Towards High speed Access Technologies: results from MUSE

The European MUSE project, which aims to enable "MUlti Service and access Everywhere", studies architectures, technologies and business scenarios facilitating the deployment of new Broadband Access Networks and Services. This paper gives an overview and particularly discusses results of some of the high-speed access technologies that are developed. DSL techniques are being studied extensively as a means of increasing bandwidth for the end user, but investigations show that advanced coding algorithms are able to improve the transmission capabilities over a limited range. A system for transmitting VDSL signals over optical fiber has also been developed; this allows for distribution of line signals across an optical network whilst retaining the DSLAMs at the Central Office (CO). Deployment of Fixed Wireless Access technologies such as WiMax faces similar challenges. A Radio over Fiber technique has thus been developed that deploys efficient electro-optic conversion in the Radio Access Points, again keeping the signal processing at the CO. In order to minimize operational costs, passive outside plants may provide an attractive solution. A CWDM Double Ring architecture has been developed that reduces the amount of fiber in the network, while at the same time providing protection switching. In addition to FTTH applications, this system demonstrated distribution network functionality for the other described first-mile technologies. With the ensuring migration from DSLAMs to Optical Access Multiplexers, the increased power consumption requirements are proving problematic for operators. An Access Multiplexer for Optical Ethernet was developed with a high port density, demonstrating power-per-subscriber requirements closer to DSLAM values.