Patents by Inventor Mark R. Biegert

Mark R. Biegert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10158421
    Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a rogue network interface device whose laser is not under control of a controller of the network interface device. The techniques identify the rogue network interface device based on reception of a predefined data pattern in a timeslot that is not reserved for any of the network interface devices without needing to disable upstream data transmission from the network interface devices during their assigned timeslots. The techniques also relate to a network interface device determining whether the network interface device is transmitting optical signals at a wavelength different than the wavelength that the OLT to which the network interface device is associated receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Bernard, Mark R. Biegert, Charles J. Eddleston, Gregg C. Heikkinnen, Curtis L. Kruse
  • Publication number: 20170257163
    Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a rogue network interface device whose laser is not under control of a controller of the network interface device. The techniques identify the rogue network interface device based on reception of a predefined data pattern in a timeslot that is not reserved for any of the network interface devices without needing to disable upstream data transmission from the network interface devices during their assigned timeslots. The techniques also relate to a network interface device determining whether the network interface device is transmitting optical signals at a wavelength different than the wavelength that the OLT to which the network interface device is associated receives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher T. Bernard, Mark R. Biegert, Charles J. Eddleston, Gregg C. Heikkinnen, Curtis L. Kruse
  • Patent number: 9692505
    Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a rogue network interface device whose laser is not under control of a controller of the network interface device. The techniques identify the rogue network interface device based on reception of a predefined data pattern in a timeslot that is not reserved for any of the network interface devices without needing to disable upstream data transmission from the network interface devices during their assigned timeslots. The techniques also relate to a network interface device determining whether the network interface device is transmitting optical signals at a wavelength different than the wavelength that the OLT to which the network interface device is associated receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Bernard, Mark R. Biegert, Charles J. Eddleston, Gregg C. Heikkinnen, Curtis L. Kruse
  • Patent number: 9496952
    Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a rogue network interface device whose laser is not under control of a controller of the network interface device. The techniques identify the rogue network interface device based on reception of a predefined data pattern in a timeslot that is not reserved for any of the network interface devices without needing to disable upstream data transmission from the network interface devices during their assigned timeslots. The techniques also relate to a network interface device determining whether the network interface device is transmitting optical signals at a wavelength different than the wavelength that the OLT to which the network interface device is associated receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Bernard, Mark R. Biegert
  • Publication number: 20150326311
    Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a rogue network interface device whose laser is not under control of a controller of the network interface device. The techniques identify the rogue network interface device based on reception of a predefined data pattern in a timeslot that is not reserved for any of the network interface devices without needing to disable upstream data transmission from the network interface devices during their assigned timeslots. The techniques also relate to a network interface device determining whether the network interface device is transmitting optical signals at a wavelength different than the wavelength that the OLT to which the network interface device is associated receives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher T. Bernard, Mark R. Biegert
  • Publication number: 20150326591
    Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying a rogue network interface device whose laser is not under control of a controller of the network interface device. The techniques identify the rogue network interface device based on reception of a predefined data pattern in a timeslot that is not reserved for any of the network interface devices without needing to disable upstream data transmission from the network interface devices during their assigned timeslots. The techniques also relate to a network interface device determining whether the network interface device is transmitting optical signals at a wavelength different than the wavelength that the OLT to which the network interface device is associated receives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher T. Bernard, Mark R. Biegert, Charles J. Eddleston, Gregg C. Heikkinnen, Curtis L. Kruse
  • Patent number: 8983308
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure relates to optical network devices with support for multiple physical layer transport standards. An optical network device may include an optical receiver that can be adaptively configured to support different physical layer transport standards. For example, the optical receiver may include a photodiode and a control unit to adjust a characteristic of the photodiode to support different optical physical layer transport standards on an adaptive basis. For example, the control unit may adjust the photodiode characteristic to prevent an overload condition when an optical signal is received according to the physical layer access standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Biegert, Peter O. Lee
