Abstract:
A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber gateway using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and copper wires or coax cable from the subscriber gateway, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by a subscriber or customer remote device or gateway are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges. Additionally the system is free of monthly meter charges and does not require a separate power network.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is filed under 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) as a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11/369,512, which was filed on Mar. 01, 2006 under 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the provisional Patent Application No. 60/657,511 filed on Mar. 01, 2005, now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to fiber optic communication networks, more specifically to the powering architecture of broadband access networks and particularly to subscriber powering of broadband access networks. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   With increasing customer demand for transmitting and receiving increasingly greater amounts of information, telecommunication and cable companies are being pushed to upgrade their communication network infrastructures. In order to supply more information in the form of video, audio and telephony at higher rates, higher bandwidth communication network upgrades are required. Twisted copper wire does not support high bandwidths over a great distance and while coax cable does a better job, it too has reach and bandwidth limitations. Optical fiber can provide virtually unlimited bandwidth thus enabling broadband and multimedia services. 
   Modern telephone communication network infrastructures, such as fiber in the loop networks (FITL), utilize a combination of fiber optics and twisted pair wire to send communications data to a customer. While modern cable communication network infrastructures, such as Hybrid Fiber Coax networks (HFC), utilize a combination of fiber optics and coax cable to send communication data to a customer. Generally, customers are served by the twisted pair wire or coax cable in the last mile of the telecommunication networks or within the last two to three miles of cable networks. In order to achieve high bandwidths at a customer location, the fiber optic loop must be brought closer to the customer so that the copper drop is of a sufficiently short distance and will be capable of supporting higher data transfer rates. 
   One major problem with bringing fiber cable within a short distance of a customer location is the added burden of maintaining the multitude of optical to copper drop sites. These drop sites are network elements that are called optical network units (ONUs) or optical network terminals (ONTs) in telecommunication networks and optical node (or simply a node) in cable networks and generally serve to convert signals between the optical domain of a fiber and electrical domain of a twisted copper wire or coax cable. 
   A significant part of the maintenance of these drop sites is supplying their power requirements. Optical fiber itself is not capable of carrying the electricity to power these drop sites. This creates a challenge in planning, distributing and deployment of electricity to power the drop sites&#39; energy needs. Furthermore, reserve power must also be provided if the main power to the drop site fails with enough reserve capacity capable of meeting performance and reliability requirements of the network. This is often the case with Lifeline telephony service, which is required on telecommunication networks. Lifeline telephone means that the customer telephones must remain energized and operational during an AC power interruption or outage. 
   The subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment (CPE) found at the terminal end of the telecommunication and cable networks are assumed to be provided with power and reserve power from the subscriber or customer premise. The drop sites can be centrally powered from a distributed copper facility or a power node located near a cluster of drop sites, or locally powered from a nearby commercial power source, or with solar photovoltaic energy. 
   In the case of centralized power, power can be provided over new or existing copper facilities. Power can also be provided on separate twisted pair wire or coax cable that are bonded to the outside of a fiber or deployed with the fiber during installation of the fiber. However, centralized power is a strategy that requires a separate power network to be deployed that is separate from the information network. With increasing distances between a central office (CO) or head end to the remote drop sites increased voltages are required on the power network to feed the drop site energy needs. However, increased voltages raise craft safety issues. The power network may be augmented with power nodes located near a cluster of drop sites, however additional metallic enclosures increase susceptibility to electrical surges caused by lightning and power-line induction. Furthermore, there is the 24-hour a day cost of supplying electricity to the power network, as well as regular maintenance and support of the power network itself including regular replacement of batteries for Lifeline services, which are generally located at the CO or head end. 
   In the case of locally powered drop sites, power is derived near a drop site and reserve power is provided with batteries at the drop site. The primary energy source for this architecture is commercial AC power tapped from a power utility&#39;s facility. The power supply is placed in a small environmentally hardened enclosure that could be co-located with a drop site; however, the batteries are generally in the same enclosure as the drop site. This results in a large number of battery sites and power access points. Generally the cost of this type of system is high primarily due to the cost of connecting drop sites to a commercial power source. Regional power utility companies may insist on metered connections to their power grid, incurring a one-time ac meter installation and connection charge to be levied. Additionally a minimum monthly meter charge may be levied regardless of usage. This poses a major problem when the monthly energy consumption of a drop site is significantly lower than the minimum charge. 
   In the case of powering the communication network infrastructure with solar power, this strategy minimizes some of the disadvantages of centralized and locally powering such as vulnerability to lightning and limited battery reserve, allowing fiber to be the sole distribution facility. Solar panels and large batteries are co-located at drop sites, which power the drop sites continuously without any connection to any power gird. However, its use is limited to areas with direct access to sunlight as the output of solar panels decreases with a reduction in incident solar energy. Therefore, this strategy cannot be used everywhere. In addition, solar power requires the highest amount of battery capacity (Wh) to be installed. 
