Monitoring multiple passive optical networks

Abstract

A PON system comprising multiple PONs, each having a respective intelligent splitter monitor (ISM). In addition to having a passive optical splitter therein, an ISM also has several remotely powered active components configured to monitor the presence of uplink light signals on the ports of the splitter and communicate with the central office using out-of-band optical signals. These ISM functionalities enable the network operator, e.g., to automatically map PON connectivity, pairing each port on the splitter with a distinct optical network unit. The PON system further comprises an optical module connected to the multiple PONs through an optical switch in a manner that supports shared access to said module by the corresponding multiple ISMs. In an example embodiment, the optical module comprises an optical transceiver capable of communicating with the ISM transceivers and one or more lasers configured to provide high-intensity light for remotely charging the ISM batteries.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising:
 a passive optical router connectable to route light between a first optical fiber and a plurality of second optical fibers;   an optical receiver configured to receive a first modulated optical signal applied to the apparatus by the first optical fiber, said first modulated optical signal having a first wavelength;   a photovoltaic cell configured to charge a capacitor in response to light applied to the apparatus by the first optical fiber, said applied light having a second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength; and   an electronic controller configured to control electrical-power distribution from the capacitor to power the optical receiver and the electronic controller.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising an array of photodetectors, each individual one of the photodetectors being configured to detect data-modulated light applied to the passive optical router by a corresponding individual one of the second optical fibers; and
 wherein the electronic controller is further configured to control the electrical-power distribution from the capacitor to power the array.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising an optical transmitter configured to generate a second modulated optical signal in response to the data-modulated light detected by the individual ones of the photodetectors; and
 wherein the electronic controller is further configured to control the electrical-power distribution from the capacitor to power the optical transmitter.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second modulated optical signal has a third wavelength that is different from the first and second wavelengths. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the passive optical router is configured to route data-modulated light between an optical line terminal and a plurality of optical network units of a passive optical network.