Broadcast And Distribution System Patents (Class 398/66)
  • Patent number: 8023820
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for downloading a whitelist onto a passive optical network including a passive optical network and a management interface communicatively coupled to the passive optical network and configured to provision the whitelist. An optical line terminal also on the passive optical network includes a passive optical network card operable to broadcast the whitelist to optical network terminals which are configured to receive and enforce the whitelist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Tellabs Vienna, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc R. Bernard, Edward J. Szczebak
  • Patent number: 8019220
    Abstract: The present invention provides a PON system including a plurality of PONs (passive optical network), a plurality of house devices set in an end user's house, and a station side device including a plurality of PON interface sections connected to the house devices via the plurality of PONs, and a concentrating/distributing section for accommodating the plurality of PONs and concentrating and distributing signals via the plurality of PON interface sections; wherein the station side device has N (N is a positive integer) optical switch modules, each of which is connected to a PON interface section for current use among the plurality of PONs; and realizes 1:N redundant of the PONs by cascading the N optical switch modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8019217
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to continue to send and receive to/from a host when a failure has occurred in a storage device interface. A storage system includes a host and a storage device connected to the host via a communication line, wherein the storage device comprises a communication controller performing data communication with the host by using optical modules, and wherein the communication controller is provided with first optical modules performing data communication with the host; a second optical module performing data communication with the host, in place of a first optical module; and a controller switching, when a failure has occurred in any of the first optical modules, the first optical module in which the failure has occurred to the second optical module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Aihara
  • Patent number: 8000604
    Abstract: A passive optical network (PON) device, system and method include an optical line terminal (OLT) receiver configured to receive multiple signals at different wavelengths simultaneously and enable multiple transmitters to operate at the same time during one upstream time slot. The optical line terminal employs Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to transparently support a plurality of applications and enable dynamic bandwidth allocation among these applications where the bandwidth is allocated in two dimensional frequency and time space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: NEC Laboratories America, Inc., NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Dayou Qian, Junqiang Hu, Jianjun Yu, Philip Nan Ji, Lei Xu, Ting Wang, Milorad Cvijetic, Toshihiko Kusano
  • Publication number: 20110188858
    Abstract: An optical backhaul network for a wireless broadband service is provided. The optical backhaul network for a wireless broadband service includes: a plurality of optical network units for outputting an uplink optical signal having a multiplexed wavelength; an optical line termination for outputting a downlink optical signal of a single mode in order to transmit the downlink optical signal to the plurality of the optical network units in a broadcasting form; and a plurality of remote nodes for outputting a part of the downlink optical signal to the plurality of the optical network units and for outputting the uplink optical signal to the optical line termination. Therefore, one center and a plurality of access points can be efficiently connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Byoung Whi Kim, Han Hyub Lee, Man Yong Park, Bong Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7991287
    Abstract: An optical communication system and a communication network are disclosed herein capable of transmitting optical signals with high optical launch power over long distances with suppression of stimulated Brillouin scattering. A method of transmitting optical signals is also disclosed herein which comprises transmitting optical signals at high optical launch power with a high carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR). Passive optical networks disclosed herein provide greater reach and/or increased splits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott R. Bickham, Aleksandra Boskovic, Andrey Kobyakov, A. Boh Ruffin, Richard E. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7991296
    Abstract: A circuit and method to synchronize with a data transmission having a plurality of data transmission frames each with a start boundary identified by a predetermined synchronization pattern, includes comparing sets of data within the data transmission to a predetermined synchronization pattern. A frame tracking signal is assigned to each one of the plurality of comparison results that indicates a match between a data pattern within one of the plurality of sets of data and the predetermined synchronization pattern, including matches that occur multiple times within a known duration of the data transmission frame duration. Based on each frame tracking signal assigned to a comparison result, the start boundary of the data transmission frames is searched. The start boundary may be search by monitoring successive occurrences of the predetermined synchronization pattern in the data transmission at intervals of the known data transmission frame duration for each data matching data pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesar A. Johnston, John M. Chiang