   As such, a need exists for a system and method for powering a fiber optic communication network that brings fiber within a short distance of a subscriber or customer location. The power strategy or architecture of the fiber optic communication network must be capable of supporting and operating the multitude of drop sites in a cost effective and maintainable manner. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the present invention, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by a subscriber or customer remote device or gateway are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits may be achieved using the present invention. For example, the present invention has the advantage of being free of any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges. Additionally the present invention is free of monthly meter charges, although local regulations may require reimbursement to subscribers for power used. Furthermore, the present invention does not create a separate power network. The information network and the power network are the same network. 
   In general, in one aspect, the invention includes a system for powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network, such as a fiber in the loop network, which transmits communication data between a central office (CO) and subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment. The network element, such as a drop site, serves to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and copper wires to the subscriber&#39;s gateway. The subscriber gateway or a remote user device further includes a DC power source, a high-speed client modem, and a Subscriber Line Interface Circuit (SLIC) device that includes means for coupling the communications of the client modem and the DC power output of the DC power source. The network element further includes a high-speed CO modem, a DC-to-DC power converter, and a Data Access Arrangement (DAA) device that includes means for coupling communications of the CO modem and delivers the DC power from the subscriber gateway to the DC-to-DC power converter. A pair of copper wires that is in electrical communication between the subscriber gateway and the network element serves as a medium for DC power transfer to the network element and for modem communications. In this way, the network element is powered by the subscriber premise over the copper wires and the modems are in communication over the same copper wires. 
   Aspects of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The fiber optic network is a fiber in the loop network such as a Fiber to the Curb (FTTC) network, a Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) network, a Fiber to the Node (FTTN) network, or a Fiber to the Basement (FTTB) network. Furthermore, the Fiber in the loop network may be a point-to-point network or a point-to-multipoint network, such as a Passive Optical Network (PON). For example, the Fiber in the loop network may be a point-to-point Fiber to the Curb network (FTTC-P2P) or a passive optical Fiber to the Curb network (FTTC-PON) implementation. The modems, according to the invention, may be Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) type of modems such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) modems, Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber line (VDSL) modems, or Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line 2 (VDSL2) modems. The modems may also be Power Line, also called Power Line Communication or Power Line Carrier (PLC), modems. The SLIC and DAA devices may comprise coupling capacitors, coupling transformers, blocking inductors, or perform inductive coupling. Furthermore, the SLIC and DAA devices may include elements for low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, and/or high pass filtering. The SLIC device will limit the current of the transmitted DC power to non-hazardous levels. The pair of copper wires is a twisted copper wire pair such as 22 or 24 gauge twisted copper pair, but may also be a single pair from a category 3 cable, or a single pair from a category 5 cable. The network element that is powered by the subscriber maybe an optical network unit (ONU) or an optical network terminal (ONT). The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device may further include one or more of the following features for remote user use: an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a WiFi network, a Voice over IP (VoIP) service, or an IPTV service. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device my also provide Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) and include a battery backup incase of subscriber mains power loss to provide lifeline support. The battery may be user, customer or subscriber replaceable. The battery may also be located at the network element. The DC power supply at the subscriber or customer premise may be a DC-to-DC power supply or an AC-to-DC power supply. 
   In general, in another aspect, the invention includes a system for powering a network element of a fiber optic network, such as a fiber to the premise (FTTP) network, which enables broadband communications between a CO and a subscriber or customer. The network element, such as an ONU or ONT, serves to convert signals from the optical domain of optical fiber coming to the network element from a CO to electrical signals on copper twisted pairs or that run between the network element and a subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment. The ONU or ONT is located at the subscriber or customer premise, specifically at the point of demarcation or network interface device (NID). Alternatively, the ONT can be located within the subscriber or customer premise (i.e. on the subscriber&#39;s side of the NID) when allowed by local regulation. While not shown in the following embodiments of the present invention, alternative embodiments with the ONT inside the subscriber&#39;s premise are possible and implied. The subscriber gateway or a remote user device further includes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) and an Ethernet Phy device. The PSE is coupled to two or four pairs of copper wires, such as in a category 5 cable, to the ONU or ONT at the NID. The ONU or ONT further includes a PoE Powered Device (PD) that accepts power from the PSE and powers the ONU or ONT. Additionally the ONU or ONT includes a second Ethernet Phy device enabling Ethernet communication between the subscriber gateway or remote user device and the ONU or ONT at the NID. In this way, the network element is powered by Power over Ethernet from a subscriber or customer premise. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device may further include one or more of the following features for remote user use: an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a WiFi network, a Voice over IP (VoiP) service, or an IPTV service. 
