Patent ID: 7917035

Claim:
A transceiver unit for use at an end-location of a communications network, comprising: a downstream monitor configured to monitor downstream optical signals that travel from a service provider to the end-location, the downstream optical signals carrying downstream data for use by a device in communication with the transceiver unit, at least a portion of an optical path traveled by the downstream optical signals being on a common optical fiber along with downstream optical signals for other end locations; an upstream attenuator configured to attenuate upstream optical signals traveling from the end-location to the service provider, the upstream optical signals carrying upstream data for use by the communications network or the provider, at least a portion of an optical path traveled by the upstream optical signals being on the common optical fiber; electronics configured to operate the upstream optical attenuator in response to output from the downstream monitor, wherein the electronics are configured to increase a degree of attenuation provided by the upstream attenuator in response to the output from the downstream monitor indicating an increase in an intensity of the downstream optical signals.