Optical networks for local loop applications

Abstract

A new generation of optical networks is made possible by the use of wavelength flattened optical power dividers in the local loop. These networks offer virtually unlimited potential for new broad-band services, e.g., CATV, HDTV, and high speed ATM systems, while allowing early economic provision of a fiber infrastrucuture for existing telephony and data services.

The evolution of optical systems: Optics everywhere

“…25 In a PON, a single fiber connects a central office to a passive optical splitter, which distributes the signal to about 16 optical network units (ONUs). The ONUs perform optical-to-electrical conversion and deliver service to living units.…”

<title>Architectural considerations in the design of WDM-based optical access networks</title>

“…Since much has already been written about the design of PONs for access networks, we refer the reader to the literature for more information about the physical layer design of PONs [FR96,PB95,LS89,MC89,FPS89,WL89]. Instead, we focus in this paper on higher layer architectural considerations in the access network.…”

“…The focus on a passive architecture was motivated by the need for low cost, simple maintenance and powering considerations. A number of architectures were developed and systems were demonstrated [FR96,LS89,MC89,FPS89,WL89]. The assumption was that the PON would be used to provide connectivity between the end user premise and the CO, where signals would be carried over an electronic network.…”

Long-Reach Optical Access Technologies

“…A major obstacle for optical access networks was the cost associated with installing an optical transmitter and receiver in the ONU at the customer premises [2]. Standard PON reduces this burden by using lower cost uncooled transmitters in the ONU.…”

“…However, the cost reduction offered by a PON is not enough due to the expensive optical equipment that must be installed at each customer premises. Studies carried out in the 1990s estimated that the cost of installing fiber throughout the United Kingdom (UK) would be in the region of £15 billion [1]; a massive investment, especially for a private company [2]. FTTH was deferred in favor of incremental technologies based on DSL, which provided small increases in bandwidth without the requirement for large capital investment.…”