Abstract: A manner of providing an energy-efficient two-stage PON using a multistage-PON repeater to forward data traffic and other communications between the first stage and the second stage. The multistage-PON repeater receives BI-PON transmission frames from and OLT and decimates them, forwarding data intended for end devices of the second stage. The multistage-PON repeater rate adapts the transmissions so that faster speeds may be associated with PON first stage communications and slower speeds are associated with PON second stage communications. Many though not all of the multistage-PON components are configured to operate at the slower clock speed, conserving energy. Upstream transmissions from the end devices of the second stage are buffered in the multistage-PON repeater and forwarded to the OLT according to an allocation schedule received from the OLT in a BI-PON frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cost-effectively conserving power in a PON. Protection ports, usually on a protection LT card, are configured to communicate with a selectable one of the downstream ODN splitter/combiners associated with the primary ports on the remaining LT cards of the OLT. Each protection port includes at least a splitter for distributing a transmitted signal from a light source to a plurality of switched protection fibers, and may have an optical amplifier to provide for lossless or low-loss distribution. Each port may also have a combiner for combining received signals from a plurality of switched protection fibers. Traffic flow through the OLT is monitored and when it is determined that traffic flow has reached a threshold level, traffic is routed via a protection port instead of a primary port. If the traffic rerouted to a protection card, then the method may further include powering down the primary LT card or placing it in a mode having reduced power consumption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an efficient optical access network. In a preferred embodiment, a single light source is used to generate light in a network node, such as an OLT (optical line terminal). The generated light is then distributed using an optical splitter to a plurality of outputs, each associated with an ONU. The distributed light intended for a particular ONU (optical network unit) is modulated, for example by an EOM (electro-optical modulator), with a signal carrying communications for the intended ONU. The OLT includes a bank of EOMs or other kind of optical modulators, such as EAMs for serving a plurality of ONUs. The OLT may also include a second light source for generating light that is propagated to one or more of the ONUs for their use in forming upstream transmissions.

Abstract: A manner of providing an energy-efficient two-stage PON using a multistage-PON repeater to forward data traffic and other communications between the first stage and the second stage. The multistage-PON repeater receives BI-PON transmission frames from and OLT and decimates them, forwarding data intended for end devices of the second stage. The multistage-PON repeater rate adapts the transmissions so that faster speeds may be associated with PON first stage communications and slower speeds are associated with PON second stage communications. Many though not all of the multistage-PON components are configured to operate at the slower clock speed, conserving energy. Upstream transmissions from the end devices of the second stage are buffered in the multistage-PON repeater and forwarded to the OLT according to an allocation schedule received from the OLT in a BI-PON frame.