   In general, in one aspect, the invention includes a system for powering a first network element of a fiber optic communication network, such as a hybrid fiber coax network, which transmits communication data between a head-end and a subscriber gateway or customer premise equipment. The first network element, such as a drop site, serves to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the head-end and coax cable to the subscriber gateway. The subscriber gateway or a remote user device further includes a DC power source, a high-speed client modem or client network device, and a first coupler that includes means for coupling the communications of the client modem or client network device to the DC power output of the DC power source. The network element further includes, a high-speed head-end modem or access network controller device, an DC-to-DC power converter, and a second coupler that includes means for coupling communications of the head-end modem or network access controller device and delivers DC power to the DC-to-DC power converter. A coax cable that is in electrical communication between the subscriber gateway and the network element serves as medium for DC power transfer to the network element and for network communications. In this way, the first network element is powered by the subscriber gateway over the coax cable and the modems or network devices are in communication over the same coax cable. 
   Aspects of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The modems, according to the invention, may be Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) modems. The modems may be Power Line, also called Power Line Communication or Power Line Carrier (PLC), modems. The network devices may also be HomePNA, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) or ITU G.hn capable devices. The first and second couplers may comprise coupling capacitors, coupling transformers, blocking inductors, or perform inductive coupling. Furthermore, the first and second couplers may include elements for low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, and/or high pass filtering. The first coupler will limit the current of the DC power to non-hazardous levels. The first network element that is powered by the subscriber maybe an optical node or simply node. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device may further include one or more of the following features for remote user use: an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a WiFi network, a Voice over IP (VoiP) service, or an IPTV service. The subscriber gateway, customer premise equipment or remote user device my also provide Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) and include a battery backup incase of subscriber main power loss to provide lifeline support. The battery may be user, customer or subscriber replaceable. The battery may also be located at the network element. The DC power supply at the subscriber or customer premise may be a DC-to-DC power supply or an AC-to-DC power supply. A second network element, such as a tap, may further contain a device that combines the power and communication from one or more coax cables from other subscribers or customer premises to the first network element or node. The first network element may be capable of being powered from the power received from a single subscriber or customer premise. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1   a  is a block diagram illustration of a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) or Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN) point-to-multipoint passive optical network (PON) with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s customer premise equipment (CPE) or subscriber&#39;s gateway (SG) using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1   b  is a block diagram illustration of a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) or Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN) point-to-multipoint passive optical network (PON) with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s power-coupler device using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustration of a method of the present invention for powering a network element with twisted copper pair wires. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-point (PtP) optical network with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair while CO provides Lifeline powering across same twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustration of a Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a single twisted copper pair with the CO providing Lifeline powering for Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) using a second twisted copper pair, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7   a  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7   b  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element and a CPE/SG powered by a Powered Ethernet-Hub using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7   c  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered a Powered Ethernet-Hub using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustration of a method of the present invention for powering a network element utilizing Power over Ethernet (PoE). 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-point optical network with an ONT network element powered by subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using Power over Ethernet (PoE) over a single Ethernet cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustration of a method of the present invention for powering a network element utilizing power over coax cable. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTP point-to-point optical network with an ONT network element powered by subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using power over coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13   a  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13   b  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONT network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14   a  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14   b  is a block diagram illustration of a FTTC or FTTN point-to-multipoint PON with an ONU network element powered by a subscriber&#39;s CPE or SG using a coax cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1   a , wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views and embodiments and wherein cascading boxes below a part designates a plurality of such parts, an exemplary embodiments of an electrical power architecture for a fiber optic communication network is shown incorporating a subscriber-powered network element, according to the present invention. A FTTC or FTTN network using a PON connects a central office (CO)  100  at the head end of a passive optical distribution fabric (ODF)  102  to a subscriber premise  104 . The subscriber premise  104  can be residential homes and/or commercial buildings. The passive ODF  102  is comprised of a plurality of passive optical splitters  106  and connectors (not shown). An Optical Line Terminal (OLT)  108 , which is located at the CO  100 , acts as a central transmission point and an overall controlling device for the network. The OLT  108  is in communication through the ODF  102  with a plurality of Optical Network Units (ONUs)  110  located in neighbor hood terminals (also called pedestals) in FTTC networks  112  or in cabinets in FTTN networks  114 . 
   The OLT  108  transmits and receives data to and from the ONUs  110  in the form of modulated optical light signals of known wavelength through the ODF  102 . The transmission mode of the data sent over the ODF  102  may be continuous, burst or both burst and continuous modes. The transmissions are be made in accordance with a time-division multiplexing scheme or similar protocol. Frequently bi-directional wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is used and although the FTTC/FTTN network illustrated in  FIG. 1   a  includes an OLT  108  in communication with a plurality of ONUs using a plurality of fibers, other implementations of such networks may only use ONTs or some combination of ONUs  110  and ONTs  110 . In some implementations, the ONUs and ONTs are generally similar. In other implementations, the ONUs and ONTs may differ in one or more aspects. As previously mentioned, the ONUs and ONTs are drop site network elements that generally serve to convert signals between the optical domain of a fiber and electrical domain of a twisted copper wire or possibly coax cable. Although in the hybrid fiber coax network case, ONUs/ONTs are called nodes or even taps depending on where the fiber network ends and the coax cable network begins. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1   a , an exemplary embodiment of an ONU  110  is comprised of the following functional blocks: a PON transceiver  116 , a PON client Transconvergence Layer (TC-Layer) device  118 ; a CO modem aggregation and adaptation layer device  120 ; a plurality of Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL, i.e. ADSL VDSL or VDSL2) modems  122 ; a plurality of Digital Access Arrangement (DAA) devices  124 ; a plurality of DC-to-DC power converters  126 , and a power supply  128 . 
