Patent ID: 8428460

Claim:
A wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) for performing bi-directional communication, the WDM-PON comprising: at least three remote distribution nodes between a central office and a first optical network unit, including a first remote distribution node, a second remote distribution node, and a third remote distribution node, each of the first remote distribution node and the second remote distribution node is located in a physically separate location, wherein the first remote distribution node, the second remote distribution node, and the third remote distribution node are connected to each other sequentially, wherein the first remote distribution node includes at least one filter configured to couple a first composite optical signal and a second composite optical signal to a first optical cable connected to the central office, wherein the first composite signal travels on the first optical cable in a first direction, and the second composite optical signal travels on the first optical cable in a second direction opposite the first direction, and configured to connect to the second remote distribution node comprising at least two filters coupled to at least two optical network units, wherein each of the first remote distribution node and the second remote distribution node are configured to separate at least one wavelength channel from the first composite optical signal distributed through that remote distribution node, wherein the third remote distribution node comprises a multiplexer/demultiplexer.