Multi-service adaptable optical network unit
First Claim
1. A fiber-to-the-curb digital loop carrier system for transporting multi-media information in the local loop between a central office switching station and a plurality of customer locations, comprising:
- a plurality of host digital terminals coupled to the central office switching station by fiber-optic connections; and
at least one optical network unit coupled to a host digital terminal by fiber-optic connections, wherein each optical network unit comprises;
at least one multi-service common card, comprising;
a fiber optic-interface;
a service multiplexer; and
a plurality of card-link interface circuits;
a plurality of service cards, comprising;
circuitry for processing a particular multi-media service; and
at least one card-link interface circuit; and
a plurality of card-links coupling the plurality of service cards to the multi-service common card, wherein the card links are low voltage differential signal (LVDS) connections.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-service, adaptable optical network unit (ONU) is disclosed for use in a fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) digital loop carrier system, including a multi-service common card and a plurality of multi-media service cards that are connected to the common card using a card-link interface. The card-link interface is preferably a high-speed LVDS serial-bus connection that is organized in a star configuration such that each service card is connected to the multi-service common card using a separate point-to-point card-link. By eliminating the traditional backplane structure found in present ONU designs, the present invention provides a scalable, adaptable, future-proof FTTC system that can transport present-day multi-media services as well as yet-to-be-defined future high-bandwidth applications.
161 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A fiber-to-the-curb digital loop carrier system for transporting multi-media information in the local loop between a central office switching station and a plurality of customer locations, comprising:
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a plurality of host digital terminals coupled to the central office switching station by fiber-optic connections; and
at least one optical network unit coupled to a host digital terminal by fiber-optic connections, wherein each optical network unit comprises;
at least one multi-service common card, comprising;
a fiber optic-interface;
a service multiplexer; and
a plurality of card-link interface circuits;
a plurality of service cards, comprising;
circuitry for processing a particular multi-media service; and
at least one card-link interface circuit; and
a plurality of card-links coupling the plurality of service cards to the multi-service common card, wherein the card links are low voltage differential signal (LVDS) connections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An optical network unit for use in a fiber-to-the-curb system, comprising:
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a multi-service common card;
a plurality of service cards; and
a plurality of serial interface connections for communicating information between the common card and the plurality of service cards, wherein the serial interface connections are low voltage differential signal (LVDS) connections. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
a fiber optic interface;
a service multiplexer; and
a plurality of card-link interface circuits for implementing the plurality of serial interface connections.
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31. The optical network unit of claim 30, wherein the multi-service common card further includes:
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a controller;
a packet engine; and
a drop test unit.
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32. The optical network unit of claim 31, further including a power converter and a ringing generator.
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33. The optical network unit of claim 32, wherein signals from the power converter, ringing generator, service multiplexer and drop test unit are communicated over the serial interconnections between the multi-service common card and the plurality of service cards.
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34. The optical network unit of claim 25, wherein the plurality of service cards include:
- a telephony card; and
a high-speed data card.
- a telephony card; and
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35. The optical network unit of claim 25, wherein the multi-service common card is capable of processing video, data and telephony information.
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36. The optical network unit of claim 25, further comprising a card cage with adjustable card guides for holding the multi-service common cards and the plurality of service cards.
Specification