Distributed passive optical networks

Abstract

A passive optical network includes one or more multi-service terminals each having a housing and a plurality of ruggedized plug-receiving distribution ports accessible from outside the housing. The multi-service terminals also each include an optical power splitter or wave division multiplexer for splitting an optical signal and directing the split signal to the plug-receiving distribution ports. Some of the multi-service terminals provide a different power split ratio from others of the multi-service terminals.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An optical communications terminal comprising:
 a terminal body defining a sealed interior;   a wave division multiplexer disposed within the sealed interior of the body, the wave division multiplexer having an input and a plurality of outputs, the wave division multiplexer being configured to split optical signals carried by the input by wavelength onto the outputs; and   a terminal input optically coupled to the input of the wave division multiplexer;   a plurality of ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted on the terminal body, the ruggedized fiber optic adapters including outer plug-receiving ports accessible from outside the housing, each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters receiving a respective one of the outputs of the wave division multiplexer.   
     
     
         4 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the terminal input includes an optical connector interface. 
     
     
         5 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 4 , wherein the optical connector interface includes an input port of an optical adapter disposed at the terminal body. 
     
     
         6 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 4 , wherein the optical connector interface includes an optical socket. 
     
     
         7 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 4 , wherein the optical connector interface includes an optical connector. 
     
     
         8 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 4 , wherein the connector interface is ruggedized to seal the interior of the terminal body. 
     
     
         9 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the terminal input includes a cable port. 
     
     
         10 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 9 , wherein stub fibers extend through the cable port to the input of the wave division multiplexer. 
     
     
         11 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 9 , wherein optical fibers to be spliced extend through the cable port to the input of the wave division multiplexer. 
     
     
         12 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the outputs of the wave divisional multiplexer include connectorized pigtails. 
     
     
         13 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes two ruggedized fiber optic adapters. 
     
     
         14 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes four ruggedized fiber optic adapters. 
     
     
         15 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes six ruggedized fiber optic adapters. 
     
     
         16 . The optical communications terminal of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes eight ruggedized fiber optic adapters. 
     
     
         17 . A network framework deployed in a geographic region, the network framework comprising:
 a first terminal mounting location disposed at a first position within the geographic region, the first terminal mounting location being devoid of a terminal;   a second terminal mounting location disposed at a second position within the geographic region, the second terminal mounting location being devoid of a terminal;   a first conduit providing a first pathway to the first terminal;   a first optical fiber routed through the first conduit to the first terminal mounting location so that a connectorized end of the first optical fiber is disposed at the first terminal mounting location;   a second conduit providing a second pathway between the first terminal mounting location and the second terminal mounting location; and   a second optical fiber routed through the second conduit from the first terminal mounting location to the second terminal mounting location, the second optical fiber having a first connectorized end disposed at the first terminal mounting location and a second connectorized end disposed at the second terminal mounting location.   
     
     
         18 . The network framework of  claim 17 , wherein the first terminal mounting location includes a handhole. 
     
     
         19 . The network framework of  claim 17 , wherein the first terminal mounting location includes a pedestal. 
     
     
         20 . The network framework of  claim 17 , wherein the second terminal mounting location includes a handhole. 
     
     
         21 . The network framework of  claim 17 , wherein the second terminal mounting location includes a pedestal. 
     
     
         22 . The network framework of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second terminal mounting locations are disposed at opposite sides of a street.