to allow each one of the plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) upon detection of its own substation identity to transfer a predetermined amount of upstream information packets in predetermined upstream timeslots to the main station (MS). The time slot management method additionally includes embedding at least part of the substation identities (TEA12, TEA3, TEA7, . . .

Abstract: A time slot management method for use in a time division multiple access network. The time division multiple access network includes a main station (MS) coupled to each of a plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) via the cascade connection of a common transmission link (Lc) and an individual user link (L1, L2, L3, . . . , L15, L16). The management method includes broadcasting substation identities (TEA1, TEA12, TEA16, TEA3, TEA7, . . . ) in downstream information packets from the main station (MS) to the plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) to allow each one of the plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) upon detection of its own substation identity to transfer a predetermined amount of upstream information packets in predetermined upstream timeslots to the main station (MS). The time slot management method additionally includes embedding at least part of the substation identities (TEA12, TEA3, TEA7, . . .

Abstract: A method to divide upstream timeslots in a multiple access system that couples a line terminator (LT) via a tree-like network to a plurality of network terminators (NT1, NT2, . . . , NT16) and that distributes downstream data packets by the line terminator to the plurality of network terminators.

Abstract: A method to determine a switching moment (Ti) of a switch (SWi) is provided. The switch is coupled to an optical combiner (OC) of a tree-like optical network. The optical combiner enables multiple access of information signals (IN1, . . . , INi, . . . INn) which are upstream transmitted from network units (NU1, NU1′, NU1″, . . . , NUi, . . . , NUn) to a line terminator (LT) via the cascade connection of dedicated branches (B1, . . . , Bi, . . . , Bn), the optical combiner and a common branch (BC). The switch passes an information signal (INi) at an approximated switching moment (APP-Ti) when the information signal is present and interrupts the branch when the information signal is not present.

Abstract: The method is used in an optical transmission network with a plurality of terminal stations (TS1-TSn) connected to a central station (CS) via a tree-like connection structure, to determine a signal transmission delay time between one terminal station (TSi) and the central station. The terminal stations are adapted to send cells containing information signals to the central station in dedicated time slots.

Abstract: The optical amplifier combiner arrangement is used in a tree-like optical network (APON) comprising a cascade connection of dedicated branches, of the arrangement and of a common branch. The arrangement is coupled between a plurality of optical network users and an optical line terminator, via the dedicated branches and the common branch respectively. The network enables upstream transmission of information signals from the optical network users to the optical line terminator. The optical amplifier combiner arrangement includes for each branch of the dedicated branches (1) an optical amplifier to amplify an information signal with a gain value and to thereby generate an amplified information signal with a predetermined power level, (2) an optical on/off switch coupled between the optical amplifier and an optical combiner to pass the amplified information signal when the information signal is present and to interrupt the branch when the information signal is not present.