Abstract: A remote node includes a first node input, a second node input, and an optical switch. The optical switch includes a first switch input optically coupled to the first node input, a second switch input optically coupled to the second node input, a first switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input, and a second switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input. The remote node includes a photodiode optically coupled to the second switch output, and a capacitor electrically coupled to the photodiode and the optical switch. When the first switch input is switchably coupled to the first switch output, the second switch input is switchably coupled to the second switch output. Light received by the second switch input passes out the second switch output to the photodiode. The photodiode charges the capacitor to a threshold charge.

Abstract: A remote node includes a first node input, a second node input, and an optical switch. The optical switch includes a first switch input optically coupled to the first node input, a second switch input optically coupled to the second node input, a first switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input, and a second switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input. The remote node includes a photodiode optically coupled to the second switch output, and a capacitor electrically coupled to the photodiode and the optical switch. When the first switch input is switchably coupled to the first switch output, the second switch input is switchably coupled to the second switch output. Light received by the second switch input passes out the second switch output to the photodiode. The photodiode charges the capacitor to a threshold charge.

Abstract: A carrier office includes an optical line terminal, a first transmit-erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), and a second transmit-EDFA. The OLT is configured to transmit first and second optical signals. The first transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a first feeder fiber, and the first feeder fiber is optically coupled to a first remote node (RN). The first transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state. The second transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a second feeder fiber, and the second feeder fiber is optically coupled to a second RN. The second transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state.

Abstract: A carrier office includes an optical line terminal, a first transmit-erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), and a second transmit-EDFA. The OLT is configured to transmit first and second optical signals. The first transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a first feeder fiber, and the first feeder fiber is optically coupled to a first remote node (RN). The first transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state. The second transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a second feeder fiber, and the second feeder fiber is optically coupled to a second RN. The second transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state.

Abstract: A remote node includes a first node input, a second node input, and an optical switch. The optical switch includes a first switch input optically coupled to the first node input, a second switch input optically coupled to the second node input, a first switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input, and a second switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input. The remote node includes a photodiode optically coupled to the second switch output, and a capacitor electrically coupled to the photodiode and the optical switch. When the first switch input is switchably coupled to the first switch output, the second switch input is switchably coupled to the second switch output. Light received by the second switch input passes out the second switch output to the photodiode. The photodiode charges the capacitor to a threshold charge.

Abstract: A carrier office includes an optical line terminal, a first transmit-erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), and a second transmit-EDFA. The OLT is configured to transmit first and second optical signals. The first transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a first feeder fiber, and the first feeder fiber is optically coupled to a first remote node (RN). The first transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state. The second transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a second feeder fiber, and the second feeder fiber is optically coupled to a second RN. The second transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state.

Abstract: A carrier office includes an optical line terminal, a first transmit-erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), and a second transmit-EDFA. The OLT is configured to transmit first and second optical signals. The first transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a first feeder fiber, and the first feeder fiber is optically coupled to a first remote node (RN). The first transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state. The second transmit-EDFA is optically coupled to the OLT and a second feeder fiber, and the second feeder fiber is optically coupled to a second RN. The second transmit-EDFA is operable between a respective enabled state and a respective disabled state.

Abstract: A remote node includes a first node input, a second node input, and an optical switch. The optical switch includes a first switch input optically coupled to the first node input, a second switch input optically coupled to the second node input, a first switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input, and a second switch output switchably coupled to the first switch input or the second switch input. The remote node includes a photodiode optically coupled to the second switch output, and a capacitor electrically coupled to the photodiode and the optical switch. When the first switch input is switchably coupled to the first switch output, the second switch input is switchably coupled to the second switch output. Light received by the second switch input passes out the second switch output to the photodiode. The photodiode charges the capacitor to a threshold charge.

Abstract: A method of processing optical signals in a passive optical network includes receiving a first signal in a first optical spectrum, and receiving a second signal in a second optical spectrum. The second optical spectrum is different from the first optical spectrum. The method also includes multiplexing the first and second signals into a first multiplexed signal and outputting the first multiplexed signal. The method also includes receiving a second multiplexed signal, and demultiplexing the second multiplexed signal into a third signal and a fourth signal. The third signal is in the second optical spectrum and the fourth signal is in the first optical spectrum. The method also includes outputting the third and fourth signals.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for a wirelessly-powered passive optical power meter device. In one aspect, an optical power meter device comprises a power circuit connected to one or more antennas, the circuit including an RF to DC converter that generates a DC power signal that provides a DC power source for the optical power meter from an RF signal received by the one or more antennas, a photodetector that generates a power measurement signal that measures the power of the optical input signal, and a communication circuit that is connected to the one or more antennas, the photodetector, and the power circuit that when powered by the DC power source generates a modulation signal that is responsive to the power measurement signal and that causes the one of the one or more antennas to convey the power measurement signal to a reader device that is transmitting the RF signal.

