Evolution of optical access network technologies
01 January 2010
Photonic technologies have found widespread applications in high-speed longhaul and metro transmission networks for decades. Introducing similarly advanced optical technologies into access networks must respect the strict requirements for simple deployment and operations as well as ease of system migration and network maintenance. The large number of optical ports and fiber links to be provided and operated at lowest cost make access networks special as compared to their longhaul and metro networks counterparts. The paper provides a view on the status and on potential future evolution paths of optical access network technologies. Key words: optical access, PON, WDM-PON, extended reach, metro-access convergence, fiber infrastructure, open access, optical backhauling, optical monitoring, optical demarcation point