Multi-Speed Burst Mode Serializer/De-Serializer

A multi-speed serializer/de-serializer, comprising:

• a clock recovery module that is configurable in real time to operate in a plurality of modes, wherein a first of said plurality of modes is capable of locking onto an incoming embedded clock within signals generated by a first optical network unit at a first speed, and a second of said plurality of modes is capable of locking onto an incoming embedded clock within signals generated by a second optical network unit at a second speed different from said first speed,
• wherein said clock recovery module is configured to operate in one of said plurality for each time slot based on a speed indication for each time slot.

A multi-speed serializer/de-serializer method, comprising:

• configuring a clock recovery module of a serializer/de-serializer in a first operating mode that locks onto an incoming embedded clock within a first signal generated by a first optical network unit operating at a first operating speed;
• and
• reconfiguring, in real time, said clock recovery module to change from said first operating mode to a second operating mode that locks onto an incoming embedded clock within a second signal generated by a second optical network unit operating at a second operating speed different from said first operating speed.