PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK

Abstract

Demand for faster and cheaper access network has been rising due to the rapid growth of Internet with new generation of services and applications. Optical fiber has been envisioned for delivering broadband services for more than 30 years and becomes almost essential recently. To address the present and future bandwidth demand, broadband fiber access technologies such as Passive Optical Networks (PONs) are a potential solution. Mostly, Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) based PON is deployed all over the world. Researchers have been investigating some next-generation PON systems to mitigate the future bandwidth demand. In this paper, we review the history of PONs, examine their current status, and finally investigate the probable future PONs. We also review the key enabling features for future PONs and smooth migration process from the current status to the future technologies.

Keywords: Passive Optical Network (PON), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), Code Division Multiplexing (CDM), FTTx