Telecom Italia S.p.a.

Politecnico Di Torino

Valter Ferrero

Maurizio Valvo

Roberto Gaudino

Roberto Mercinelli

Stefano Capriata

It is disclosed a optical transmitter for an optical network unit of a multi-wavelength passive optical network comprising an optical line termination and a number of further optical network units for transmitting upstream signals to said optical line termination on multiple upstream channels. The optical transmitter is configured to generate and transmit an optical activation signal carrying activation information to be transmitted to said optical line termination on an upstream channel, the activation signal having an optical power lower than the optical power of each one of said upstream signals. The optical transmitter comprises an optical source, a first electric source configured to modulate the optical source with a first electric signal carrying the activation information; and a second electric source configured to directly modulate the optical source with a second electric signal so as to produce a frequency chirp on the optical activation signal.

Activation of an optical network unit in a multi-wavelength passive optical network

A method for activating an ONU in a multi-wavelength PON. Other ONUs may be already active and transmit upstream signals to the OLT on various upstream channels. The new ONU transmits an activation signal superimposed to such upstream signals. Since the ONU may include an uncalibrated tunable transmitter, initially the activation signal wavelength might be different from that upon which the ONU shall be activated. The activation signal optical power is lower than the other upstream signals, so as not to impair their reception at the OLT. The OLT operates the ONUs already active on the upstream channel on which the new ONU shall be activated to suspend transmission for one or more time gaps, during which the OLT detects the activation signal. This improves activation signal detection conditions, thereby allowing to increase its bitrate. An acceptable duration of the activation procedure can then be achieved.

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Turin, Italy

Valter Ferrero