Patent ID: 8526431

Claim:
A method for packet data flow optimization in a passive optical network (PON) that includes an optical line terminal (OLT) and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) of which at least one is a multiple entity ONU having a bridge, the method comprising the steps of: a. determining, by the multiple entity ONU, if a packet received by the multiple entity ONU: i. originates from the OLT or from an originating user port; and ii. is a broadcast packet or has a destination user port, b. if said packet originates from the OLT, i. if said destination user port of said packet is according to the multiple entity ONU, transmitting said packet to said destination user port; and ii. if said packet is a broadcast packet, transmitting said packet to all user ports of the multiple entity ONU, c. if said packet originates from said originating user port, the multiple entity ONU: i. learns said source address (SA) of said packet; ii. searches for a destination address of said packet on said multiple entity ONU; iii. if said destination address is not found, transmitting said packet solely to the OLT; iv. else A. if said packet has a destination user port, transmitting said packet to a user port; and B. if said packet is a broadcast packet, transmitting said packet to the OLT and all user ports except said originating user port, d. wherein the OLT i. upon receiving said packet, learns the SA of said packet; and ii. performs a search for said destination user port of said packet and subsequently: A. if said search results in the OLT knowing said destination user port, transmitting said packet to the multiple entity ONU having said destination user port; and B. else transmitting said packet to all user ports of the PON, except said originating user port.