  • Patent number: 7986879
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for polling in an Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON). The system includes: multiple Optical Network Units (ONUs) for sharing optical channels of the EPON with one another and transmitting traffic; and an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) for discriminating a plurality of ONUs gaining access to the EPON among the multiple ONUs and then collecting routing information on the plurality of ONUs gaining access to the EPON, and for classifying the plurality of ONUs gaining access to the EPON into two or more ONU groups according to the collected routing information and then carrying out forming a polling cycle and allocating bandwidth on each ONU group. Therefore, a transmission idle period in a traffic channel is not only minimized, but an availability ratio of traffic channels can also be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University Foundation For Corporate Collaboration
    Inventors: Sang Ho Lee, Min Young Chung, Tae-Jin Lee, Hyun Seung Choo
  • Patent number: 7986880
    Abstract: A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Enablence USA FTTx Networks Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Farmer, Deven J. Anthony, Stephen A. Thomas, Patrick W. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20110170871
    Abstract: In a light reception element such as an APD (Avalanche Photo Diode) used for receiving a high-speed and weak optical signal, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon of distortion of a signal inputted after a large-level light is received. A PON (Passive Optical Network) system includes an OLT (Optical Line Terminal) which can impartially and effectively transmit light reception data to each ONU (Optical Network Unit). According to a light reception amplitude received by each ONU, an inter-frame gap of an appropriate length is assigned for each ONU. The OLT includes a unit for measuring and accumulating the reception light amplitude and data on the inter-frame gap of an appropriate length decided in advance according to the characteristic of the light reception device and generates a grant value for assuring an inter-frame gap of an appropriate length by using the both information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru Kazawa, Masaki Ohira, Yusuke Yajima, Akihiko Tsuchiya, Yoshinobu Morita
  • Patent number: 7978972
    Abstract: The optical line terminal has a PON transceiver including an error correction code decoder. The error correction decoder includes: a shortening compensation parameter table; and a syndrome calculator for calculating a syndrome by referring to the shortening compensation parameter table, or an error search part for calculating an error position or an error value by referring to the shortening compensation parameter table. Also the optical network terminal has a PON transceiver including an error correction code decoder. The error code decoder includes: a shortening compensation parameter table; and a syndrome calculator for calculating a syndrome by referring to the shortening compensation parameter table, or an error search part for calculating an error position or an error value by referring to the shortening compensation parameter table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Ohira, Taro Tonoduka
  • Patent number: 7978976
    Abstract: An optical data transmission system having a hub, an optical router, and a plurality of optically pumped sources at a curb location, and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs). The ONUs generate and transmit respective data modulated pumping light to the curb location where it is received by the optically pumped sources, which convert it into the wavelength channels having predefined wavelength ranges assigned to respective ONUs. The optical router routes the wavelength channels for transmission to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schofield Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Olli-Pekka Pohjola, Ari Tervonen, Harri T. Jarvinen, Markku Oksanen
  • Publication number: 20110164877
    Abstract: In the field of optical network communication technologies, a method, a device, and a system for transmitting a constant rate data stream are provided. The method for transmitting the constant rate data stream by the first network device includes: receiving a constant rate data stream; calculating an input rate of the constant rate data stream or a rate difference between the input rate and a standard rate of the constant rate data stream in each cycle of a reference clock; encapsulating the constant rate data stream into a Gigabit-Passive Optical Network (GPON) Encapsulation Method (GEM) frame by using a bit as a minimum encapsulation unit; and encapsulating the GEM frame into a GPON Transmission Convergence Layer (GTC) frame, and sending the GTC frame to the second network device through a GPON network. Therefore, the technical solutions may be widely applied to the GPON network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun Li, Jianlin Zhou, Shimin Zou
  • Publication number: 20110158649
