Appeal No. 96-3628
Application 08/050,029
The invention is directed to passive optical networks (PON) wherein data bit
communications are transmitted over fiber optic networks. More particularly, the head-
end station is connected to a plurality of optical fiber networks. This is accomplished by a
time division, multiple access (TDMA) master in the head-end station which is connected
to at least two optical stages which are, in turn, connected to separate optical fiber
networks. Since a single TDMA master handles a plurality of fiber networks, a larger
number of end-user subscribers can be handled.
Representative independent claim 4 is reproduced as follows:
4. A passive optical network system comprising a first passive optical fiber
network connected to a time division multiple access (TDMA) master,
a first optical stage connected to the TDMA master and to the optical fiber
network,
at least one additional optical stage connected to at least one additional passive
optical fiber network, and
wherein the optical stages are connected in common to the TDMA master.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Husbands 4,776,041 Oct. 4, 1988
Ballance 4,977,593 Dec. 11, 1990
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