Patent ID: 8565599
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for transmitting optical markers in a passive optical network (PON) system, comprising: transmitting a first optical marker signal, the first optical marker signal modulated to include information identifying an optical network unit (ONU) type configured to transmit at an upstream wavelength corresponding to the first optical marker signal; transmitting a second optical marker signal, the second optical marker signal modulated to include information identifying an ONU type configured to transmit at an upstream wavelength corresponding to the second optical marker signal; at a distribution node of the PON, routing the first optical marker signal to a first set of one or more optical fibers in the PON, each optical fiber corresponding to a first upstream wavelength; at the distribution node of the PON, routing the second optical marker signal to a second set of one or more optical fibers in the PON, each optical fiber corresponding to a second upstream wavelength; receiving either the first marker signal or the second marker signal at a location downstream of the distribution node, the location being a location at which an ONU is not coupled to the PON; determining an ONU type identified in the received marker signal; and coupling an ONU to the PON based on the determined ONU type.