Synchronization and Control Using Out-of-Band Channels in Passive Optical Network-Based Systems

摘要

Systems and methods are provided to use of out-of-band (OOB) channels for the transport of network-synchronization signals and network control information. These OOB channels transport synchronization and control channels over low-frequency bands outside of the frequency bands used for the data channels. Locating expensive network-synchronization functions in the optical network unit (ONU) and sharing the derived synchronization signals among multiple downstream customer premises equipment (CPE) devices results in cost savings and provides a means for maintaining a continuous, end-to-end synchronization reference, even during periods when the data channels on the copper network segment are in an energy-efficiency mode (e.g., a low-power and/or sleep mode).

主权项

1. A subscriber device, comprising:
an optical network unit (ONU), wherein the ONU is configured to:
receive a communication from an optical line terminal (OLT), the communication including synchronization information, andgenerate a synchronization signal including the synchronization information; and a synchronization processor and frequency combiner coupled to the ONU, wherein the synchronization processor and frequency combiner is configured to:
receive the synchronization signal,generate, using the synchronization signal, an out-of-band (OOB) synchronization signal, andtransmit the OOB synchronization signal to customer premises equipment (CPE) over one or more OOB channels.