Patent ID: 8958694
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
1. A system for inserting a narrowcast overlay wavelength in a passive optical network (PON), the system comprising: at least one broadcast transmitter for generating broadcast optical signals for transmission using a broadcast overlay wavelength in a forward path, wherein the forward path transmits through an optical fiber associated with the passive optical network PON; a plurality of narrowcast transmitters, each generating narrowcast optical signals using the narrowcast overlay wavelength; and a multiplexer for inserting the narrowcast overlay wavelength into a broadcast PON port for combining the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength; an interface port for transmission of the narrowcast overlay wavelength with the broadcast overlay wavelength via a first optical fiber in the forward path, wherein the narrowcast overlay wavelength is offset from the broadcast overlay wavelength, and wherein an optical network termination (ONT) unit converts optical signals to electrical signals at an endpoint of the passive optical network (PON), wherein the ONT unit includes at least one of an optical transmitter for transmitting a return optical signal over a different optical fiber than that which provides optical signals or an RF transmitter for transmitting a return RF signal over a coaxial cable.