Patent ID: 6845189

Claim:
A terminal ( 104 ) for being connected to a communication link ( 102 ) comprising a plurality (N) of individual optical fibers comprising incoming fibers ( 106 ) and at least two outgoing fibers ( 108 ), with the incoming fibers being intended for transmitting light, which carries optical signals, to the terminal and the outgoing fibers being intended for transmission of light, which carries optical signals, from the terminal, characterized by detecting devices ( 114 ) connected to the incoming fibers for detecting whether light with an intensity or a power greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold level is transferred on the incoming fibers, and a control device ( 122 , 124 , 126 ) connected to the detecting devices for receiving detection signals and being connected to the outgoing fibers for permitting solely periodic transmission of light on each one of at least two of the outgoing fibers when at least one of the detection signals indicates that light with an intensity or power lower than the threshold level is being transferred on one of the incoming fibers, wherein, when the periodic transfer of light on said at least two of the outgoing fibers occurs, said light is transferred on solely one of these at each time.