Bidirectional communications in passive optical networks

A system, comprising:

• a passive optical splitter and an optical core multiplex for use in an optical distribution network of a passive optical network;
• wherein the optical core multiplex includes a set of optical fiber cores and is configured to support communications of an optical system including an optical channel pair including a downstream channel and an upstream channel;
• wherein a first channel of the optical channel pair is absent in at least one of the optical fiber cores of the optical core multiplex and a second channel of the optical channel pair is propagating in at least one of the optical fiber cores in which the first channel of the optical channel pair is absent and is used for active communications of the optical system in the at least one of the optical fiber cores in which the first channel of the optical channel pair is absent.

A method for use for a passive optical network, comprising:

• providing a passive optical splitter and an optical core multiplex for use in an optical distribution network of a passive optical network, wherein the optical core multiplex includes a set of optical fiber cores and is configured to support communications of an optical system including an optical channel pair including a downstream channel and an upstream channel;
• and
• supporting communications of the optical system such that a first channel of the optical channel pair is absent in at least one of the optical fiber cores of the optical core multiplex and a second channel of the optical channel pair is propagating in at least one of the optical fiber cores in which the first channel of the optical channel pair is absent and is used for active communications of the optical system in the at least one of the optical fiber cores in which the first channel of the optical channel pair is absent.

An optical core multiplex for use in an optical distribution network of a passive optical network, comprising:

• a set of optical fiber cores configured to support communications of an optical system including an optical channel pair including a downstream channel and an upstream channel;
• wherein a first channel of the optical channel pair is absent in at least one of the optical fiber cores of the optical core multiplex and a second channel of the optical channel pair is propagating in at least one of the optical fiber cores in which the first channel of the optical channel pair is absent and is used for active communications of the optical system in the at least one of the optical fiber cores in which the first channel of the optical channel pair is absent.