D2.4 for ACCORDANCE

This report is the third and last in the series of OFDM-based access network architecture. It covers a wide field of aspects of metro/access and wireless /wireline convergence. First, the operator requirements for the convergence of in the past separated network levels and heterogeneous services are collected. The F/M access networks convergence model is then presented. The networking proposal leverages on the combination of coarse and dense wavelength multiplexing for a mobile access network with centralized eNodeBs (LTE) and PCM fronthauling interconnections to distributed remote radio heads. The alternative opportunities and characteristics of analog Radio-over-fiber interconnection of remote heads and centralized baseband and radio stages are investigated and described. Challenges arising in long-reach broadband access for the multiple-access report/grant process, from propagation delays of up to 100km fiber links are tackled. Mitigating methods are investigated and simulation results are presented for the dedicated long-reach situation in addition to medium span results prepared in workpackage four. Finalizing on earlier assessment of various options for OFDM/OFDMA based multi-point access, the preferred solution is described, an active variant of solution#1 (c.f. D2.2) Based on this selection, generic migration paths from GPON-type networks towards OFDM/A based long-reach networks are set up and compared against a metric of requirements from network operators. The results are underlining the dominance of fully shared ODNs (optical distribution network) in combination with a wavelength-multiplexed trunk link.