FEATURE NEXT-GENERATION PON
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Stacking the odds in favour of PON
Current technologies for passive optical networks are reaching their limits but, as Robert Roe discovers, making the right choice of next-generation technology is not easy
technology, has laid the ground work for the new generation of equipment, called NGPON2, which promises not only increased bandwidth, but also a much higher level of flexibility for service providers. Even though the ITU hasn’t yet finished the
T
set of technical standards required to implement this technology, it hasn’t stopped vendors trying to march on their competitors. Last October, Alcatel-Lucent said it intended to launch a commercial NG-PON2 product in the first quarter of 2015 as the access network speed war moves up another level. And none too soon. Business users and
mobile backhaul are pushing the limits of the bandwidth available under GPON, the most widely deployed standard for passive optical networks. Although it is still suitable for residential consumers, and will be for some time, the writing is clearly on the wall.
he Full Service Access Network (FSAN) group, a forum that aims to drive the development of gigabit passive optical network (GPON)
Not only can the NGPON2 standard operate
at up to 10 Gb/s symmetrical bit rate per wavelength, it supports multiple wavelengths that can be ‘stacked’ onto the same physical plant to multiply capacity even further. Four wavelengths per system are described in the standard, to give a total system capacity of 40 Gb/s, and 8 or even 16 have been discussed. With this kind of capacity, the optical
distribution network becomes suitable for any combination of residential, business, and backhaul services. Its flexibility will allow service providers to monetise and control their networks more efficiently, because they can move subscribers as quickly as needed. In addition, the standard can be run on top of, or in conjunction with, older technologies, such as GPON, and XGPON1. But technological factors are not the only
consideration. Before service providers will invest in a new technology, they must have confidence that they will be able to deploy it in sufficient volume and that it will have sufficient longevity for the investment to be worthwhile.
NGPON2 can support different services on the same physical network
26 FIBRE SYSTEMS Issue 6 • Winter 2015
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