Patent ID: 8693868
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. An interface device for providing an interface for a first network with a passive optical network (PON), comprising: a receiver configured to receive optical communication signals from the PON; a serialization/de-serialization (SER/DES) circuit coupled to the receiver that supports serialization and de-serialization of data; a protocol detection circuit configured to generate a verification signal that is indicative of whether the optical communication signals conform to a first optical communication protocol or a second optical communication protocol based on protocol status information; a Media Access Control (MAC) layer module that includes two separate MAC devices controllably multiplexed to the SER/DES circuit and is configured to provide addressing and channel access control for either the first optical communication protocol or the second optical communication protocol; and a switchover control circuit that controls at least one multiplexer to cause one of the two separate MAC devices to be coupled with the SER/DES circuit in response to the verification signal.