Patent ID: 7653309

Claim:
A distribution node in an optical network, the optical network comprising an upstream terminal, the distribution node, and a plurality of downstream terminals, the distribution node comprising: a wavelength router configured to receive wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) traffic in a plurality of wavelengths from the upstream terminal, route the traffic in at least one wavelength to a primary power splitter, and route the traffic in a plurality of other wavelengths for distribution to particular downstream terminals; a primary power splitter configured to receive the traffic in the at least one wavelength from the wavelength router, split the received traffic in the at least one wavelength into a plurality of copies, and forward the copies for distribution to all of the downstream terminals; and a filter configured to receive the WDM traffic in the plurality of wavelengths and direct the WDM traffic in the plurality of wavelengths to the wavelength router and configured to receive upstream traffic in at least one wavelength from the plurality of downstream terminals without the upstream traffic passing through the wavelength router and direct the upstream traffic in the at least one wavelength to the upstream terminal.