   The client PON transceiver  116  comprises the necessary components to convert optical to electrical communications from the OLT  108  as well as convert electrical to optical signals and communicate them to the OLT  108 . The PON transceiver  116  communicates electrically with the TC-Layer  118 . The TC-Layer  118  comprises of the functionality of: bundling and sending data into packets or frames; un-bundling and receiving data into packets or frames; managing the transmission of packets or frames on the network via medium access and bandwidth allocation protocols; providing necessary messaging and end point behavior, and checks and corrects for errors. The TC-Layer  118  communicates with both the PON transceiver  116  and a 1:N aggregation and CO modem adaptation layer  120 . 
   The 1:N aggregation and CO modem adaptation layer  120  has several functions. Modem communications over copper have lower bandwidth rates than communications over fiber thus to efficiently use the higher bandwidth rates of the fiber, the communications from multiple modems are pooled together. Thus modem communications from as many as one to some N number, for the purposes of this disclosure, are aggregated together. In an exemplary implementation, some 96 modems can be aggregated together. The 1:N aggregation and CO modem adaptation layer  120  communications electrically to an N number of modems. Each modem serving to enable communications to a unique subscriber premise  104  over a unique twisted copper pair  130 . 
   xDSL capable modems  122  are chosen as the preferred modem types however it is envisioned that many types of modems can be used for communications over copper wire or even coax cable to a subscriber premise  104 . The xDSL capable modems of  122  are central office (CO) or head-end type modems. Each modem is in electrical communication with a DAA  124  and the DAA  124  is coupled to a twisted copper wire pair  130 . 
   A DAA  124  is a mandatory interface that protects electronics connected to a telecommunication network from local-loop disturbances and vice versa. A DAA in general can mean many things because a DAA must perform varied and complex functions, including line termination, isolation, hybrid functions, and ring detection. A DAA must also provide a loop switch so that the DAA looks on-or off-hook to the loop; detect the state of the line and the incoming ringing signal, as well as include support of full-duplex operation. The International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) series G specification for transmission systems and media, digital systems and networks contains many documents, recommendations and specifications regarding DAA, as well as subscriber line interface circuits (SLIC)  132 , specifically ITU-T G.100-109 specifications that are hereby included by reference. 
   For the purpose and needs of the present invention, the DAA  124  is a device that: meets local regulatory requirements which differ by country; provides a measure of protection for both a network element, such as ONU  110 , and the local-loop; passes AC and/or DC based signal information to and from a modem, such as xDSL CO modem  122 , as well as passes DC power (DC current and DC voltage) to a DC-to-DC power converter  126  from a twisted copper wire pair  130 . Additionally, the DAA  124  provides isolation protection to the modem from the higher voltage on the twist copper wire pair  130 . The DAA  124  device may be of a design that is transformer-based, optically-based, capacitively coupled-based, silicon/integrated circuit-based, or some combination thereof which offer virtues in size, cost, and performance. 
   As previously mentioned or indicated, the ONU  110  can provide broadband services to a plurality of subscriber premises  104  over twisted copper wire pairs. Located in each subscribe premise  104  is a customer premise equipment (CPE) or subscriber gateway (SG) device  134  which is connected to the twisted copper wire pair  130 . The twisted copper wire pair  130  passes through the demarcation point or network interface device (NID)  136  to the CPE or SG  134 . 
   The CPE/SG  134  device is powered by a subscriber&#39;s residential or commercial power outlet (not shown). The CPE/SG  134  is comprised of the functional blocks: a DC power source  138 ; an xDSL client modem  140 ; a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC)  132 ; one or more Ethernet ports  142  with appropriate media access (MAC) and PHYs for operation with a subscriber&#39;s local area network (LAN); optionally an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) codec and driver  144 ; optionally a Voice Over IP (VoIP) codec and driver  146 , and optionally an IEEE 802.11x (WiFi) transceiver  148 . 
   The DC Power source  138  may be from or be part of a DC-to-DC power supply or an AC-to-DC power supply. The DC Power source  138  provides DC power (DC current and DC voltage) to the SLIC  132 . 
   Generally, SLICs provide the necessary signals, timing, and control functions for the plain old telephone system (POTS) line. SLICs and DAAs perform complementary functions with some overlap. The requisite functions of these devices, although similar at first look, differ enough that implementing the technologies requires different techniques. For example, SLICs act as power drivers as they send ringing signals down the line and supply loop power, generally from batteries, to the far end of the line. DAAs, on the other hand, act more like receivers and use the supplied loop power. 
