System and method for optically powering a remote network component

An optically powered network component, comprising:

• a circuit including a VCSEL;
• and,
• an optical-electro converter that converts optical power into electrical power;
• a first optical fiber that conducts remotely generated optical power to said optical-electro converter such that said VCSEL is biased by electrical power generated by said converter and converts an electrical uplink signal into an optical uplink signal,
• a radio frequency circuit that receives a radio signal and converts it into said electrical uplink signal, and
• a third optical fiber that conducts an optical downlink signal to a second optical-electro converter that generates an electrical downlink signal, wherein said circuit includes a bias tee connected to said biasing current, said electrical downlink signal and an input of said VCSEL.

An optically powered network transponder of a picocell system, comprising:

• an optical-electro converter that converts light into a biasing current;
• a first optical fiber that conducts said light from a head-end circuit to said optical-electro converter;
• a VCSEL biased by said biasing current that generates an optical uplink signal, and
• a second optical fiber that conducts said optical uplink signal from said VCSEL to a head-end circuit of said picocell system,
• wherein said circuit includes a bias tee connected to said biasing current and an input of said VCSEL.