  • Patent number: 8976688
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for performing grant scheduling in optical networks. An optical line terminal (OLT) comprising a control unit may implement the techniques. The control unit determines an amount of upstream data associated with a category of service that is waiting at a first one of a plurality of ONTs to be transmitted upstream to the OLT and computes a number of GCPs for each of the ONTs based on a determined amount of data associated with the category of service that is waiting to be transmitted upstream to the OLT for each of the ONTs. After computing the number of GCPs, the control unit then grants time slots to the one or more of the ONTs based on the number of GCPs computed for each of the ONTs, wherein the time slots comprise time slots for upstream communication form the ONTs to the OLT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Timm, Mark R. Biegert
  • Patent number: 8917993
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for monitoring downstream traffic in order to schedule delivery of upstream traffic in a computer network. The techniques may be implemented by an optical line terminal (OLT) comprising a control unit and an interface. The control unit determines an amount of upstream data that is waiting at one of a plurality of ONTs to be transmitted upstream to the OLT, and determines an amount of downstream data that is transmitted by the OLT to this ONT. The control unit increases the determined amount of upstream data based on the determined amount of downstream data transmitted by the OLT to the ONTs and, after increasing the determined amount of upstream data, generates an upstream grant map that grants time slots to the ONTs based on the determined amount of upstream data. The interface transmits the upstream grant map downstream to the ONTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Timm, Mark R. Biegert
  • Publication number: 20140029635
    Abstract: Techniques are described for maintaining the extinction ratio of an output optical signal over temperature and aging. In some examples, the techniques may determine the instantaneous slope efficiency of the laser outputting the optical signal, while the laser is outputting the optical signal. Based on the determined slope efficiency, the techniques may determine the needed drive current components (e.g., at least one of the bias current and the modulation current) that results in maintaining the extinction ratio to within a desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CALIX, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Biegert, Peter O. Lee, Mark T. Paulsen, Joel K. Lagerquist
  • Patent number: 8433195
    Abstract: A system comprises an optical network terminal (ONT) that terminates an optical fiber link of an optical network to provide an optical network interface. The ONT may include an optical module that receives optical signals via the optical fiber link and converts the optical signals to electrical signals and an optical media access control (MAC) unit that converts at least some of the electrical signals to data units. The optical MAC unit may be selectively configurable to support a plurality of optical network protocols. For example, the optical MAC unit is selectively configurable to support two or more of BPON protocol, a GPON protocol, a GEPON protocol and an active Ethernet protocol. In one instance, the optical MAC unit is selectively configurable to support at least one active optical network protocol and at least one passive optical network protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Biegert, Mark T. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 8428465
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for providing a communication path for upstream communications originating from a node of an optical network. In particular, methods and devices are described for combining upstream communications originating from the node of the optical network with upstream communications originating from subscriber devices coupled to the node. The upstream communication originating from the node may, for example, include status information about the node. The upstream communication, which may include status information about the node, essentially piggy-backs onto upstream communication originating from the subscriber devices coupled to the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Biegert, Peter Lee
  • Patent number: 8401387
    Abstract: A system comprises an optical network terminal (ONT) that provides an interface to a passive optical network (PON). The ONT is coupled to a subscriber gateway device via at least one cable. The ONT may be located outside a subscriber premises while the subscriber gateway device may be located within the subscriber premises. The ONT converts optical signals received from PON to electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals to the subscriber gateway device without performing any MAC layer functions. The subscriber gateway device includes an optical media access control (MAC) unit that converts the electrical signals into MAC layer signals and a gateway unit that distributes the MAC layer signals to one or more subscriber devices. In this manner the MAC and gateway layer functions are relocated from the ONT to the subscriber gateway device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Biegert, Mark T. Paulsen
  • Publication number: 20130022132
    Abstract: One or more example techniques of this disclosure may be directed to providing a diversity of ways in which a network interface device may receive information from or transmit information to one or more of subscriber devices within a subscriber premises. For example, the network interface device may wirelessly transmit and receive information. The network interface device may also be coupled to a power supply device, and may receive information from and transmit information to the power supply device. The power supply device may receive information from and transmit information to the one or more of the subscriber devices utilizing wireless techniques and/or power line communication (PLC) techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Paulsen, Mark R. Biegert