    Abstract: A multi play single fiber system is described. The system comprises a single fibre for provisioning one or more of Global System of Mobile (GSM) Communication, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), Global Positioning System (GPS) based services implemented on one or more of: Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Transmission Control Protocol-Internet Protocol (TCP-IP), Radio Frequency (RF), Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) or Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM) and a hardware coupled computer programmable device coupled with the single fiber to create plurality of tunnels within the said single fiber and create plurality of circuits within the said tunnels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Shanker Singh Hari
  • Patent number: 7970279
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for an n-Way, Serial-Channel interconnect. An apparatus includes a communications network interconnect including an input layer including a plurality of input channels; a multicast channel branching fabric coupled to the input layer; and a modular output layer coupled to the multicast channel branching fabric layer, the modular output layer including a plurality of individual serial data channels; and a plurality of sets of endpoints, each set of endpoints coupled to one of the plurality of individual serial data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Lightfleet Corporation
    Inventor: William Benjamin Dress
  • Publication number: 20110150480
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110129226
    Abstract: An optical fibre transmission distribution assembly, wherein the assembly comprises at least a first splitter having a first split ratio of 1:x (where x is an integer) connected to optical drop cables leading to subscribers, and at least a second splitter having a second split ratio of 1:y (where y is an integer and is different from x), and transfer means whereby an optical drop cable connected to the first splitter can be transferred to receive split optical signals from the second splitter, thereby enabling the signal in the transferred drop cable to be further split by addition of a third splitter at a ratio of 1:p (where p is an integer), to provide p subscriber connection points each having a 1:p*y split ratio at the subscriber end of the transferred drop cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA
    Inventors: Ludwig Vleugels, Daniel Francois Daems, Danny Van Goidsenhoven
  • Publication number: 20110129225
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to high-bandwidth, low-latency optical fabrics for broadcasting between nodes. In one embodiment, an optical fabric includes an optical communication path optically coupled to a broadcasting node and optically coupled to one or more broadcast receiving nodes. The optical fabric also includes a first optical element optically coupled to the optical communication path and configured to broadcast an optical signal generated by the broadcasting nodes onto the optical communication path, and one or more optical elements optically coupled to the optical communication path and configured to divert a portion the broadcast optical signal onto each of the one or more receiving nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Gary Gostin, Michael Renne Ty Tan
  • Publication number: 20110123196
    Abstract: A method, a device and a system for sending and receiving client signals are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Min Ye, Li Zeng
  • Patent number: 7949255
    Abstract: A system for transporting signals through PON, including a device for transporting optical network signals and a device for transporting optical line signals, wherein: the device for transporting optical network signals is adapted to map upstream optical signals with a PON frame format to upstream optical channel data unit signals, to convert into upstream signals with an optical channel transport unit format, and to transport to the device for transporting optical line signals through OTN; and to perform corresponding downstream processing; the device for transporting optical line signals is adapted to convert the upstream signals into upstream optical channel data unit signals, to de-map to upstream optical signals with a PON frame format, and to transport to an optical line terminal; and to perform corresponding downstream processing. The invention further discloses relevant devices and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shimin Zou
  • Patent number: 7949256
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing downstream bandwidth in an optical network that includes providing a downstream terminal comprising a digital output path and an analog output path. The method also includes receiving a signal comprising at least one wavelength at the downstream terminal. The method further includes selectively processing the signal at the downstream terminal. The signal is selectively processed at the downstream terminal by processing the signal on the analog output path if the signal comprises analog video data and processing the signal on the digital output path if the signal comprises data to be converted to a digital bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Martin Bouda, Takao Naito
  • Patent number: 7941055
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for upgrading the network rate of a Passive Optical Network (PON), which mainly includes: upgrading the optical fiber line rate of the central office device, and adapting, by the network terminal device, the working rate of the upstream/downstream line automatically to the optical fiber line rate of the central office device according to a downstream data flow transmitted from the central office device. Using the method of this invention, the network rate of the PON can be upgraded without replacing the network terminal and without a manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Jun Zhao, Peilong Tan, Tao Jiang, Feng Wang, Jun Chen, Yuntao Wang, Huafeng Lin, Guo Wei
