A Transparent Unidirectional Wave Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network Architecture

Abstract

Fiber optic networks are becoming increasingly important for new communication infrastructures. Within the optical networking domain there are many different standards and technologies. The current most advanced technology is Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM) where multiple channels are simultaneously combined onto a single strand of fiber. WDM have been around since the early 1980s, but were only implemented into large Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). One important part of the communication infrastructure is the access network or ¿last mile¿ that connects a WAN or MAN backbone to individual end-users. Until recently the access network was catered for mainly by copper communications technologies. Implementation of WDM into the access network requires cost effective designs and equipment that is capable of transmitting many transparent or colourless wavelengths. The main difficulties with implementing WDM in the access network are reducing the cost of the user¿s transceiver while providing an efficient network .In this thesis both aspects, i.e. a suitable WDM access network as well as a cost effective solution for the transceiver, are examined and demonstrated. The analysis of the network design and the transceiver demonstrates their feasibility to be implemented as a cost effective solution for WDM networking in the access network. Due to the vast data transfer rates WDM can provide, an extension to the proposed design in the form of a bandwidth on demand, infrastructure and software was developed and tested. Furthermore an alternative MAN and access network design was investigated that vastly reduces the amount of fiber needed compared with the above and other currently deployed network architectures. Analysing the results demonstrate a robust and cost efficient WDM network concept.