Optical Layer Local Area Network Emulation in a Multifunctional Repeater-Based Optical Access Network

A simple and bandwidth-efficient scheme for providing local area networking among customers in a multifunctional repeater-based optical access network is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The local traffic from a customer premises is carried on a radio frequency carrier along with the upstream traffic, and this traffic is electrically separated and then combined with downstream traffic at the remote repeater for delivery to the customers.