  • Publication number: 20110097086
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical broadcast systems (100,140,160,180). The nodes of the system can be any combination of cores, caches, input/output devices, and memory, or any other information processing, transmitting, or storing device. The optical broadcast system includes an optical broadcast bus (142,162,182). Any node of the system in optical communication with the broadcast bus can broadcast information in optical signals to all other nodes in optical communication with the broadcast bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Nathan L. Binkert, Dana M. Vantrease, Moray Mclaren, Marco Fiorentino
  • Publication number: 20110091212
    Abstract: An optical multi-drop path is set to a downstream direction, an optical path between adjacent nodes is set to a upstream direction, a packet sorting unit is provided for appropriately controlling packet streams in the downstream direction and upstream direction, and one-to-one or one-to-N communication can be performed not only between servers and clients but also between the clients even when a multi-drop transmission is used in the downstream direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Naomichi Nonaka
  • Patent number: 7929862
    Abstract: After implementing a scrambler upon an electric signal of digital signals to be transmitted to a user terminal, this electric signal is converted into a digital optical signal, and an analog optical signal and this digital optical signal are multiplexed by wavelength division multiplexing, thereby reducing influence of cross-talk interference that is exerted on the analog optical signal by the digital optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hakomori, Hiroshi Nishimoto, Akihiko Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7925164
    Abstract: An optical line terminal (OLT) performs power management control in a passive optical network (PON) by acquiring a respective reception level for each optical network unit (ONU) in the PON and maintaining a reception table that stores the respective reception level for each ONU. Prior to receiving a burst signal from an ONU, it sets a reception threshold of an optical receiver at the OLT with the reception level of the ONU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Broadlight Ltd.
    Inventors: Gal Sitton, Jacob Harel, Ifat Naaman
  • Patent number: 7925157
    Abstract: A ranging method and system for passive optical network, and an optical network unit are provided. The ranging method includes: sending an initial ranging signal to a splitter loop-back device and recording a current sending time as a first time; receiving a loop-back ranging signal from the splitter loop-back device, and determining whether the loop-back ranging signal is a return signal of the initial ranging signal; if the loop-back ranging signal is a return signal of the initial ranging signal, recording a current receiving time as a second time; and obtaining ranging information by calculating a difference between the first time and the second time, and performing a ranging on the basis of the ranging information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaogeng Xu, Chan Zhao
  • Patent number: 7923855
    Abstract: The disclosure describes communication of information between a network interface device and subscriber devices over a power line. A UPS unit receives operating power from subscriber premises via a first power line and delivers operating power to the network interface device via a second power line. The network interface device transmits and receives information, such as voice, video and data, to and from the UPS unit via the second power line. The UPS unit receives the information transmitted by the network interface device via the second power line, and transmits the received information to subscriber devices within the premises via the first power line. The UPS unit receives information transmitted by subscriber devices via the first power line, and transmits the received information to the network interface device via the second power line. The first and second power lines each serve as both a power line and a communication medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Biegert
  • Patent number: 7920791
    Abstract: Regarding the passive optical network (PON) system of the present invention, in an OLT, data of different bit rates is framed, and framed data rows are subjected to FEC encoding processing without changing the line up of the data, and a check bit is added to the end of the frame, and an optical signal that has been modulated in accordance with the data row to which the check bit has been added is transmitted to the optical transmission line. Then in an ONU that corresponds to a high speed bit rate to which an optical signal from the OLT has been applied via a power splitter, forward error correction of the reception data is performed. As a result in a PON system in which data of different bit rates coexist, the minimum reception rate of a high speed ONU can be improved without having an influence on a low speed ONU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshio Sakai, Kazuyuki Mori
  • Publication number: 20110076022
