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: A laser transmitter comprising a laser diode (1) and a monitoring photodiode (2) adapted to receive a small part (LS1) of a light signal (LS) of the laser diode and to derive therefrom an output current (SC). The transmitter further comprises regulation means (4) adapted for receiving the output current and for sending a signal (CS) to a current driver (5) in order to regulate the input current (IC) of the laser diode (1) as a function of this output current (SC). The transmitter also comprises a register (6) adapted to store data to be used by the regulation means (4) or to be read by a serial interface, and pattern detection means (7) adapted to scan all the traffic and thus all the packets of the upstream flow to the laser diode (1) to check whether pre-determined bit-patterns are present.

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.