CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 63/338,572 filed May 5, 2022.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The subject matter of this application relates to passive optical network devices.

[0003] A passive optical network (PON) is often employed as an access network, or a portion of a larger communication network. The communication network typically has a high-capacity core portion where data or other information associated with telephone calls, digital television, and Internet communications is carried substantial distances. The core portion may have the capability to interact with other networks to complete the transmission of telephone calls, digital television, and Internet communications. In this manner, the core portion in combination with the passive optical network enables communications to and communications from subscribers (or otherwise devices associated with a subscriber, customer, business, or otherwise).

[0004] The access network of the communication network extends from the core portion of the network to individual subscribers, such as those associated with a particular residence location (e.g., business location). The access network may be wireless access, such as a cellular network, or a fixed access, such as a passive optical network or a cable network.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, in a PON 100, a set of optical fibres and passive interconnecting devices are used for most or all of the communications through the extent of the access network. A set of one or more optical network terminals (ONTs) 110 are devices that are typically positioned at a subscriber’s residence location (e.g., or business location). The term “ONT” includes what is also referred to as an optical network unit (ONU). There may be any number of ONTs associated with a single optical splitter 120. By way of example, 32 or 64 ONTs are often associated with the single network optical splitter 120. The optical splitter 120 is interconnected with the respective ONTs 110 by a respective optical fiber 130, or otherwise a respective fiber within an optical fiber cable. Selected ONTs may be removed and/or added to the access network associated with the optical splitter 120, as desired. There may be multiple optical splitters 120 that are arranged in a cascaded arrangement.

[0006] The optical fibers 130 interconnecting the optical splitter 120 and the ONTs 110 act as access (or “drop”) fibers. The optical splitter 120 is typically located in a street cabinet or other structure where one or more optical splitters 120 are located, each of which are serving their respective set of ONTs. In some cases, an ONT may service a plurality of subscribers, such as those within a multiple dwelling unit (e.g., apartment building). In this manner, the PON may be considered a point to multipoint topology in which a single optical fiber serves multiple endpoints by using passive fiber optic splitters to divide the fiber bandwidth among the endpoints.

[0007] An optical line terminal (OLT) 140 is located at the central office where it interfaces directly or indirectly with a core network 150. An interface 160 between the OLT 140 and the core network 150 may be one or more optical fibers, or any other type of communication medium. The OLT 140 forms optical signals for transmission downstream to the ONTs 110 through a feeder optical fiber 170, and receives optical signals from the ONTs 110 through the feeder optical fiber 170. The optical splitter 120 is typically a passive device that distributes the signal received from the OLT 140 to the ONTs 110. Similarly, the optical splitter 120 receives optical signals from the ONTs 110 and provides the optical signals though the feeder optical fiber 170 to the OLT 140. In this manner, the PON includes an OLT with a plurality of ONTs, which reduces the amount of fiber necessary as compared with a point-to-point architecture. [0008] As it may be observed, an optical signal is provided to the feeder fiber 170 that includes all of the data for the ONTs 110. Accordingly, all the data being provided to each of the ONTs is provided to all the ONTs through the optical splitter 120. Each of the ONTs selects the portions of the received optical signals that are intended for that particular ONT and passes the data along to the subscriber, while discarding the remaining data. Typically, the data to the ONTs are broadcast to the feeder fiber 170 and provided to each of the ONTs.

[0009] Upstream transmissions from the ONTs 110 through the respective optical fibers 130 are typically transmitted in bursts according to a schedule provided to each ONT by the OLT. In this way, each of the ONTs 110 will transmit upstream optical data at different times. In some embodiments, the upstream and downstream transmissions are transmitted using different wavelengths of light so that they do not interfere with one another. In this manner, the PON may take advantage of wavelength-division multiplexing, using one wavelength for downstream traffic and another wavelength for upstream traffic on a single mode fiber.

