Abstract: In general, a minimum determination capability, adapted for determining one or more minimum values from a set of values, is provided. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values, determination of a first minimum value representing a smallest value of the set of values and a second minimum value representing an approximation of a next-smallest value of the set of values. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values where each of the values is represented as a respective set of bits at a respective set of bit positions, determination of a minimum value of the set of values based on a set of bitwise comparisons performed for the respective bit positions of the values.

Abstract: A manner of processing bit-interleaved data traffic in a communication network. In the increasingly-common scenario where data traffic is bit interleaved and scrambled using a PRBS (pseudo-random binary sequence) before it is transmitted from a sender to a receiver, the receiver is configured to receive the transmitted bit stream and decimate it, that is, remove the bits of the bit stream that are allocated for the receiver, prior to descrambling. To accomplish this, the receiver employs an LFSR (linear feedback shift register) similar or identical to the one used by the sender to scramble the data. The LFSR is initialized by employing helper bits inserted by the sender or an initialization unit, and may employ other techniques for phase adjustment or state skipping depending on the nature of the transmitted bit stream.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for network monitoring, and more specifically for correlating downstream devices in an optical network with downstream ports of an optical splitter through which they are communicating with a central office. The downstream devices operational on the network are indentified and listed in a correlation table. Selected subsets of these devices are then monitored, preferably by an ISM under the direction of a management node, in a series of monitoring cycles until a satisfactory correlation may be achieved. The correlation cycle may be performed at startup, as needed, or on a periodic basis.

Abstract: In general, a minimum determination capability, adapted for determining one or more minimum values from a set of values, is provided. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values, determination of a first minimum value representing a smallest value of the set of values and a second minimum value representing an approximation of a next-smallest value of the set of values. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values where each of the values is represented as a respective set of bits at a respective set of bit positions, determination of a minimum value of the set of values based on a set of bitwise comparisons performed for the respective bit positions of the values.

Abstract: An optical network element is configured to operate in a primary operational state in which the optical network element can exchange optical signals with at least one further optical network element, particularly an optical line terminal of a passive optical network PON. The optical network element is configured to operate in at least one secondary operational state in which an electrical power consumption of the optical network element is lower as compared to the primary operational state. The optical network element is configured to directly transit from the primary operational state to the at least one secondary operational state.

Abstract: In general, a minimum determination capability, adapted for determining one or more minimum values from a set of values, is provided. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values, determination of a first minimum value representing a smallest value of the set of values and a second minimum value representing an approximation of a next-smallest value of the set of values. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values where each of the values is represented as a respective set of bits at a respective set of bit positions, determination of a minimum value of the set of values based on a set of bitwise comparisons performed for the respective bit positions of the values.

Abstract: In general, a minimum determination capability, adapted for determining one or more minimum values from a set of values, is provided. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values, determination of a first minimum value representing a smallest value of the set of values and a second minimum value representing an approximation of a next-smallest value of the set of values. The minimum determination capability may enable, for a set of values where each of the values is represented as a respective set of bits at a respective set of bit positions, determination of a minimum value of the set of values based on a set of bitwise comparisons performed for the respective bit positions of the values.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for network monitoring, and more specifically for correlating downstream devices in an optical network with downstream ports of an optical splitter through which they are communicating with a central office. The downstream devices operational on the network are indentified and listed in a correlation table. Selected subsets of these devices are then monitored, preferably by an ISM under the direction of a management node, in a series of monitoring cycles until a satisfactory correlation may be achieved. The correlation cycle may be performed at startup, as needed, or on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A manner of processing bit-interleaved data traffic in a communication network. In the increasingly-common scenario where data traffic is bit interleaved and scrambled using a PRBS (pseudo-random binary sequence) before it is transmitted from a sender to a receiver, the receiver is configured to receive the transmitted bit stream and decimate it, that is, remove the bits of the bit stream that are allocated for the receiver, prior to descrambling. To accomplish this, the receiver employs an LFSR (linear feedback shift register) similar or identical to the one used by the sender to scramble the data. The LFSR is initialized by employing helper bits inserted by the sender or an initialization unit, and may employ other techniques for phase adjustment or state skipping depending on the nature of the transmitted bit stream.