Methods and apparatus for providing enhanced optical networking service and performance which are particularly advantageous in terms of low cost and use of existing infrastructure, access control techniques, and components. In the exemplary embodiment, current widespread deployment and associated low cost of Ethernet-based systems are leveraged through use of an Ethernet CSMA/CD MAC in the optical domain on a passive optical network (PON) system. Additionally, local networking services are optionally provided to the network units on the PON since each local receiver can receive signals from all other users. An improved symmetric coupler arrangement provides the foregoing functionality at low cost. The improved system architecture also allows for fiber failure protection which is readily implemented at low cost and with minimal modification.

A technique is provided for transmitting client data included in a client signal via an optical transmission path of an optical transport network. The optical transport network uses transport frames include a transport frame period for transmitting client data. The method includes receiving multiple client entities comprising multiple client data bits; determining the number of client data entities received during a transport frame period to establish a mean number of client data entities to be included in a transport frame, the mean number of client data entities corresponding to a mean number of client data bits; mapping multiple client data entities into the transport frame wherein mapping comprises alternately adding and subtracting an amount of client data bits to/from the mean number of client data bits for at least two consecutive transport frames; and transmitting the transport frames comprising the client data via the optical transport network.

A technique is provided for transmitting client data included in a client signal via an optical transmission path of an optical transport network. The optical transport network uses transport frames include a transport frame period for transmitting client data. The method includes receiving multiple client entities comprising multiple client data bits; determining the number of client data entities received during a transport frame period to establish a mean number of client data entities to be included in a transport frame, the mean number of client data entities corresponding to a mean number of client data bits; mapping multiple client data entities into the transport frame wherein mapping comprises alternately adding and subtracting an amount of client data bits to/from the mean number of client data bits for at least two consecutive transport frames; and transmitting the transport frames comprising the client data via the optical transport network.

An optical Internet Protocol (IP) router serves a cell-site over an optical communication network. The optical IP router transmits a network attach request having an optical node name over a control optical wavelength. The optical communication node receives an assignment of a data optical wavelength, a cell-site mode, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address over the control optical wavelength based on the optical node name. The optical communication node operates in the cell-site mode and responsively exchanges cell-site data having the IP address over the data optical wavelength.

An optical Internet Protocol (IP) router serves a cell-site over an optical communication network. The optical IP router transmits a network attach request having an optical node name over a control optical wavelength. The optical communication node receives an assignment of a data optical wavelength, a cell-site mode, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address over the control optical wavelength based on the optical node name. The optical communication node operates in the cell-site mode and responsively exchanges cell-site data having the IP address over the data optical wavelength.

A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.

A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.

Provided are techniques, devices and systems that enable updating of a reportable parameter table database when a reconfigured optical communication path is formed by switching performed by a branching unit in an undersea optical communication transmission system. A processor may obtain system attributes of each respective segment of a number of segments of the reconfigured optical communication path from a first end point to a second endpoint. The system attributes of each respective segment of the number of segments may be evaluated from the first end point to the second endpoint of the reconfigured optical communication path. A reportable parameter table may be generated based on the evaluated system attributes that includes a listing of operational and structural parameters of system from the first endpoint to the second endpoint of the reconfigured optical communication path.

A robust wireless communications network is deployed by retrofitting spatially distributed light sockets with integrated light/communicator modules. Each light/communicator module comprises an electric lamp and a communicator unit, the communicator unit having an RF transceiver, an antenna, and a Broadband processor for communicating with other nodes in the wireless communication network, using a suitable mesh network protocol. A power conversion unit is optionally provided in each integrated light/communicator module so that the individual components of the module may operate on the standard light socket power or selectably from other power sources.

A robust wireless communications network is deployed by retrofitting spatially distributed light sockets with integrated light/communicator modules. Each light/communicator module comprises an electric lamp and a communicator unit, the communicator unit having an RF transceiver, an antenna, and a Broadband processor for communicating with other nodes in the wireless communication network, using a suitable mesh network protocol. A power conversion unit is optionally provided in each integrated light/communicator module so that the individual components of the module may operate on the standard light socket power or selectably from other power sources.