    Abstract: An optical communications network that is composed of one station-side equipment being connected to plural subscriber-side equipments. The station-side equipment refers to downstream data signals and prepares transmission plans, and generates downstream control signals that include the transmission plans, and converts downstream signals, that include the downstream data signals and the downstream control signals to which identifiers indicating the subscriber-side equipments that are addressees are assigned, into downstream optical signals, and sends the downstream optical signals out toward the subscriber-side equipments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicants: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD., OF Networks Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Tamai, Yasuyuki Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7912375
    Abstract: An optical transceiver performs an optical transmitting and receiving operation, and has a first memory and an external interface. The external interface receives information from a host device and writes the received information in the first memory. The external interface reads the information from the first memory in response to an external command and transfers externally the read information. The information includes at least one of an operation start date, when the optical transceiver starts the optical transmitting and receiving operation, and an operation termination date, when the optical transceiver terminates the optical transmitting and receiving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Harufusa Kondo, Masahiko Ishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7912372
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive optical network, which inexpensively improves the spectral efficiency of an access network and is capable of increasing the number of subscribers per channel by using WDM in combination with Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) or SubCarrier Multiple Access (SCMA) to expand a conventional WDM passive optical network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chang Hee Lee, Jin Serk Baik, Keun Youl Park, Seung Hyun Jang, Ki Man Choi, Hyun Sik Min
  • Patent number: 7907849
    Abstract: A communication system, the communication system includes: a first decision entity; and a long laser that includes a first reflector and a second reflector; wherein a lasing characteristic of the long laser is responsive to: (i) first data unit that is provided by a first user and affects a reflection spectrum of the first reflector, and (ii) second data unit that is provided by a second user and affects a reflection spectrum of the second reflector; and wherein the first decision entity is adapted to receive the first data unit and information representative of the lasing characteristic, as well as to determine (i) a relationship between the first data unit and the second data unit, or (ii) a content of the second data unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ramot At Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventor: Jacob Scheuer
  • Publication number: 20110058812
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to optical multiprocessing buses. In one embodiment, an optical broadcast bus includes a repeater, a fan-in bus optically coupled to a number of nodes and the repeater, and a fan-out bus optically coupled to the nodes and the repeater. The fan-in bus is configured to receive optical signals from each node and transmit the optical signals to the repeater, which regenerates the optical signals. The fan-out bus is configured to receive the regenerated optical signals output from the repeater and distribute the regenerated optical signals to the nodes. The repeater can also serve as an arbiter by granting one node at a time access to the fan-in bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Renne Ty Tan, Moray Mclaren, Joseph Straznicky, Paul Kessler Rosenberg, Huei Pei Kuo
  • Patent number: 7903972
    Abstract: Systems and methods for signal conversion with smart multitap are disclosed. Embodiments of the systems can be scalable to model different signal topologies, transmission frequencies, bandwidths, and distances. An exemplary embodiment of the systems and methods includes a fiber optic to RF converter and a smart multitap. Although a fiber optic to RF converter is used in exemplary embodiments throughout the disclosure, conversion between other signal topologies is within the scope of the disclosure. The smart multitap includes a multiple tap for distributing a signal to multiple terminals and a microprocessor to select a particular terminal for a signal. Exemplary embodiments include downstream implementations in which a stream is typically sent from a service provider server to a user. Alternative embodiments include downstream implementations as well as upstream implementations in which a user typically sends a stream to a service provider server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Robert R. Riggsby
  • Patent number: 7899328
    Abstract: A method for operating a passive optical network transmitting sub-frames of data arranged in a common transmission frame in at least two signalling modes from an optical line termination to a plurality of optical network units comprises the step of arranging first sub-frames of data to be transmitted in a first signalling mode which requires lower specifications of the optical network units ahead of second sub-frames of data to be transmitted in a second signalling mode which requires higher specifications of the optical network units. The invention is also realized in an optical line termination which comprises means for performing the method, a passive optical network equipped with such an optical line termination, and a corresponding transmission frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel — Lucent
    Inventor: Heinz-Georg Krimmel
  • Patent number: 7899323
    Abstract: A device may include a first network module to capture network data at a first location in a network and a second network module to capture network data at a second location in the network different from the first location in the network. The device may include a control module to receive control commands relating to the first network module and the second network module. The control module may forwarded the control commands to the first network module and the second network module. The control module may receive the captured network data from the first network module and the second network module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Rosa M. Underwood, Henry A. McKelvey, Umang A. Patel
  • Patent number: 7899329
    Abstract: On an optical access network, transmission at different bit rates is realized without modifying subscriber units. A low-speed signal generating part generates a low-speed signal having a low bit rate. A high-speed signal generating part generates a high-speed signal having a high bit rate. A recovery signal generating part generates a recovery signal. A multiplex part generates and sends a multiplexed signal obtained by multiplexing the low-speed signal, the high-speed signal, and the recovery signal. A reception processing part performs processing for receiving the multiplexed signal by extracting clocks from the low-bit-rate signal. When the reception processing part enters a free running state in response to receiving the high-speed signal, the recovery signal generating part generates the recovery signal at a low bit rate in order to recover clock synchronization from the free running state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuji Yamabana
  • Publication number: 20110044690
    Abstract: Infrared control signals are communicated between an infrared remote control unit (16) and an infrared controlled device (18) via network gateways (14). A sub-network of a backbone network (10) is automatically set up prior to transmission of messages. The sub-network comprises a selection of devices coupled to a backbone network (10). The setting up of the sub-network comprises automatically sending out a request from the first one of the network gateways (14) to detect network gateways (14) that indicate ability to transmit infrared control messages prior to transmission of the message and storing information defining the sub-network in the first one of the network gateways dependent to a response to the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ghiath Al-Kadi, Ajay Kapoor
  • Publication number: 20110044688
    Abstract: A remotely optically amplified passive optical network (PON) system, an optical line terminal, and a remote node, and an optical amplification and gain-clamping methods of the PON system are provided. The PON system generates pump light and transmits the generated pump light to an optical transmission line, amplifies primarily an optical signal by the pump light which pumps the optical transmission line, and amplifies secondarily the optical signal by the transmitted pump light which pumps a gain medium of a remote node while maintaining a gain of the optical signal by applying a gain-clamping method to the remote node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Han-Hyub LEE, Sang-Soo LEE
  • Patent number: 7885549
    Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for activating services in a Passive Optical Networking (PON) system. In accordance with such an embodiment, an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) within the PON system is pre-provisioned with PON services and with at least a portion of information required for facilitating automatic activation of the PON services. Pre-provisioning is defined herein to mean that such provisioning is performed prior to installing an ONT (i.e., a network interface device) that will serve such to services at the service subscriber's site and that is controlled by the OLT. After installation of the ONT is complete, the PON services served by the ONT are automatically activated using at least a portion of the pre-provisioned information and information discovered about the ONT during a post-installation discovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Arthur Martin Thinguldstad, Jonathan Stuart Huffman, David Keith Hansen, Duane Richard Remein
  • Publication number: 20110029773
    Abstract: A network component comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to exchange security information using a plurality of attributes in a management entity (ME) in an optical network unit (ONU) via an ONU management control interface (OMCI) channel, wherein the attributes provide security features for the ONU and an optical line terminal (OLT). Also included is an apparatus comprising an ONU configured to couple to an OLT and comprising an OMCI ME, wherein the OMCI ME comprises a plurality of attributes that support a plurality of security features for transmissions between the ONU and the OLT, and wherein the attributes are communicated via an OMCI channel between the ONU and the OLT and provide the security features for the ONU and the OLT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Frank J. Effenberger
  • Patent number: 7877014
    Abstract: A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. At a data service hub, a digitized-RF-to-packet converter (DRPC) can convert the RF packets into standard sized packets such as Ethernet packets for processing by a video services controller. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Enablence Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Farmer, Stephen A. Thomas, Patrick W. Quinn, Deven J. Anthony
  • Patent number: 7873276