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting an infrared blaster or an infrared receiver includes detecting receipt of an infrared device by a media device. The media device has an internal infrared receiver and a processor. The method further includes determining if the infrared device is an infrared extender or an infrared blaster. When the infrared device is an infrared extender, the method includes disabling the internal infrared receiver and connecting the infrared device to the processor of the media device. When the infrared device is an infrared blaster, the method includes connecting the infrared device to the processor of the media device and not disabling the internal infrared receiver.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for a wirelessly-powered passive optical power meter device. In one aspect, an optical power meter device comprises a power circuit connected to one or more antennas, the circuit including an RF to DC converter that generates a DC power signal that provides a DC power source for the optical power meter from an RF signal received by the one or more antennas, a photodetector that generates a power measurement signal that measures the power of the optical input signal, and a communication circuit that is connected to the one or more antennas, the photodetector, and the power circuit that when powered by the DC power source generates a modulation signal that is responsive to the power measurement signal and that causes the one of the one or more antennas to convey the power measurement signal to a reader device that is transmitting the RF signal.

Abstract: A method of processing optical signals in a passive optical network includes receiving a first signal in a first optical spectrum, and receiving a second signal in a second optical spectrum. The second optical spectrum is different from the first optical spectrum. The method also includes multiplexing the first and second signals into a first multiplexed signal and outputting the first multiplexed signal. The method also includes receiving a second multiplexed signal, and demultiplexing the second multiplexed signal into a third signal and a fourth signal. The third signal is in the second optical spectrum and the fourth signal is in the first optical spectrum. The method also includes outputting the third and fourth signals.

Abstract: A remote control for a set-top box is configured to communicate with the set-top box using first and second wavelengths. In one embodiment, the remote control automatically performs Bluetooth pairing with the set-top box when the remote control is in proximity to the set-top box and the user presses a button on the remote, such as a “Power” button or other designated button. The remote control may wirelessly transmit a unique ID to the set-top box for the pairing process using the first wavelength, such as infrared. When paired, the set-top box may accept commands from the remote control transmitted using the second wavelengths, e.g., Bluetooth.

Abstract: A method of processing optical signals in a passive optical network includes receiving a first signal in a first optical spectrum, and receiving a second signal in a second optical spectrum. The second optical spectrum is different from the first optical spectrum. The method also includes multiplexing the first and second signals into a first multiplexed signal and outputting the first multiplexed signal. The method also includes receiving a second multiplexed signal, and demultiplexing the second multiplexed signal into a third signal and a fourth signal. The third signal is in the second optical spectrum and the fourth signal is in the first optical spectrum. The method also includes outputting the third and fourth signals.

Abstract: An optical communication device includes a transmitter having a transmitter port and a receiver having loopback and receiver ports. The transmitter transmits a first multiplexed signal in a first optical spectrum from the transmitter port. The receiver receives the first multiplexed signal in the loopback port and a second multiplexed signal in the receiver port. The second multiplexed signal is in a second optical spectrum different from the first optical spectrum. The receiver includes a demultiplexer in optical communication with the loopback port and the receiver port. The demultiplexer demultiplexes the first and second multiplexed signals received by the loopback and receiver ports.

Abstract: A local area network system that includes a residential gateway in wired communication with a remote service provider and multiple set top boxes in wired communication with the residential gateway. Each set top box includes a network extender having a wired connection to a residential gateway of a local area network, a media player in communication with the network extender, and at least one wireless transceiver in communication with the network extender. The media player includes a computing processor executing instructions to format a signal received from the network extender for use by a media device. Each set top box is configured as an access point for a local area network of the residential gateway.

Abstract: A technique for providing time division multiplexing (“TDM”) and wavelength division multiplexing (“WDM”) communication services to customer premises (“CP”) over a passive optical network (“PON”) includes multiplexing a downstream TDM signal with downstream WDM signals onto a fiber trunk line coupled between a central office and a remote node (“RN”), separating the downstream WDM signals from the downstream TDM signal at the RN with a wavelength selective filter, power splitting the downstream TDM signal at the RN onto a plurality of fiber access lines as split TDM signals; and recombining each of the WDM signals with a corresponding one of the split TDM signals onto a corresponding one of the fiber access lines.

Abstract: A local area network system that includes a residential gateway in wired communication with a remote service provider and multiple set top boxes in wired communication with the residential gateway. Each set top box includes a network extender having a wired connection to a residential gateway of a local area network, a media player in communication with the network extender, and at least one wireless transceiver in communication with the network extender. The media player includes a computing processor executing instructions to format a signal received from the network extender for use by a media device. Each set top box is configured as an access point for a local area network of the residential gateway.

Abstract: A set top box including a network extender and a media player in communication with the network extender. The network extender is connectable to a residential gateway of a local area network through a wired connection. The media player includes a computing processor executing instructions to format a signal received from the network extender for use by a media device. The set top box also includes at least one wireless transceiver in communication with the network extender.