The present disclosure relates to communication methods, communications devices, and storage medium. In one example method, a port of a first device supports a flexible Ethernet protocol and a standard Ethernet protocol, and a protocol type supported by a port of a second device includes at least one of the flexible Ethernet protocol or the standard Ethernet protocol. The first device obtains the protocol type supported by the port of the second device, determines a target protocol type based on the protocol type supported by the port of the second device and a protocol type supported by the port of the first device, and communicates with the second device based on the target protocol type. The target protocol type includes the flexible Ethernet protocol or the standard Ethernet protocol.

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.

Provided are a fiber-to-the-home implementing method and device. The method includes: receiving, by a virtual Passive Optical Network Medium Access Control (PON MAC) of an Optical Network Unit (ONU), a first packet from an Optical Line Terminal (OLT), determining that the first packet matches the virtual PON MAC, and searching a preset corresponding relationship for a first buffer area corresponding to the virtual PON MAC receiving the first packet; buffering, by the ONU, the received first packet in the searched first buffer area; and sending, by the ONU, the first packet in the first buffer area to a user via a User Network Interface (UNI) corresponding to the first buffer area.

Communication methods, apparatuses, systems, and storage media are provided, to implement communication between a port and another port supporting both a flexible Ethernet protocol and a standard Ethernet protocol. In an example, a port of a first device supports a flexible Ethernet protocol and a standard Ethernet protocol, and a protocol type supported by a port of a second device includes the flexible Ethernet protocol and/or the standard Ethernet protocol. The first device obtains the protocol type supported by the port of the second device, determines a target protocol type based on the protocol type supported by the port of the second device and a protocol type supported by the port of the first device, and communicates with the second device based on the target protocol type. The target protocol type includes the flexible Ethernet protocol or the standard Ethernet protocol.

Techniques and architecture are disclosed for navigating an area with multi-panel luminaires configured to display fiducial patterns. In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of luminaires located in an area and configured to display one or more fiducial patterns recognizable by a mobile computing device. The luminaire includes a plurality of panels, each panel associated with one or more solid-state light sources. The luminaire also includes at least one driver configured to control the light sources to transmit light through the plurality of panels at varying light intensities to display a fiducial pattern and configured to detect errors in the display of the fiducial pattern.

A distribution point unit to exchange communication data between a service provider and subscribers. The distribution point unit may include a first port to couple the distribution point unit to an optical data network to exchange communication data between the distribution point unit and the service provider, and a second port to couple the distribution point unit to an electrical data network to exchange the communication data between the subscribers and the distribution point unit. The distribution point unit may also include a third port to couple the distribution point unit to an electrical device, the third port being configured to provide control data to control the electrical device.

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 station-side device performs transmission and reception of an optical signal to and from a subscriber-side device, and includes a communication control unit configured to perform optical signal communication using a plurality of wavelengths by wavelength division multiplexing and time division multiplexing; and a registration unit configured to set an acceptance period in at least one wavelength among the plurality of wavelengths, to perform a new registration of a subscriber-side device in response to a registration request of the subscriber-side device received within the acceptance period, and not to set the acceptance period in at least one other wavelength among the plurality of wavelengths.

Techniques and architecture are disclosed for navigating an area with multi-panel luminaires configured to display fiducial patterns. In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of luminaires located in an area and configured to display one or more fiducial patterns recognizable by a mobile computing device. The luminaire includes a plurality of panels, each panel associated with one or more solid-state light sources. The luminaire also includes at least one driver configured to control the light sources to transmit light through the plurality of panels at varying light intensities to display a fiducial pattern and configured to detect errors in the display of the fiducial pattern.

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.