Modeling and Techno-Economic Evaluations of WDM-PONs

Abstract

In the near future, broadband access networks will be required with data rates of over 1Gbit/s per customer. Currently, time-division multiple access passive optical networks (TDMA-PONs) are deployed. However, TDMA-PONs cannot keep up with the requirements for the broadcasting of a great number of HDTV channels and the unicasting of several triple-play services (voice, data and video). In contrast, wavelength-division-multiplexed PONs (WDM PONs) will be able to provide these required high data rates per user causing higher costs than with TDM-PONs. The introduced paradigm shift, at least one wavelength per service and user, leads to the introduction of new aspects in the design of future WDM PON access networks. In techno-economic evaluations, new network architectures with the highest potential concerning economic considerations have been identified. Access to these newly identified network architectures will prompt market introduction as well as market penetration helping Fiber-tothe- Home (FTTH) to become reality.