Abstract: A method of handling upstream data transmissions in a passive optical network includes determining signal power levels of a plurality of optical network units (ONUs); and scheduling transmissions of upstream data bursts of the plurality of ONUs by, assigning each of the upstream data bursts to one of two or more data burst groups based on the determined signal power levels, and selecting time intervals during which the upstream data bursts are transmitted in accordance with the two or more data burst groups such that the two or more data burst groups are scheduled to be transmitted sequentially.

Abstract: In at least some example embodiments an optical line terminal (OLT) may include processing circuitry configured to, convert an optical signal received from an optical network terminal (ONT) to a digital signal; and monitor the digital signal for a convergence event, the digital signal representing an optical signal received from the ONT and the convergence event being an event associated with the ONT.