I Van De Voorde

The superPON demonstrator: an exploration of possible evolution paths for optical access networks

An optical broadband access network called APON (ATM-based Passive Optical Network) has been standardized and its commercial deployment started. This article discusses possible evolution scenarios for the APON system with respect to bit rate, range, and splitting factor, leading to the SuperPON concept. Technical challenges encountered during the realization of the SuperPON demonstrator within the European ACTS project PLANET are discussed in detail. In addition, to illustrate when these technologies will become commercially viable, the major results of an economic-feasibility study are presented. Finally, the SuperPON integration in the pan-European trial of the ACTS PELICAN project is described.

Full service optical access networks: ATM transport on passive optical networks

Multimedia communication has become the driving force for installing broadband systems in the public network. Different alternative solutions have been presented to realize a broadband interactive access network, such as installing optical fiber or upgrading the existing copper network with ADSL for twisted pair or hybrid fiber coax for CATV networks. Among these alternatives, optical fiber access networks are seen as the most future-safe solution. Especially, passive optical networks prove to be a cost-effective way to introduce fiber into the access network. This article presents ATM-based transport on passive optical networks, starting with a current implementation of an ATM-PON (APON) system that has already been installed for various trials. It further describes the evolution of APON systems to high-splitting, long-range PONs. The increase in both number of subscribers and distance range is discussed in combination with some specific technological issues such as upstream burst mode optical amplification. Special emphasis is placed on the work carried out within the scope of the ACTS PLANET project.

Impact of the evolution of the metropolitan network on the DSL access architecture

Without any doubt, broadband Internet access is one of the most successful services offered by telecom operators today. It gives the operator the potential of offering many new services to residential and business customers, thereby introducing new revenue streams. ATM today provides a solid solution for this. At the same time, packet-based aggregation technologies -especially Gigabit Ethernet are becoming popular for offering connectivity services to business customers. The success of packet-based aggregation technologies is mainly driven by their lower cost compared to established cell-based solutions. This article addresses a number of requirements that must be fulfilled by the access network if it is used to provide multiple services. It will be shown how MPLS and Ethernet can be used in a broadband access architecture. Both meet many of the identified requirements, but still require some standardization before reaching the same maturity as their cell-based counterpart. It will be shown how MPLS technology can be used to seamlessly link cell and packet-centric networks together. This gives operators the possibility to keep the benefits of their existing cell-based infrastructure and smoothly evolve toward a packet-centric approach when the time is right.

Network topologies for SuperPON

The generic architecture of a SuperPON (super passive optical network) with a target optical split of 2048 and a maximum range of 100 km. A bit rate of 2.5 Gbit/s is distributed to the optical network units (ONU) by time-division multiplexing (TDM) in the downstream direction, whereas a time-division multiple access (TDMA) protocol is used to share the 311-Mbit/s upstream bit rate. Optical repeater units (ORUs) are integrated in the network to compensate for the optical losses.

Dimensioning of a super PON for narrowband and broadband services

The paper discusses the bandwidth requirements for an ATM based, high splitting, wide range passive optical network (super PON). The bandwidth needs for the provision of broadband and narrowband services are evaluated. The implementation of delay sensitive narrowband services like telephone is discussed.

Novel ranging technique for an advanced optical access network

Optical bidirectional transmission over a wide-range high splitting passive optical network (PON) is discussed. As major issues, the optical amplification of the burst-mode upstream signal and the nonintrusive ranging were identified and solutions to overcome them were proposed. Further lab experiments are planned and results will be presented at the conference.

Evaluation of SuperPON demonstrator

The paper presents evaluation results of the SuperPON demonstrator. It shows the feasibility of a passive optical network with increased bit rate (2.5 Gbit/s downstream and 311 Mbit/s upstream), extended range (100 km) and enlarged splitting factor (2048).

Performance of upstream optical repeaters using semiconductor optical amplifiers for high-split long-distance PONs

Summary form only given. Summary form only given. The authors show that a maximum overhead of 2 bits can be achieved, and the pulse width distortion at 155 Mbit/s is not significant with the gain control of the semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). However, when undergoing the 311 M bit/s upgrade of the uplink, pulse reshaping might be necessary at the burst-mode receiver.