   For the purpose and needs of the present invention, the SLIC  132  is a device that: meets local regulatory requirements which differ by country; provides a measure of protection for both a network element, such as ONU  110 , and the CPE/SG  104 ; passes AC and/or DC based signal information to and from a modem, such as xDSL client modem  140 ; accepts DC power (DC current and DC voltage) from a DC power source, such as  138 , and acts as a power driver driving the accepted DC power down a twisted copper wire pair, such as  130 . The SLIC  132  device may be of a design that is transformer-based, optically-based, capacitively coupled-based, silicon/integrated circuit-based, or some combination thereof which offer virtues in size, cost, and performance. 
   The xDSL client modem  140  is a complementary modem to the xDSL CO modem  122  and as previously indicated is in electrical signal communication with the SLIC  132 . With broadband communications established with the CO  100  and with the optional IPTV  144 , VoIP  146 , and WiFi  148  components the CPE/SG  134  is enabled to provide television subscription or pay-per-view services, VoIP services and wireless LAN capabilities, respectively. 
   VoIP service can be used as the primary telephony line service to a subscriber. Primary line means the telephone service will be available all the time, even during a significant power event. In the case where a subscriber suffers a power outage, then the CPE/SG  134  will require a battery or uninterruptible power source  150  to meet lifeline service requirements, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1   b , an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 1   a  is shown with an external power-coupler  135  comprising SLIC  133  and DC Power source  138 . SLIC  133  operates similar to SLIC  132 , coupling DC power from DC power source  138  onto twisted cooper pair wires  130  with electrical signal communications from xDSL client modem  140  via twisted copper wire pair  131 . SLIC  133  also decouples electrical signal communications from xDSL CO modem  122  on twisted copper wire pair  130  onto twisted wire pair  131 . In the case where a subscriber suffers a power outage, then the CPE/SG  134  and power-coupler  135  will require a battery or uninterruptible power source  150  to meet lifeline service requirements, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  in view of  FIG. 1   a , a flow chart of a method of the present invention illustrated. Powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network, such as on ONU  110  in  FIG. 1   a , from a subscriber&#39;s premise  104  entails providing or supplying a DC power  138  to a twisted copper wire pair  130  as described at block  200 . At block  202 , electrical communications from a modem, as in a client modem  140 , are coupled to same twisted copper wire pair  130  with the DC power. At block  204 , the DC power and modem electrical communications are transmitted, driven or sent across the twisted copper wire pair  130  from the subscriber premise  104  to the network element, such as ONU  110 . At block  206 , the driven DC power and modem electrical communications are received at the network element over the same twisted copper wire pair  130 . At block  208 , the network element decouples the modem electrical communications from the DC power, or vice versa, with a DAA device  124 . At block  210 , the network element provides the DC power to a DC-to-DC power converter  126  for conversion for use by the network element in the network element&#39;s power supply  128 . In the method described above, the power network and the information network become, and are, the same network. The DC power that is provided or supplied at the subscriber premise  104  for feeding the power need of the network element is assumed to be of sufficient DC current and DC voltage required for delivery to the network element. In many embodiments of the invention, this required DC current and DC voltage will be of a high level that necessitates the use of a DC converter by the network element to convert the delivered DC power to a usable level for use by the network element. 
   In alternate embodiments of the invention, such as those providing primary telephony line service without the use of a traditional POTS line, an uninterruptible power source or battery backup  150  device is required to continue to meet lifeline telephony regulatory obligations. 
   It will be appreciated that according to the method of the invention as described above, that with an increasing number of active subscribers the power needs of the network element, such as ONU  110 , increases and so does the amount of supplied DC power with each active subscriber. The method provides a solution to match increasing power demands with increasing power supply in a progressive manner. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a point-to-point (PtP) fiber optic network. The ODF  300  lacks passive splitters and illustrates the one-to-one direct connection between terminals  112  and cabinets  114  and the CO  100 . Such PtP networks may be implemented by a point-to-point gigabit Ethernet network with complementary components such as optical transceiver  302  and data link layer  304  in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation.  FIG. 3  serves to show that the method of the invention as previously described, as in  FIG. 2 , is a method apathetic and even naive of the design choice or implementation of the fiber in the loop network. The method works equally well for both PtP and PON networks. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein the primary telephony line service  400  is served by legacy POTS from a CO or remote Digital Loop Carrier (DLC) network  402 . Traditionally, a CO or DLC  402  powers legacy POTS lines, however in this embodiment the SLIC  132  provides the DC power to twisted copper wire pair  130 . Twisted copper wire pair line  130  is connected to the CO or DLC  402  to a network element, such as ONU  404 . ONU  404  additionally comprises a splitter  406  that combines the POTS service with the electrical CO modem  122  communications together on the same twisted copper wire pair  130 . The splitter  406  places the POTS service at a lower and more narrow frequency (termed narrowband NB) than the xDSL modem communications which utilize higher frequencies to achieve greater bandwidth for data communications (termed broadband BB). In this embodiment a section of the twisted copper wire pair  130   b  contains both POTS (NB), xDSL modem electrical communications (BB) and the DC power (both a DC current and a DC power). This section of twisted copper wire pair  130   b  lies between and connects the ONU  404  to the NID  136  of a subscriber premise  104 . At the NID  136 , another splitter  408  filters or separates the POTS NB signal and the xDSL modem electrical communications BB providing the NB signal to connect the subscriber&#39;s primary telephone line service  400  and providing the BB signal to the SLIC  132 . 
