Patent ID: 7424221

Claim:
An optical network terminal comprising: a media access controller (MAC) to generate an outgoing data packet and a transmit enable signal, the MAC asserting the transmit enable signal to enable transmission of the outgoing data packet; an optical transmitter connected to the MAC to receive the outgoing data packet and the transmit enable signal, and transmit the outgoing data packet to a network in response to an assertion of the transmit enable signal when power from a power source is input to the optical transmitter; a logic circuit connected to the MAC, the logic circuit being unconnected to the optical transmitter, the logic circuit to output a control signal with a first logic state that causes power from the power source to be input to the optical transmitter, and a second logic state that causes power from the power source to be removed from the optical transmitter; and a processor connected to the logic circuit, the processor to output a power off signal that causes the logic circuit to place the control signal in the second logic state when an improper transmission signal indicates that an improper transmission is occurring.