Methods and apparatuses to provide a wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network with asymmetric data rates

A method, comprising:

• supplying data signals at a first data rate in a first direction in a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM PON);
• and
• supplying data signals at a second data rate in second direction in the WDM PON, wherein the second data rate is asymmetric compared to the first data rate.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for supplying data signals at a first data rate in a first direction in a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM PON);
• and
• means for supplying data signals at a second data rate in second direction in the WDM PON, wherein the second data rate is asymmetric compared to the first data rate.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a wavelength-specific light source to supply data on a single wavelength channel in a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM PON) to multiple end user locations;
• and
• a router disposed between the wavelength-specific light source and the multiple end user locations, wherein the router multiplexes data on the single wavelength channel to the multiple end user locations.

A system, comprising:

• a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM PON) that includes
• a wavelength-locked light source for communications in a first direction in a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM PON) to supply data signals at a first data rate, and
• a wavelength-specific light source for communications in a second direction in the WDM PON to supply data at a second data rate, wherein the second data rate is asymmetric compared to the first data rate.