Broadband Local Network Evolution to All-Optical Implementation

Abstract

Evolution of optical broadband local networks from near term systems to future higher grade systems is studied. Direct transmission, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), time division multiplexing (TDM) and photonic TDM (P-TDM) are considered. These four systems are compared from the standpoints of economy and upgradability. Methods for analyzing costs and upgradability investigated in a previous paper[5] are modified to make it possible to include WDM systems in the analysis.The results of numerical analyses by using representative examples revealed that the TDM system with copper distribution is most economical for lower capacity applications. The photonic TDM system is shown to be most economical for higher capacity later phase applications. When upgrading costs are taken into consideration, however, photonic TDM can be most economical even for lower capacity systems from earlier phase of deployment. The sensitivities of results to cost assumptions are also studied.