Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks

7

OTHER TECHNOLOGIES

In this chapter:

• Ethernet PON: EPON
• Wireless
• Copper
• Point-to-point fiber
• WDM PON

In this book, we have discussed G-PON in detail. In this, the final chapter, we turn to a high-level comparison of some of the other access technologies, existing or potential. Some of them compete with G-PON; others are complementary.

• EPON Ethernet PON is the technology most often compared with G-PON. It addresses the same point-to-multipoint topology as G-PON, but in a distinctly different way. EPON will be of interest to students of G-PON, so we treat it first and in considerable detail.
• Wireless The single most important feature of wireless networks is mobility. It is therefore tempting to consider wireline and wireless networks to occupy completely different spaces, and indeed the introduction of this book takes that position. But the fixed network is heavily involved with wireless networks, and dynamic wireless handoff, and provisioned wireless backhaul will become increasingly important in the future.
• Copper Because there is a large amount of copper already in place—a sunk cost—incumbent operators are strongly motivated to reuse it if they can. In subscriber drops, copper nicely complements G-PON.
• Ethernet, Point-to-Point Especially for business customers, large radio base station installations, and remote DSLAMs, dedicated fiber carrying GbE or 10GE is without doubt the simplest solution. If plenty of fiber is available, point-to-point access is tempting. As with any ...