Building on the Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) and Gigabit PON (GPON) standards, Next-Generation (NG) PONs (i) provide increased data rates, split ratios, wavelengths counts, and fiber lengths, as well as (ii) allow for all-optical integration of access and metro networks. In this paper we provide a comprehensive probabilistic analysis of the capacity (maximum mean packet throughput) and packet delay of subnetworks that can be used to form NG-PONs. Our analysis can cover a wide range of NG-PONs through taking the minimum capacity of the subnetworks making up the NG-PON and weighing the packet delays of the subnetworks. Our numerical and simulation results indicate that our analysis quite accurately characterizes the throughput-delay performance of EPON/GPON tree networks, including networks upgraded with higher data rates and wavelength counts. Our analysis also characterizes the trade-offs and bottlenecks when integrating EPON/GPON tree networks across a metro area with a ring, a Passive Star Coupler (PSC), or an Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) for uniform and nonuniform traffic. To the best of our knowledge, the presented analysis is the first to consider multiple PONs interconnected via a metro network. PON standards IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet PON (EPON) and ITU-T G.984 Gigabit PON (GPON) consist both of a single upstream wavelength channel and a separate single downstream wavelength channel, whereby both channels are operated with time division multiplexing (TDM). EPON and GPON are expected to coexist for the foreseeable future as they evolve into Next-Generation PONs (NG-PONs) [2], [3], [4]. NG-PONs are mainly envisioned to (i) achieve higher performance parameters, e.g., higher bandwidth per subscriber, increased split ratio, and extended maximum reach, than current EPON/GPON architectures [5], and (ii) broaden EPON/GPON functionalities to include, for instance, the consolidation of optical access, metro, and backhaul networks, the support of topologies other than conventional tree structures, and protection [6]. Throughout, network operators are seeking NG-PON solutions that can transparently coexist
