Patent ID: 7630642
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: H04B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A ranging method for an access network system in which a distributor/multiplexer for splitting one input signal into N(N is 2 or higher integer) and outputting the signals, or multiplexing N number of input signals into one signal and outputting the signal is installed at one end of a common transmission line, and 1 to N communication based on code division multiplexing is performed between an optical line terminal connected to the other end of said common transmission line and first to N-th optical network units connected respectively to N number of split transmission lines formed by being split by said distributor/multiplexer, the method comprising: a first step of sending a transmission stop instruction from said optical line terminal to all of said first to N-th optical network units respectively so as to set all of said first to N-th optical network units to standby status; a second step of sending a first and second transmission enable signals from said optical line terminal to said first and second optical network units respectively; a third step of, in said first and second optical network units, reading first and second phase shift information provided by first and second control signals for said first and second optical network units included in said first and second transmission enable signals, setting first and second phase shift amounts according to said first and second phase shift information respectively in first and second variable phase shifters of said first and second optical network units respectively, and simultaneously sending first and second reply signals from said first and second optical network units to said optical line terminal respectively; a fourth step of, in a first receive section and a second receive section of said optical line terminal corresponding to said first and second optical network units, attempting simultaneous receive of first and second fixed signals included in said first and second reply signals; a fifth step in which if said first and second fixed signals cannot be received in said fourth step, processing returns to the second step and said optical line terminal sends an instruction to said first optical network unit and/or said second optical network unit to set a phase shift amount different from said first and second phase shift amounts which have been set in said third step, and if said first and second fixed signals can be received, said optical line terminal sends first and second receive synchronization completion notice signals to said first and second optical network units respectively, and said first and second phase shift amounts are defined and fixed as phase shift amounts of said first and second variable phase shifters of said first and second optical network units respectively; a sixth step of, from said optical line terminal, sending an n-th (n is an integer in the 3 to N range) transmission enable signal to an n-th optical network unit; a seventh step of, in said n-th optical network unit, reading said n-th phase shift information provided by an n-th control signal included in said n-th transmission enable signal, setting said n-th phase shift amount according to said n-th phase shift information for an n-th variable phase shifter of said n-th optical network unit, and sending a n-th reply signal to said optical line terminal; an eighth step of, in an n-th receive section of said optical line terminal corresponding to said n-th optical network unit, attempting to receive an n-th fixed signal included in said n-th reply signal sent from said n-th optical network unit respectively; and a ninth step in which if said n-th fixed signal cannot be received in said eighth step, processing returns to said sixth step, and said optical line terminal sends an instruction to said n-th optical network unit to set a phase shift amount different from said n-th phase shift amount which has been set in said seventh step, and if said n-th fixed signal can be received, said optical line terminal sends an n-th receive synchronization completion notice signal to said n-th optical network unit, and said n-th phase shift amount is defined and fixed as said n-th phase shift amount of said n-th variable phase shifter of said n-th optical network unit, wherein from said sixth step to said ninth step, said optical line terminal receives an i-th reply signal (i is an integer in a 1 to (n−1) range and i≠n) which is sent from at least one i-th optical network unit out of said first to (n−1)th optical network units, executes processing sequentially from the case of n=3 to the case of n=N, and processing ends when said sixth step to said ninth step for n=N are executed.