[0010] The schedule from the OLT allocates upstream bandwidth to the ONTs. Since the optical distribution network is shared, the ONT upstream transmission would likely collide if they were transmitted at random times. The ONTs typically lie at varying distances from the OLT and/or the optical splitter, resulting in a different transmission delay from each ONT. The OLT measures the delay and sets a register in each ONT to equalize its delay with respect to the other ONTs associated with the OLT. Once the delays have been accounted for, the OLT transmits so-called grants in the form of grant maps to the individual ONTs. A grant map is a permission to use a defined interval of time for upstream transmission. The grant map is periodically dynamically recalculated, such as for each upstream frame. The grant map allocates bandwidth to all the ONTs, such that each ONT receives timely bandwidth allocation for its service needs. Much of the data traffic, such as browsing websites, tends to have bursts and tends to be highly variable over time. By way of a dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) among the different ONTs, a PON can be oversubscribed for upstream traffic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a network that includes a passive optical network.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a residence with a network termination unit and an optical network terminal.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary network termination unit and optical network terminal pair of devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] As the service provider is building out the access network, the OLT, the ONTs, the fibers, the splitters, and other components of the access network are installed to provide services to particular residences. The fiber drop is typically installed, such as between a telephone pole and the residence. The ONT is typically installed within the residence, so the installation technician needs to schedule a mutually available time with the subscriber. Scheduling a mutually available time, typically during the 8AM to 5PM time period during Monday-Friday can be challenging. For example, the subscriber may have employment commitments resulting in scheduling difficulties. For example, the installation technician may likewise have scheduling difficulties to arrive in a timely manner to perform the installation. Also, the time necessary to complete the installation varies at different residences, and is difficult to estimate in advance. Also, installation difficulties likewise exist for repair, replacement, and upgrade of existing ONT installations. [0016] After further consideration, it was determined that a considerable amount of the difficulty in the installation of the ONT at a residence relates to properly interfacing and/or configuring the ONT to properly communicate with the access network. While providing a preconfigured ONT for the particular residence may reduce issues related to properly interfacing and/or configuring the ONT, the configuration may turn out to be incorrect for a particular residence or otherwise the interconnection is difficult to make. Accordingly, even with a preconfigured ONT for the particular residence, it remains problematic to ensure a trouble-free installation of the ONT.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, it is desirable for a subscriber to install their own ONT connection, at least in part, at their residence 200 without the installation technician being present. The service provider arranges shipping from the service provider to the subscriber, or otherwise, providing a network termination unit (NTU) to the subscriber. After the subscriber receives the NTU, the subscriber reviews a set of installation instructions that are provided, preferably on a paper instruction sheet, on the suitable installation of the NTU. The instructions may instruct the subscriber to position the NTU on the inside of an exterior wall or on the inside of an exterior window. The instructions may further instruct the subscriber to position the NTU within 8 feet (or otherwise) of the ground. The instructions may further instruct the subscriber not to position the NTU on or adjacent to a fireplace. The instructions may further instruct the subscriber to plug in the NTU to household power, such as 110 volt AC power using a power cord. By way of example, the subscriber may secure the NTU 210 to the interior surface of an exterior wall / window of the residence and provide power to the NTU from a power source.

[0018] Referring also to FIG. 3, the NTU 210 may include one or more ports 310, such as Ethernet ports, to provide data interconnectivity to and from other devices using, at least in part, a respective Ethernet cable 312 within the residence that are likewise interconnected to another Ethernet respective connection and respective device(s). The NTU 210 may also include a wireless transceiver 320 and antenna to provide data interconnectivity to and from other devices using a wireless signal, such as using 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands, such as those described in the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. The wireless transceiver 320 may be part of a mesh network, if desired. Other interconnections may likewise be included to the NTU 210, as desired.

[0019] After installing the NTU 210 as instructed, the subscriber provides a notification to the service provider that the installation is complete. This notification may be performed by telephone, through the Internet such as on a webpage, or otherwise through an application available on their mobile device (e.g., iPhone). The subscriber also preferably indicates where the NTU 210 is installed, such as west garage wall, east garage wall, above faucet on north wall, lower right-hand window, etc. In this manner, the service provider will have additional information indicating the likely location of the installation of the NTU 210 within the residence.

[0020] The NTU 210 upon being powered on preferably provides and receives a wireless signal at a wireless transceiver 330, such as a Bluetooth signal, a WiFi signal, a beacon, a pulse, a RFID based signal, or otherwise, that an installation technician may use to locate the approximate installed position of the NTU 210 from a location exterior to the residence. The installation technician may be further guided by comments, if any, provided by the subscriber indicating where the NTU 210 has been installed. In this manner, the installation technician may use a wireless receiving instrument in a manner to determine a position proximate the NTU 210, but on the exterior of the residence. In this manner, the installation technical may determine the position of the NTU 210 without the further assistance of the subscriber. After determining the position of the NTU 210, the installation technician installs an ONT 340 on the exterior of the residence proximate the location of the NTU 210. The ONT 340 is then interconnected to the fiber drop 350 to the residence so that the ONT 340 is ultimately interconnected to the access network and thus the core network for data transmission.

[0021] While the ONT 340 may be interconnected to an external power source, such as a coaxial cable, a power connection, or otherwise, this may be problematic in many environments. To further decrease issues related to the installation of the ONT 340, the NTU 210 preferably includes an electromagnetic power transfer to the ONT 340 without a physical wired link. The NTU 210 includes an electromagnetic field generating device that generates a time-varying electromagnetic field which transmits power through the exterior of the residence to the ONT 340 which includes an electromagnetic field receiving device, which extracts power from the electromagnetic field and supplies it to the remainder of the ONT 340, inclusive of a processor therein. Preferably, the ONT 340 and NTU 210 use a near field technique (non-radiative technique) for the power transfer based upon inductive coupling between coils of wire or by electric fields using capacitive coupling between metal electrodes. In this manner, power may be provided to the ONT 340 from the NTU 210 without the need to physically create an opening in the exterior of the residence for a conductor to pass between the ONT 340 and the NTU 210.

