Broadband NG-PON Networks and Their Designing Using the HPON Network Configurator

Abstract

With the emerging applications and needs of ever increasing bandwidth, it is anticipated that the Next-Generation Passive Optical Network (NG-PON) with much higher bandwidth is a natural path forward to satisfy these demands and for network operators to develop valuable access networks. NG-PON systems present optical access infrastructures to support various applications of many service providers. Therefore, some general requirements for NG-PON networks are characterized and specified. Hybrid Passive Optical Networks (HPON) present a necessary phase of the future transition between PON classes with TDM or WDM multiplexing techniques utilized on the optical transmission medium – the optical fiber. Therefore, some specific requirements for HPON networks are characterized and presented. For developing hybrid passive optical networks, there exist various architectures and directions. They are also specified with emphasis on their basic characteristics and distinctions. Finally, the HPON network configurator as the interactive software tool is introduced in this chapter. Its main aim is helping users, professional workers, network operators and system analysts to design, configure, analyze, and compare various variations of possible hybrid passive optical networks. Some of the executed analysis is presented in detail.