Systems and methods for burst detection in a CATV network

An active optical combiner comprising:

• a plurality of inputs, each capable of receiving an upstream optical signal;
• a combiner that combines received upstream optical signals to create a combined signal;
• a transmitter that receives the combined signal and converts it to an optical signal at an output;
• a controller for the transmitter that monitors the plurality of inputs, and controls the output of the transmitter using received said upstream optical signals,
• where the controller includes multiple detectors arranged along a transmission line, where a parasitic capacitance of each detector is inductively matched to a transmission line impedance, and where the transmission line is connected to a first port that puts out an RF signal to an RF amplifier and is connected to a second port via an RF termination resistor having an impedance substantially equal to that of the transmission line;
• and
• the controller further comprising at least one current detection circuit that can detect the presence of photo-current in one or more of the multiple detectors in order to detect the presence of optical power.