ACCOMMODATING MULTIPLE OPTICAL SEGMENTS IN AN ETHERNET PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK

摘要

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that accommodates multiple optical segments in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON), wherein the EPON includes a central node and a number of remote nodes, and wherein the remote nodes reside in a number of optical segments. During operation, the system transmits downstream data from the central node to the remote nodes by broadcasting the data to the optical segments. In addition, the system selectively allows an optical segment to communicate with the central node during an upstream transmission period assigned to a remote node residing in that optical segment, thereby accommodating multiple optical segments and hence an increased number of remote nodes within the EPON.