Abstract: A communications system, such as a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), or corresponding method increases available bandwidth for transmission of data, video, and audio to a customer premise, or curb node for further distribution to customer premises, within a network. In one embodiment, a system comprises a host digital terminal (HDT) including an Ethernet switch unit and multiple optical interface units coupled via a bus. The optical interface units are configured to communicate over an optical communications link with broadband cards of optical network units (ONUs). The ONUs also include data cards coupled to the broadband cards via a bus. The data cards are configured to communicate over end user communications links to end user nodes.

Abstract: A method and system provides narrowband communications across a communications link through the processing of a superframe of data into packets or through the processing of packets into a superframe of data. In an embodiment, a first node repackages a superframe of data containing multiple subframes of data in known positions within the superframe into multiple packets. A sequence indicator is inserted into a payload area of the multiple packets, the sequence indicator corresponding to a subframe in the given communications packet and its position within the superframe. The packets are transmitted across a connection to a second node. At the second node, sequence indicators in the payload portion of each of the packets are inspected. The multiple subframes of data are extracted along with corresponding command and control information. Using the sequence indicators, frames of data are formed from the multiple subframes of data.

Abstract: A method and system generates a network quality clock signal in a communications system by synthesizing a first clock signal based on arrival rate of packets transmitted via a network link at a rate according to a network clock. The system then synthesizes a second clock signal is then synthesized based on the first clock signal. In one embodiment, the second clock signal has a frequency substantially the same as the network clock.

Abstract: A source specific multicast may be performed in a network, by inspecting a signal for a source specific multicast channel identifier. The source specific multicast identifier signal is then mapped to a frame switching identifier. The frame switching identifier can be mapped to the signal, allowing the signal to be directed a location based on the frame switching identifier.