[0022] With power provided to both the ONT 340 and NTU 210, the ONT 340 and NTU 210 are wirelessly paired with one another so that they may transmit data wireless between them. The pairing may be based upon the ONT 340 preferably providing and receiving a wireless signal at a wireless transceiver 390 while the NTU providing and receiving a wireless signal at the wireless transceiver 330. Preferably, a high bandwidth point to point wireless link is used to provide the wireless interconnection for the transmission of data between the ONT 340 and the NTU 210. There are different characteristics of the exterior of the residence, each of which impedes the transmission of wireless signals therethrough to a different degree. Accordingly, the ONT 340 and NTU 210 may monitor the error rate of the wireless data transmission and adjust the power levels used for the wireless transmission. Further, the frequency used for the electromagnetic power transfer may be adjusted to provide improved transfer characteristics for the power based upon the characteristics of the exterior of the residence. For example, the preferred frequency used may be different for different exterior residence characteristics, such as for example, brick walls, aluminium siding, concrete, or glass. The power levels may be raised which typically lowers the error rate, while the power levels may be lowered which typically increases the error rate. In this manner, the transmission power levels and/or power transfer frequencies may be adjusted on both the ONT 340 and the NTU 210 to reach an acceptable error rate for the data transmission at a reduced power level. Once the transmission levels are determined, especially for the ONT 340 to transmit data to the NTU 210, together with knowing or otherwise determining other power requirements for the ONT 340, a total power budget for the ONT 340 may be determined. Based upon the total power budget of the ONT 340, or otherwise the transmission power requirements of the ONT 340, the power levels for the electromagnetic power (e.g., inductive power) may be adjusted so that excess power is not consumed, and also with lower electromagnetic power being used the safety of the device is increased.

[0023] Preferably, a publicly broadcast service set identifier (SSID) is not used for the wireless signal, so that third parties are less likely to be aware of the wireless communication. Further, the wireless transmission between the ONU 340 and the NTU 210 is preferably encrypted.

[0024] With the wireless communication between the ONT 340 and NTU 210 established together with sufficient power transfer, the installation technician or otherwise an operator of the access network may configure both the NTU 210 and the ONT 340 with data transmitted from the OLT or between the ONT 340 and the NTU 210. In this manner, a NTU 210 that is not specifically configured for the particular residence may be provided, and upon pairing with the ONT 340, may be configured in a suitable manner to provide communications with the access network. In this manner, an ONT 340 that is not specifically configured for the particular residence may be provided, and upon pairing with the OLT 140, may be configured in a suitable manner to provide communications with the access network.

[0025] In a further embodiment, there are substantial time periods where little data is transmitted between the ONT 340 and the NTU 210 because the subscribers are not transmitting or requesting a substantial amount of data. During these time periods, the power levels for the electromagnetic power transfer are lowered, based upon the data requirements. Also, there are other time periods where a substantial amount of data is transmitted between the ONT 340 and the NTU 210 because the subscribers are transmitting or requesting a substantial amount of data. During these time periods, the power levels for the electromagnetic power transfer are increased, based upon the data requirements.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the ONT 340 and NTU 210 may use a first frequency range, such as 2.4 GHz for communication between the ONT 340 and the NTU 210. With a point to point communication, the data throughput for the 2.4 GHz frequency range is typically sufficient. The NTU 210 may use a second frequency range, such as 5.0 GHz for communication between the NTU 210 and the subscriber’s devices. In this manner, the wireless signals being used for the subscriber’s devices will not tend to interfere with the wireless signals being used for the communication between the ONT 340 and the NTU 210.

[0027] In another embodiment, the wireless transceiver 330 and the wireless transceiver 320 may be combined into a single wireless transceiver, with the same wireless transceiver performing different functions.

[0028] In another embodiment, the ONT may be replaced by a cable network based modem termination that receives and sends data on a coaxial cable.

[0029] In another embodiment, the ONT may be replaced by a cellular wireless based modem, such as 4G or 5G, that receives and sends data wirelessly.

[0030] Moreover, each functional block or various features in each of the aforementioned embodiments may be implemented or executed by a circuitry, which is typically an integrated circuit or a plurality of integrated circuits. The circuitry designed to execute the functions described in the present specification may comprise a general- purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific or general application integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, or a discrete hardware component, or a combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or alternatively, the processor may be a conventional processor, a controller, a microcontroller or a state machine. The general-purpose processor or each circuit described above may be configured by a digital circuit or may be configured by an analogue circuit. Further, when a technology of making into an integrated circuit superseding integrated circuits at the present time appears due to advancement of a semiconductor technology, the integrated circuit by this technology is also able to be used.

[0031] It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, as interpreted in accordance with principles of prevailing law, including the doctrine of equivalents or any other principle that enlarges the enforceable scope of a claim beyond its literal scope. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated. The word "comprise" or a derivative thereof, when used in a claim, is used in a nonexclusive sense that is not intended to exclude the presence of other elements or steps in a claimed structure or method.