   It will be appreciated that in this embodiment of the invention a UPS or battery backup source is not required. If a subscriber suffers a power outage, the CPE/SG  134  will be without power and thus broadband communications will be down as well. This is tolerable since the outage will cause powered equipment such as TVs and the subscriber&#39;s LAN to be down as well. The CPE/SG  134  will not be able to provide DC power to the twisted copper wire pair. The CO or DLC  402  routinely monitors conditions on the twisted copper wire pair line and sensing a loss of power on the line can provide the necessary DC power to continue providing POTS services such as primary telephony line service  400 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , in which another alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein the fiber in the loop network is a FTTP or Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network and the subscriber-powered network element is an ONT  500  in or near the NID  136 . The ONT  500  does not support multiple premises thus aggregation methods are not necessary in the TC-Layer and CO modem adaptation device  502  and only a single DAA  124 , xDSL CO modem  122  and DC-to-DC converter  126  are required to perform a method of the invention. The FTTP or FTTH network illustrated in  FIG. 5  is a passive optical network (PON). If primary telephone service line is to be provided by the FTTP or FTTH network then a UPS/battery backup source  150  for the CPE/SG  134  may be required for regulatory obligations. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , in which yet another alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein the FTTP or FTTH does not provide a primary telephone service line. In this embodiment the POTS services provided by a CO or DLC  402  pass through the NID  136  with no splitting and on a separate twisted copper wire pair  600  from the twisted copper wire pair  130  which provides broadband services to the subscriber premise  104  and provides subscriber power to the ONT  500  as previously described and indicated. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7   a , an alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein a FTTP or FTTH network is shown with a subscriber-powered ONT  700 , which is powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE). The FTTP or FTTH network shown being a passive optical network (PON) implementation. PoE is defined by the IEEE 802.af specification (hereby included by reference) and defines a way to build Ethernet power-sourcing equipment and powered terminals. The specification involves delivering 48 volts of DC power over unshielded twisted-pair wiring. It works with existing cable plant, including Category 3, 5, 5e or 6; horizontal and patch cables; patch-panels; outlets; and connecting hardware, without requiring modification. 
   A CPE/SG  702  comprising an Ethernet MAC and PHY  704  device is in electrical communication with a first Power over Ethernet (PoE) capable device  706 . The PoE capable device  706  may internally comprise a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) device. The first PoE capable device  706  passes Ethernet electrical signals as well as DC power over Ethernet cable  708  to a second PoE capable device  710  in the ONT  700 . The ONT  700  being in or near the NID  136 . The second PoE capable device  710  may comprise a Powered Device (PD) in accordance with the 802.3af standard. The second PoE capable device  710  is capable of decoupling the Ethernet electrical signals, which are then provided to the Ethernet PHY  712  and provide the driven DC power to the ONT  700  power supply  128 . The second PoE capable device  710  may contain a DC-to-DC converter to supply (not shown) the appropriate DC current and DC voltage needs of the ONT  700 . The Ethernet PHY  712  is in electrical communication with a TC-Layer and Ethernet MAC adaptation device  714  to complete the broadband communication flow and to indicate the differences in ONT  700  over previous ONT  500 . The CPE/SG  702  is provided power during subscriber power outages by a UPS/battery backup  150  for lifeline powering requirements. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7   b , an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7   a  is shown with a Powered Ethernet-Hub  705  comprising PoE capable device(s)  711 . The Powered Ethernet-Hub  705  passes Ethernet electrical signals between CPE/SG  702  and ONT  700  via Ethernet cables  707  and  708  respectively as well as providing DC power. Powered Ethernet-Hub  705  is provided power during subscriber power outages by the UPS/battery backup  150  for lifeline powering requirements. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7   c , an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7   b  is shown with a legacy CPE/SG  703  that is not PoE capable. PoE capable device  711  passes Ethernet electrical signals from Ethernet MAC and PHY  704  via Ethernet cable  709  as well as DC power over Ethernet cable  708  to the second PoE capable device  710  in ONT  700 . The CPE/SG  703  and Powered Ethernet-Hub  705  are provided power during subscriber power outages by the UPS/battery backup  150  for lifeline powering requirements. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8  in view of  FIG. 7   a , a flow chart of a method of the present invention utilizing PoE is illustrated. Powering a network element of a FTTP or FTTH network, such as ONT  700  in  FIG. 7   a , from a subscriber&#39;s premise  104  entails providing or supplying a DC power  706  to a twisted copper wire pairs or Ethernet cable  708  from a subscriber premise as indicated by block  800 . At block  802 , electrical Ethernet communications or signals from the Ethernet MAC and PHY device  704  are coupled to the same Ethernet cable  708  with the DC power. At block  804 , the DC power and electrical Ethernet signals are transmitted, driven or sent across the Ethernet cable  708  from the subscriber premise  104  to the network element, such as ONT  700 . At block  806 , the driven DC power and electrical Ethernet signals are accepted or received at the network element over the same Ethernet cable  708 . At block  808 , the network element decouples the electrical Ethernet signals from the DC power, or vice versa with the second PoE capable device  710 . At block  810 , the network element performs DC-to-DC power conversion for use by the network element. