TECHNICAL
Challenges
by Wolfgang Moench, senior product line manager, VIAVI and Douglas Clague, fibRE solutions manager, VIAVI in Next-Gen PON Deployment
Passive optical networks (PONs) are increasingly
Evolving Standards As with any network, the equipment used with PON must adhere to standards for operation. These are set by the ITU and IEEE groups and, in the case of the ITU, will address GPON (Gigabit PON), XGS- PON (10-Gbps PON), and NG-PON2 standards. For the most part, GPON is what we see in use today. But current GPON and IEEE EPON standards do not enable further scaling of subscriber count or capacity to reach end-user bandwidth requirements. The next steps will be to increase service capacity and become symmetrical. The table below illustrates the standards and rates and how next-generation PON will increase capacity (and revenue). Current
This evolution is driving a need for higher bandwidth in the downstream. Adding to that, growing services such as online gaming, file sharing and cloud computing will generate more symmetrical traffic. It’s apparent that in the long-term, optical access will have to evolve towards symmetrical traffic transport. For next-generation networks (NG- PON), service providers expect improved bandwidth and service support capabilities over their existing PONs. While NG-PON2 networks are considered the most promising approach, service providers do have to deal with evolving standards.
viewed as a crucial element of current
and future broadband access networks. The massive deployment of PONs is driven by growing bandwidth demand, primarily fueled by high- speed internet traffic.
86
Volume 46 No.4 DECEMBER 2024
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker