Patent US5864413A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5864413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Passive optical network for dense WDM downstream data transmission and upstream data transmission
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1996-02-23
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Granted: 1999-01-26
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Expires: 2016-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A passive optical network for the downstream dense wavelength division multiplexing communication of data between a host terminal complex (HTC) and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), and for the upstream communication of data from the ONUs to the HTC. The network includes a routing device for distributing downstream data signals contained in a common frequency band among a plurality of fiber drop lines for providing a corresponding wavelength to a corresponding ONU. The routing device also combines upstream data signals contained in a frequency band other than the downstream common frequency band, which are input to the routing device on the plurality of fiber drop lines, to a multi-wavelength signal which is provided to the HTC. In a preferred embodiment, the upstream data signals are output by the routing device to a broadcast port.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Feldman
- 👤 Clinton R. Giles
- 👤 Thomas H. Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04J; H04J14/00; H04J14/02; H04J14/0278; H04J14/0282; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/27; H04B10/272; H04J14/0226; H04J14/0227; H04J14/0241; H04J14/0242; H04J14/0245; H04J14/0246; H04J14/0249; H04J14/025; H04J14/03; H04J14/0307
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
358 words
A passive optical network for communicating to a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), by wavelength division multiplexing, downstream optical data generated by a multi-wavelength source (MS) of an upstream host terminal complex (HTC) and having discrete wavelengths contained in a first frequency band, and for communicating to the HTC upstream optical data generated by the plurality of ONUs and having wavelengths contained in a second frequency band, said network comprising: a feeder fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to the HTC for carrying the downstream optical data from the MS for distribution to the ONUs and for carrying the upstream optical data to the HTC; means for routing the downstream and upstream optical data between the HTC and ONUs and having at least one upstream port and a plurality of downstream ports, said routing means being capable of routing a continuous spectrum of optical wavelengths, said continuous spectrum including the second frequency band; a plurality of optic fiber drops, each having one end connected to a separate one of said plurality of downstream ports and an opposite end connected to a respective one of said plurality of ONUs for carrying downstream data in the form of a respective discrete wavelength contained in the first frequency band to the respective ONU, and for carrying upstream optical data in the form of wavelengths contained in the second frequency band and transmitted to said routing means; said upstream port of said routing means being connected to said second end of said feeder fiber optic cable for communicating upstream optical data to the HTC and for distributing the downstream optical data to said ONUs, said routing means being operable for dividing the downstream optical data into the discrete wavelengths and outputting each discrete wavelength to a respective optical fiber drop for receipt by a respective ONU, and for combining wavelengths in said second frequency band carrying said upstream optical data into a single signal, at least in part by a technique other than wavelength division multiplexing, and outputting said single signal to said feeder fiber optic cable for receipt by said HTC.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
358 words
A passive optical network for communicating to a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), by wavelength division multiplexing, downstream optical data generated by a multi-wavelength source (MS) of an upstream host terminal complex (HTC) and having discrete wavelengths contained in a first frequency band, and for communicating to the HTC upstream optical data generated by the plurality of ONUs and having wavelengths contained in a second frequency band, said network comprising: a feeder fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to the HTC for carrying the downstream optical data from the MS for distribution to the ONUs and for carrying the upstream optical data to the HTC; means for routing the downstream and upstream optical data between the HTC and ONUs and having at least one upstream port and a plurality of downstream ports, said routing means being capable of routing a continuous spectrum of optical wavelengths, said continuous spectrum including the second frequency band; a plurality of optic fiber drops, each having one end connected to a separate one of said plurality of downstream ports and an opposite end connected to a respective one of said plurality of ONUs for carrying downstream data in the form of a respective discrete wavelength contained in the first frequency band to the respective ONU, and for carrying upstream optical data in the form of wavelengths contained in the second frequency band and transmitted to said routing means; said upstream port of said routing means being connected to said second end of said feeder fiber optic cable for communicating upstream optical data to the HTC and for distributing the downstream optical data to said ONUs, said routing means being operable for dividing the downstream optical data into the discrete wavelengths and outputting each discrete wavelength to a respective optical fiber drop for receipt by a respective ONU, and for combining wavelengths in said second frequency band carrying said upstream optical data into a single signal, at least in part by a technique other than wavelength division multiplexing, and outputting said single signal to said feeder fiber optic cable for receipt by said HTC.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network of claim 1, wherein said routing means combines substantially all upstream signals in the entire second frequency band with substantially equal efficiency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The network of claim 2, wherein said routing means further comprises a plurality of optical filters that direct selective wavelengths within said first frequency band so that the directed wavelengths remain on each respective optical fiber drops cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 3, wherein said optical filters comprise gratings formed on said plurality of optical fiber drops cables.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The network of claim 1, wherein the HTC also generates downstream optical data in a third frequency band so that the optical data in the third frequency band is directed to more than one ONU in said plurality of ONUs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
The network of claim 1, wherein said routing means further comprises an upstream broadcast port, wherein the upstream data is output by said broadcast port and wherein said feeder fiber optic cable further comprises a first and second feeder fiber optic cable, said first cable connected at one end to the HTC and at the other end to said upstream port for carrying downstream optical data from the HTC, and said second cable connected at one end to the HTC and at the other end to said broadcast port for carrying the upstream data to the HTC.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network of claim 3, wherein the second frequency band has wavelength values other than the wavelength values contained in the first frequency band.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The network of claim 3, wherein each ONU contains a receiver for receiving downstream optical data and a transmitter for transmitting upstream optical data, said network comprising downstream coupling means for connecting each said optical fiber drop in said plurality to the transmitters and receivers located in said corresponding ONUs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The network of claim 8, wherein said downstream coupling means comprises a coarse wave division multiplexer included in each of the ONUs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The network of claim 8, wherein the HTC further includes a receiver for receiving the upstream optical data, said network further comprising an upstream coupling means for connecting said feeder fiber to the multi-wavelength source and the receiver of the HTC.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 10, wherein said upstream coupling means comprises a coarse wave division multiplexer included in the HTC.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The network of claim 6, wherein each ONU contains a receiver for receiving downstream optical data and a transmitter for transmitting upstream optical data, said network comprising downstream coupling means for connecting each said optical fiber drop in said plurality to the transmitters and receivers of said corresponding ONUs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The network of claim 12, wherein said downstream coupling means comprises a coarse wave division multiplexer included in each of the ONUs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The network of claim 1, wherein said routing means comprises a router for distributing the downstream optical data to the ONUs, and a combiner for combining the second frequency band into a single signal and outputting said single signal to said feeder fiber optic cable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network of claim 14, wherein said upstream optical data has wavelength values other than the wavelength values defined by the first frequency band.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The network of claim 15, further comprising an upstream fiber for carrying said single signal from said combiner, and a coupling means for coupling said upstream fiber to said feeder fiber optic cable for supplying said single signal to the HTC.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
The network of claim 14, wherein said feeder fiber optic cable further comprises a first and second feeder fiber optic cable, said first cable connected at one end to the HTC and at the other end to said router for carrying downstream optical data from the HTC, and said second cable connected at one end to the HTC and at the other end to said combiner for carrying the upstream data to the HTC.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The network of claim 16, wherein each ONU contains a receiver for receiving downstream optical data and a transmitter for transmitting upstream optical data, said network comprising downstream coupling means for connecting each said optical fiber drop in said plurality to the transmitters and receivers of said corresponding ONUs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The network of claim 18, wherein said downstream coupling means comprises a coarse wave division multiplexer included in each of the ONUs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The network of claim 19, wherein the HTC further includes a receiver for receiving the upstream optical data, said network further comprising an upstream coupling means for connecting said feeder fiber to the multi-wavelength source and the receiver of the HTC.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 20, wherein said upstream coupling means comprises a coarse wave division multiplexer included in the HTC.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The network of claim 1, wherein said technique other than wavelength division multiplexing comprises time division multiplexing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 1, wherein said technique other than wavelength division multiplexing comprises subcarrier multiplexing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The network of claim 1, wherein the multi-wavelength source simultaneously generates optical data signals at discrete wavelengths contained in the first frequency band.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The network of claim 1, wherein the HTC is capable of sequentially generating optical data signals at discrete wavelengths contained in the first frequency band.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 1, wherein the ONUs include wideband optical sources for transmitting upstream data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
356 words
A passive optical network for communicating to a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), by wavelength division multiplexing, downstream optical data generated by a multi-wavelength source (MS) of an upstream host terminal complex (HTC) and having discrete wavelengths contained in a first frequency band, and for communicating to the HTC upstream optical data generated by the plurality of ONUs and having wavelengths contained in a second frequency band, said network comprising: a feeder fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end, said first end connected at one end to the HTC for carrying the downstream optical data from the MS for distribution to the ONUs and for carrying the upstream optical data to the HTC; a means for routing the downstream and upstream optical data between the HTC and ONUs and having at least one upstream port and a plurality of downstream ports, said routing means being capable of routing a continuous spectrum of optical wavelengths, said continuous spectrum including the entire second frequency band, and combining substantially all upstream wavelengths in the entire second frequency band with substantially equal efficiency; a plurality of optic fiber drops, each having one end connected to a separate one of said plurality of downstream ports and an opposite end connected to a respective one of said plurality of ONUs for carrying downstream data in the form of a respective discrete wavelength contained in the first frequency band to the respective ONU, and for carrying upstream optical data in the form of wavelengths contained in the second frequency band and transmitted to said routing means; said upstream port of said routing means being connected to said second end of said feeder fiber optic cable for communicating upstream optical data to the HTC and for distributing the downstream optical data to said ONUs, said routing means dividing the downstream optical data into the discrete wavelengths and outputting each discrete wavelength to a respective optical fiber drop for receipt by a respective ONU, and for combining said upstream signals into a single signal and outputting said single signal to said feeder fiber optic cable for receipt by said HTC.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
356 words
A passive optical network for communicating to a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), by wavelength division multiplexing, downstream optical data generated by a multi-wavelength source (MS) of an upstream host terminal complex (HTC) and having discrete wavelengths contained in a first frequency band, and for communicating to the HTC upstream optical data generated by the plurality of ONUs and having wavelengths contained in a second frequency band, said network comprising: a feeder fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end, said first end connected at one end to the HTC for carrying the downstream optical data from the MS for distribution to the ONUs and for carrying the upstream optical data to the HTC; a means for routing the downstream and upstream optical data between the HTC and ONUs and having at least one upstream port and a plurality of downstream ports, said routing means being capable of routing a continuous spectrum of optical wavelengths, said continuous spectrum including the entire second frequency band, and combining substantially all upstream wavelengths in the entire second frequency band with substantially equal efficiency; a plurality of optic fiber drops, each having one end connected to a separate one of said plurality of downstream ports and an opposite end connected to a respective one of said plurality of ONUs for carrying downstream data in the form of a respective discrete wavelength contained in the first frequency band to the respective ONU, and for carrying upstream optical data in the form of wavelengths contained in the second frequency band and transmitted to said routing means; said upstream port of said routing means being connected to said second end of said feeder fiber optic cable for communicating upstream optical data to the HTC and for distributing the downstream optical data to said ONUs, said routing means dividing the downstream optical data into the discrete wavelengths and outputting each discrete wavelength to a respective optical fiber drop for receipt by a respective ONU, and for combining said upstream signals into a single signal and outputting said single signal to said feeder fiber optic cable for receipt by said HTC.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The network of claim 27, wherein said upstream optical data is transmitted, at least in part, by a technique other than wavelength division multiplexing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The network of claim 27, wherein said routing means further comprises a plurality of optical filters that direct selective wavelengths within said first frequency band so that the directed wavelengths remain on each respective optical fiber drops cable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 29, wherein said optical filters comprise gratings formed on said plurality of optical fiber drops cables.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The network of claim 27, wherein the HTC also generates downstream optical data in a third frequency band so that the optical data in the third frequency band is directed to more than one ONU in said plurality of ONUs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
97 words
The network of claim 27, wherein said routing means further comprises an upstream broadcast port, wherein the upstream data is output by said broadcast port and wherein said feeder fiber optic cable further comprises a first and second feeder fiber optic cable, said first cable connected at one end to the HTC and at the other end to said upstream port for carrying downstream optical data from the HTC, and said second cable connected at one end to the HTC and at the other end to said broadcast port for carrying the upstream data to the HTC.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 27, wherein the ONUs include wideband optical sources for transmitting upstream data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-25 | 2002-07-27 | 2003-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | 2007-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-25 | 2010-07-27 | 2011-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |