Reverse powering a multi-unit optical network terminal

Abstract

Techniques for powering a multi-unit optical network terminal (MU-ONT) located outside of a multi-unit building include obtaining reverse power from Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) lines connecting the MU-ONT to terminal units (TUs) or customer premises equipments (CPEs) disposed inside the building. Reverse power may be injected into the PoE lines at the TUs, for example. Via an MU-ONT reverse powering device, the reverse power may be separated from services data provided via the PoE lines, and the services data may be delivered between the TUs and a Passive Optical Network (PON) via the MU-ONT. The reverse power obtained from the PoE lines may be aggregated to provide the MU-ONT with power commensurate with its power load. In some embodiments, the MU-ONT power load may be shared or distributed across PoE lines in a passive or actively controlled manner based on variations in the MU-ONT load and/or respective characteristics of the PoE lines.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.