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a FTTP or FTTH network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a point-to-point (PtP) fiber optic network. The ODF  300  lacks passive splitters and illustrates the one-to-one direct connection between terminals  112 , cabinets  114 , NIDs  136  and the CO  100 . Such PtP networks may be implemented by a point-to-point gigabit Ethernet network with complementary components such as optical transceiver  302  and data link layer  304  in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation.  FIG. 9  serves to show that the PoE method of the invention as previously described, as in  FIG. 8 , is a method apathetic and even naive of the design choice or implementation of the fiber in the loop network. The method works equally well for both PtP and PON networks. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein a FTTP or FTTH network is shown with a subscriber-powered ONU  1000 , which is in communication with a subscriber&#39;s gateway or CPE  1010  over a coaxial cable  1008  using Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) devices  1004 / 1012 . The FTTP or FTTH network shown being a passive optical network (PON) implementation. MoCA is an industry driven specification for delivering networking, high-speed data, digital video, and entertainment services through existing coaxial cables in homes. 
   A CPE/SG  1010  comprising a MoCA network client  1012  device is in electrical communication with a first bias tee device  1005 . Bias tees are coaxial components that are used whenever a source of DC power is connected to a coaxial cable. The bias tee does not affect the AC or RF transmission through the cable. The first bias tee device  1005  passes MoCA electrical signals as well as DC power from a DC power source  138  over coax cable  1008  to a second bias tee device  1006  in the ONU  1000 , the ONU  1000  being located away from the NID  136  and serves a plurality of subscribers. The second bias tee device  1006  is capable of decoupling the MoCA electrical signals, which are then provided to the MoCA access network controller device  1004  and provide the driven DC power to the ONU  1000  DC-to-DC converter  126 . The DC-to-DC converter  126  supplying the appropriate DC current and DC voltage needs of the ONT  1000  to the power supply  128 . The MoCA access network controller device  1004  is in electrical communication with a 1:N Aggregation with MoCA adaptation layer device  1002  that aggregates or multiplexes the broadband communication flow between the CO and subscribers. The CPE/SG  1010  is provided power during subscriber power outages by a UPS/battery backup  150  for lifeline powering requirements. In this way, a bias tee device serves to inject DC power to supply the needs of the ONU  1000  while combining MoCA signals on a same coax cable. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11  in view of  FIG. 10 , a flow chart of a method of the present invention utilizing power over coax is illustrated. Powering a network element of a FTTP or FTTH network, such as ONU  1000  in  FIG. 10 , from a subscriber&#39;s premise  104  entails providing or supplying a DC power  138  to a coaxial cable  1008  from a subscriber premise as indicated by block  1100 . At block  1102 , electrical MoCA communications or signals from the MoCA network client device  1012  are coupled to the same coax cable  1008  with the DC power. At block  1104 , the DC power and electrical MoCA signals are transmitted, driven or sent across the coax cable  1108  from the subscriber premise  104  to the network element, such as ONU  1000 . At block  1106 , the driven DC power and electrical MoCA signals are accepted or received at the network element over the same coax cable  1008 . At block  1108 , the network element decouples the electrical MoCA signals from the DC power, or vice versa with the second bias tee device  1006 . At block  1110 , the network element performs DC-to-DC power conversion on the supplied and decoupled DC power for use by the network element. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , an alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention is illustrated wherein a FTTP or FTTH network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a point-to-point (PtP) fiber optic network. The ODF  300  lacks passive splitters and illustrates the one-to-one direct connection between terminals  112 , cabinets  114 , NIDs  136  and the CO  100 . Such PtP networks may be implemented by a point-to-point gigabit Ethernet network with complementary components such as optical transceiver  302  and data link layer  304  in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation.  FIG. 12  serves to show that the power over coax method of the invention as previously described, as in  FIG. 10 , is a method apathetic and even naïve of the design choice or implementation of the fiber in the loop network. The method works equally well for both PtP and PON networks.  FIG. 12  also serves to illustrate the power over coax method with an ONT  1200  as well as to show compatibility with other MoCA capable CPE devices  1210  that share network communications with the MoCA access network controller  1004  on the same coax cable  1008 , though such compatibility can be used with ONUs as well.  FIG. 12  also serves to illustrate the use of a an optical transceiver  302  and data link layer  304 , in accordance with whatever specific protocol is chosen for the network implementation, that does not need to do 1:N aggregation or multiplexing of multiple MoCA connections. A DC block  1207  is used to isolate DC power while allowing data signals to pass through unaffected to allow use of other CPEs  1210  that do not provide DC power to the coax cable  1008 . The DC block  1207  may be internal to the CPE  1210  or external (not shown). The CPE/SG  1010  is provided power during subscriber power outages by a UPS/battery backup  150  for lifeline powering requirements. 
