US Patent 7684705 Distribution node for a wavelength-sharing network

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a distribution node for a wavelength-sharing network is provided. In a particular embodiment, a distribution node for an optical network includes a wavelength router and a power splitter. The wavelength router is operable to receive a downstream signal comprising at least traffic in a first wavelength and traffic in a second wavelength from an upstream terminal, route the traffic in the first wavelength to a first plurality of downstream terminals, and route the traffic in the second wavelength to a second plurality of downstream terminals. The power splitter is operable to receive an upstream signal comprising at least traffic in a third wavelength from the downstream terminals, wherein the downstream terminals share the third wavelength for transmission of upstream traffic.