Patent ID: 8180225

Claim:
A device interface module for operating an external device, comprising: an optical interface for receiving an upstream optical signal from an optical fiber line and for transmitting a downstream optical signal through the optical fiber line; an electrical interface for connecting to the external device, comprising a data port for receiving an input electrical data signal from the external device according to a pre-determined data communications protocol and for providing an output electrical data signal to the device, and an output power port for providing electrical power to the remote device; a transducer optically coupled to the optical interface for converting the upstream optical signal into a received electrical data signal and electrical power, and for generating the downstream optical data signal; a signal processor comprising: a receiver circuit operatively connected between the transducer and the electrical data port for producing the output electrical data signal from the received electrical data signal according to the pre-determined data communications protocol, and a transmitter circuit operatively connected between the electrical data port and the transducer, for producing an electrical drive signal from the input electrical data signal for driving the transducer therewith to generate the downstream optical data signal; and, a power distribution circuit for distributing the electrical power obtained from the upstream optical signal for powering the external device, the signal processor and the transducer, wherein the transducer comprises a multi-segment photovoltaic power converter (MSPPC), and a bias circuit for forward biasing at least a segment of the MSPPC for generating the downstream optical signal.