   Referring to  FIG. 13   a , an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON  102 . In this embodiment the bias tee  1005  and DC power source  138  are external to the CPE/SG  1300 . The bias tee  1005  combining the MoCA or RF communications from coax cable  1308  onto coax cable  1008  with DC power from the DC power source  138 . This allows simplification of CPE/SG devices  1300 / 1310 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 13   b , an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON  102 . In this embodiment the bias tee  1305  and DC power source  138  are external to the CPE/SG  1301  and a UPS/battery backup source  150  for DC power source  138  is provided which may be required for regulatory obligations. The bias tee  1305  combining the MoCA or RF communications from coax cables  1308  and  1008  with DC power from the DC power source  138 . CPE/SG  1301  has a bias tee  1306  that decouples MoCA or RF communications and DC power from coax cable  1308 . Bias tee  1306  providing DC power to the CPE/SG  1301 &#39;s power supply  1307 . The embodiment enables CPE/SG  1301  to be powered by an external power supply via the same coax cable used for network communications. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14   a , an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON. In this embodiment the bias tee  1005  and DC power source  138  are external to the CPE/SG  1300  and are located in or near the NID  136 . The bias tee  1005  combining MoCA or RF communications from coax cable  1308  onto coax cable  1008  with the DC power from the DC power source  138 . This allows simplification of CPE/SG devices  1300 / 1310  and simplification of subscriber installation. Generally, power is not available at the NID  136 , however power at the NID may be available in future Greenfield installations. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14   b , an alternative embodiment of the invention using a FTTC or FTTN network is shown wherein the implementation of the network is a PON. In this embodiment the bias tee  1005 , DC power source  138  and a UPS/battery backup source  150  are external to the CPE/SG  1301  and are located in or near the NID  136 . The bias tee  1005  combining MoCA or R° F. communications from coax cables  1308  and  1008  with the DC power from the DC power source  138 . This allows simplification of subscriber installation as well as enabling lifeline services with UPS/battery backup source  150  providing power during electrical blackout. 
   In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention, HomePNA is used as the communication method between an ONU/ONT and a subscriber&#39;s gateway/CPE. HomePNA is an industry standard for home networking solutions based on internationally recognized, open and interoperable standards that allow worldwide distribution of triple-play services, such as IPTV, voice and Internet data by leverage existing telephone wires (twisted copper pair) or coax cable. Thus, alternative embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6  are possible substituting xDSL devices with HomePNA capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over twisted copper pairs as well as  FIGS. 10-14   b  with substitution of MoCA devices with HomePNA capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over coax cable. 
   In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in accordance with the present invention, ITU&#39;s G.hn is used as the communication method between an ONU/ONT and a subscriber&#39;s gateway/CPE. G.hn is yet another industry standard for home networking solutions based on internationally recognized, open and interoperable standards that allow worldwide distribution of triple-play services, such as IPTV, voice and Internet data by leverage existing telephone wires (twisted copper pair) or coax cable. Thus, alternative embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6  are possible substituting xDSL devices with G.hn capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over twisted copper pairs as well as  FIGS. 10-14   b  with substitution of MoCA devices with G.hn capable devices for subscriber powering network elements over coax cable. 
   While DC power is the preferred method of delivering power from a subscriber&#39;s premise to a network element, AC power is also possible. Alternate embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6  and  FIGS. 10-14   b  are possible with substitution of DC power with AC power. Alternate embodiments wherein elements such as: DC power source  138 ,  1307 ; DC-DC converter  126 ; SLIC  132 ; DAA  124 ,  125 ; bias tee  1005 ,  1006 ,  1305 ,  1306 ; DC block  1207  or UPS backup  150  are appropriately substituted or designed with AC power in mind are also possible. 
   While UPS/battery backup  150  in various embodiments of the present invention has been shown to be an external device. Alternate embodiments with the UPS/battery backup  150  internal to the CPE, communication and/or power-coupling device are possible (not shown). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the arts, that during lifeline powering events that network elements such as ONUs and ONTs and CPE/SG equipment may power down non-essential devices to extend the time that lifeline services can be provided. Such powering down may also include reducing the line rates of communications. 
   Future regulations may require carriers to reimburse subscribers for the power used by network elements that are power from a subscriber premises&#39;. In which case, in the various embodiments of the present invention the network elements such as ONU or ONT have power meters to measure their power usage (not shown). Additionally, alternative embodiments of the ONUs and ONTs with power meters may report their power usage back to the OLT or have their meters reset, via their management or control channel with the OLT. 
   Although the invention has been described in terms of particular implementations, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional implementations and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.