Multi-functional units incorporating lighting capabilities in converged networks, and related networks and methods are disclosed. The multi-functional units are configured to be included at end points in a wireless communications network to serve as distribution points for distribution of communications services. Each multi-functional unit includes a plurality of wireless communications circuits in a single unit or housing to support multiple communications services. Thus, a single multi-functional unit can be installed in a location to support the multiple communications services to minimize installation footprint. To further conserve installation footprint, the wireless communications network can be provided as a converged network that includes a single communications backbone to converge multiple networks for the multiple communications services supported by the multi-functional units. Further, by the multi-functional units also supporting lighting capabilities, the multi-functional units may be installed in lighting fixture locations to minimize the footprint.

Methods and systems for unifying an EPON network and a coax-based access network may include, in a network with an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) optical line terminal (OLT), coaxial network units (CNUs), and an optical coax bridge (OCB) with a plurality of virtual optical network units (vONUs) each comprising a plurality of logical link identifiers (LLIDs) and having its own MAC address, each vONU corresponding to one CNU: forming, in the OCB, each of the plurality of vONUs when a respective CNU is admitted to a coax network coupled to the OCB; communicating data transmissions from an optical fiber network to the coax network, and data transmissions from the coax network to the optical fiber network, via said OCB; and transmitting and receiving data packets between the OLT and the at least one CNU. The OCB may emulate an optical network unit (ONU) relative to the OLT.

Circuitry of a hybrid fiber-coaxial network may comprise a first transceiver configured to connect the circuitry to an optical link, a second transceiver configured to connect the circuitry to an electrical link, a first processing path, a second processing path, and a switching circuit. In a first configuration, the switching circuit may couple the first transceiver to the second transceiver via the first processing path. In a second configuration, the switching circuit may couple the first transceiver to the second transceiver via the second processing path. The first transceiver may comprise a passive optical network (PON) transceiver and the second transceiver may comprise a data over coaxial service interface specification (DOCSIS) physical layer transceiver. The switching circuit may be configured based on the type of headend to which the circuitry is connected.

Some aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide effective mechanisms for provisioning virtual networks on communication networks. In particular some aspects and embodiments provide an effective mechanism for embedding a virtual network into a multi-layered substrate network which utilizes a different communication technology at each layer. One such example is an IP network overlaid over an optical network, such as an OTN network. Embodiments jointly determine the assignment of virtual nodes and virtual links. Assigning the nodes and links together can provide for a more optimal solution than assigning the nodes and the links separately. Some embodiments generate a collapsed graph which includes the optical network and the IP network in a single layer. Accordingly some embodiments jointly determine the assignment of virtual nodes and virtual links within such a collapsed graph, which can provide more optimal assignments than considering assignments within each layer separately. In some embodiments, generating a collapsed graph includes allocating residual capacity to each link of the collapsed graph; and allocating a cost for each link of the collapsed graph. In some embodiments, allocating a cost for each link includes allocating a higher cost to optical links than to IP links. In some cases, allocating the higher costs can discourage the creation of new links unless they are needed or are beneficial (e.g. creating new links improves the overall cost/efficiency). Some embodiments utilize a heuristic method for solving an optimization function for the placement of virtual nodes and links.

Methods and systems for unifying an EPON network and a coax-based access network may include, in a network with an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) optical line terminal (OLT), coaxial network units (CNUs), and an optical coax bridge (OCB) with a plurality of virtual optical network units (vONUs) each comprising a plurality of logical link identifiers (LLIDs) and having its own MAC address, each vONU corresponding to one CNU: forming, in the OCB, each of the plurality of vONUs when a respective CNU is admitted to a coax network coupled to the OCB; communicating data transmissions from an optical fiber network to the coax network, and data transmissions from the coax network to the optical fiber network, via said OCB; and transmitting and receiving data packets between the OLT and the at least one CNU. The OCB may emulate an optical network unit (ONU) relative to the OLT.

A Passive Optical Networks (PONs) structure and a remote node in such a structure constituting at least a part of a backhaul network for supporting a Radio Access Network, in which a number of radio base stations are connected to optical networks units (ONUs) of said PONs structure. The ONUs of said PONs structure are grouped between separate PONs of said PONs structure. The ONUs of a separate PON are interconnected passively through a remote node of the PON in order to separate inter base station traffic of X2 interfaces from uplink and downlink data traffic of S1 interface heading from/to a core network via an optical line terminal (OLT). The remote node comprises of power splitter for enabling interconnection between ONUs of different PONs of said PONs structure.

Circuitry of a hybrid fiber-coaxial network may comprise a first transceiver configured to connect the circuitry to an optical link, a second transceiver configured to connect the circuitry to an electrical link, a first processing path, a second processing path, and a switching circuit. In a first configuration, the switching circuit may couple the first transceiver to the second transceiver via the first processing path. In a second configuration, the switching circuit may couple the first transceiver to the second transceiver via the second processing path. The first transceiver may comprise a passive optical network (PON) transceiver and the second transceiver may comprise a data over coaxial service interface specification (DOCSIS) physical layer transceiver. The switching circuit may be configured based on the type of headend to which the circuitry is connected.

Methods and systems for unifying an EPON network and a coax-based access network may include, in a network with an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) optical line terminal (OLT), coaxial network units (CNUs), and an optical coax bridge (OCB) with a plurality of virtual optical network units (vONUs) each comprising a plurality of logical link identifiers (LLIDs) and having its own MAC address, each vONU corresponding to one CNU: forming, in the OCB, each of the plurality of vONUs when a respective CNU is admitted to a coax network coupled to the OCB; communicating data transmissions from an optical fiber network to the coax network, and data transmissions from the coax network to the optical fiber network, via said OCB; and transmitting and receiving data packets between the OLT and the at least one CNU. The OCB may emulate an optical network unit (ONU) relative to the OLT.

Multi-functional units incorporating lighting capabilities in converged networks, and related networks and methods are disclosed. The multi-functional units are configured to be included at end points in a wireless communications network to serve as distribution points for distribution of communications services. Each multi-functional unit includes a plurality of wireless communications circuits in a single unit or housing to support multiple communications services. Thus, a single multi-functional unit can be installed in a location to support the multiple communications services to minimize installation footprint. To further conserve installation footprint, the wireless communications network can be provided as a converged network that includes a single communications backbone to converge multiple networks for the multiple communications services supported by the multi-functional units. Further, by the multi-functional units also supporting lighting capabilities, the multi-functional units may be installed in lighting fixture locations to minimize the footprint.

A method and system for supporting M1MO technologies which can require the transport of multiple spatial streams on a traditional Distributed Antenna System (DAS). According to the invention, at one end of the DAS, each spatial stream is shifted in frequency to a pre-assigned band (such as a band at a frequency lower than the native frequency) that does not overlap the band assigned to other spatial streams (or the band of any other services being carried by the DAS). Each of the spatial streams can be combined and transmitted as a combined signal over a common coaxial cable. At the other end of the DAS, the different streams are shifted back to their original (overlapping) frequencies but retain their individual identities by being radiated through physically separate antenna elements.