    Abstract: A system and method for registration of network units is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an optical network unit (ONU) in a passive optical network (PON) that can have a controller element to receive a registration code, send the registration code and a serial number of the ONU to an optical line terminal (OLT) that configures the ONU for temporary connectivity with the PON, and upon an expiration of the registration code or a termination of the temporary connectivity, re-send the serial number to the OLT to re-configure the connectivity with the PON. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James Fan, Dick Kwan
  • Publication number: 20110008045
    Abstract: A system, and methods for detecting collisions on multipoint shared optical media, comprising an optical receiver, clock phase detector, clock recovery circuit, and a Passive Optical Network (PON) that transmits optical signals wherein the PON, the clock recovery circuit, and the clock phase detector are communicably coupled to the optical receiver, detecting of the collision is determined by a distortion of transition times of the optical signals at the optical receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: ALCATEL-LUCENT USA, INC.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Williams
  • Patent number: 7869687
    Abstract: Channel switching system and method of an IPTV service in a passive optical network (PON) are disclosed. To reduce a channel switching time of an IPTV system in the passive optical network, the system and the method use a channel switching control module and a channel list module in the passive optical network. In a case where a passive optical network system receives an IPTV channel switching request transmitted from a terminal user, the channel switching control module checks a recording of a channel list module and a recording of an authentication list module, and then updates a filter recording of an optical network unit to thereby directly transmit an image flow of a new channel in the passive optical network. When such system and method are applied to the passive optical network, high-speed switching of the IPTV service channel by the terminal user can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ikeda, Nie Yaling
  • Patent number: 7865077
    Abstract: An optical communication system has two or more active interfaces, each controlling the transmission and reception of optical signals between a communication network and one or more subscriber terminals according to control information pertaining to the individual subscriber terminals. The control information used by all the active interfaces is stored in a memory. The optical communication system also has a standby interface that is functionally equivalent to the active interfaces, and an optical switching apparatus that switches data transmission paths among the network, the active and standby interfaces, and the subscriber terminals. If a fault is detected in an active interface, the standby interface extracts the control information of the faulty interface from the memory, and the optical switching apparatus switches the data transmission paths so that the standby interface replaces the faulty interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Mukojima
  • Patent number: 7860121
    Abstract: Forwarding loop prevention apparatus and methods are provided. After a communication traffic block such as a packet is received, a determination is made as to whether the packet is to be broadcasted to a number of communication devices. If the packet is to be broadcasted, the packet is modified to include an indication that the packet is reflected, and the packet is broadcasted. A device that receives the broadcasted packet determines whether it is reflected and whether the identifier is associated with the device. If the packet is reflected and the identifier is associated with the device, the device discards the packet. Otherwise it forwards the packet. Forwarding loops may instead be avoided without modifying packets, based on an amount of time elapsed between sending and receiving a packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cortina Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Chen
  • Patent number: 7860393
    Abstract: A system and method for simultaneous delivery of a plurality of independent blocks of 500 MHz digital broadcast television services, stacking a plurality of RF blocks on a plurality of spectrally sliced WDM optical bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Martin Birk, Patrick P. Iannone, Kenneth C. Reichmann, Nicholas J. Frigo, Cedric F. Lam
  • Patent number: 7848652
    Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network system is provided. A central office generates a multi-mode light having a mode interval equal to a period interval of a multiplexing filter of the remote node and the multi-mode light is used to control a wavelength of an uplink transmission optical signal of the optical network unit. A remote node multiplexes the multi-mode light with the multiplexing filter to transmit the multiplexed multi-mode light to the optical network unit and demultiplexes the uplink transmission optical signal to transmit the demultiplexed uplink transmission optical signal to the central office. An the optical network unit generates the uplink transmission optical signal by modulating a data signal with a Fabry-Perot laser which uses the multiplexed multi-mode light as an injection optical source. Accordingly, it is possible to control a wavelength of a transmitter of the optical network unit by using the injection optical source generated by the central office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Moon Seob Lee, Byung Tak Lee, Hyun Seo Kang, Jai Sang Koh