Traffic Capacity of Large WDM Passive Optical Networks

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the fundamental traffic capacity limits of large WDM passive optical networks using mean-field approximation, providing analytical insights and validating accuracy through simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a mean-field approximation approach to model and analyze the capacity of large WDM PONs with tunable transmitters, a novel application in this context.

Findings

Mean-field approximation accurately predicts PON capacity.

Convergence of the mean-field model is proven for simple networks.

Simulation results validate the analytical model.

Abstract

As passive optical networks (PON) are increasingly deployed to provide high speed Internet access, it is important to understand their fundamental traffic capacity limits. The paper discusses performance models applicable to wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) EPONs and GPONs under the assumption that users access the fibre via optical network units equipped with tunable transmitters. The considered stochastic models are based on multiserver polling systems for which explicit analytical results are not known. A large system asymptotic, mean-field approximation, is used to derive closed form solutions of these complex systems. Convergence of the mean field dynamics is proved in the case of a simple network configuration. Simulation results show that, for a realistic sized PON, the mean field approximation is accurate.