US Patent 7546036 Hybrid passive optical network using shared wavelengths

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a hybrid passive optical network using shared wavelengths is provided. In a particular embodiment, a system for communicating optical signals over a network includes an upstream terminal. The upstream terminal includes a signal source operable to transmit a downstream signal comprising at least traffic in a first wavelength and traffic in a second wavelength. The upstream terminal is operable to receive upstream traffic in a third wavelength, wherein the third wavelength is shared by a first plurality of downstream terminals and a second plurality of downstream terminals. The system also includes a distribution node comprising a wavelength router. The wavelength router is operable to receive the downstream signal, route the traffic in the first wavelength to the first plurality of downstream terminals, and route the traffic in the second wavelength to the second plurality of downstream terminals.