  • Patent number: 8338981
    Abstract: The disclosure describes communication of information between a network interface device and subscriber devices over a power line. A UPS unit receives operating power from subscriber premises via a first power line and delivers operating power to the network interface device via a second power line. The network interface device transmits and receives information, such as voice, video and data, to and from the UPS unit via the second power line. The UPS unit receives the information transmitted by the network interface device via the second power line, and transmits the received information to subscriber devices within the premises via the first power line. The UPS unit receives information transmitted by subscriber devices via the first power line, and transmits the received information to the network interface device via the second power line. The first and second power lines each serve as both a power line and a communication medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Biegert
  • Publication number: 20120321312
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for performing grant scheduling in optical networks. An optical line terminal (OLT) comprising a control unit may implement the techniques. The control unit determines an amount of upstream data associated with a category of service that is waiting at a first one of a plurality of ONTs to be transmitted upstream to the OLT and computes a number of GCPs for each of the ONTs based on a determined amount of data associated with the category of service that is waiting to be transmitted upstream to the OLT for each of the ONTs. After computing the number of GCPs, the control unit then grants time slots to the one or more of the ONTs based on the number of GCPs computed for each of the ONTs, wherein the time slots comprise time slots for upstream communication form the ONTs to the OLT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Timm, Mark R. Biegert
  • Publication number: 20120321315
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for monitoring downstream traffic in order to schedule delivery of upstream traffic in a computer network. The techniques may be implemented by an optical line terminal (OLT) comprising a control unit and an interface. The control unit determines an amount of upstream data that is waiting at one of a plurality of ONTs to be transmitted upstream to the OLT, and determines an amount of downstream data that is transmitted by the OLT to this ONT. The control unit increases the determined amount of upstream data based on the determined amount of downstream data transmitted by the OLT to the ONTs and, after increasing the determined amount of upstream data, generates an upstream grant map that grants time slots to the ONTs based on the determined amount of upstream data. The interface transmits the upstream grant map downstream to the ONTs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Timm, Mark R. Biegert
  • Patent number: 8249452
    Abstract: This disclosure describes ONT-based management of micronodes in an RFOG network. A micronode is configured to permit remote management via an ONT in an optical network. An optical networking protocol, such as a PON protocol, may be used to exchange information with an ONT for management of the micronode. Management may include configuration and monitoring of the micronode. The micronode may have a management interface that supports remote configuration and monitoring via an ONT coupled to the management interface. An operator may use the ONT as a management terminal for the micronode. The ONT may permit an operator to effectively manage micronodes, and also may offer a ready upgrade path to provide optical networking services such as PON services to a subscriber when the operator is ready to upgrade its CO equipment and CPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Biegert, Steven P. Buska
  • Patent number: 8244125
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to detection of optical fiber failure and implementation of protection switching in a passive optical network (PON). A protection switch determines whether there is an optical fiber failure in a fiber link between an OLT and a group of ONTs. In the case of an optical fiber failure, an optical fiber may be physically cut or damaged, causing the optical fiber link to be disabled. A protection switch may detect an optical fiber failure by determining a peak optical power of at least a portion of an upstream optical signal transmitted from one or more ONTs via the optical fiber link. If the peak optical power is less than a threshold value, the protection switch may detect a fiber failure. In response to a detected fiber failure, the protection switch may switch upstream and downstream PON transmissions from a primary optical fiber to a secondary optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Biegert, Peter O. Lee, David D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 8212375
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical network terminal (ONT) for use in a passive optical network (PON) that provides reliable battery status reporting and, optionally, remote monitoring and configuration of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit. In particular, the UPS unit provides power to the ONT via a power line and transmits data to the ONT via the power line. Generally, the described invention supports one-way or two-way communication of status, alarm, and configuration signals using a single power line. Specifically, such signals may be transmitted over the power line by inserting a carrier frequency, such as a carrier frequency of approximately 1 MHz, onto the power line. In this manner, the invention may provide a simple battery status monitoring system while also reducing the cost of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Paulsen, Mark R. Biegert, Clifford Vrla, Gary L. Steinkogler