Analysis of WDM-PON for Next-Generation Back- and Fronthaul

TL;DR

This paper analyzes WDM-PON technology for next-generation mobile backhaul and fronthaul, exploring cost-efficient configurations and coexistence with residential FTTH networks using NG-PON2 TWDM.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of WDM-PON for mobile backhaul and fronthaul, including cost comparisons and coexistence scenarios with residential access.

Findings

Highly concentrated base-band unit pools are cost-efficient at 10 Gb/s.

WDM-PON can serve both mobile backhaul and residential FTTH.

Different BBU pool locations impact overall cost efficiency.

Abstract

An analysis of next-generation infrastructure for mobile back- and fronthaul is presented. The same infrastructure can be used for wireline backhaul and dedicated business access. Possible coexistence with FTTH residential access based on NG-PON2 TWDM is also analyzed. Further, different locations for pools of base-band units in fronthaul scenarios are compared with regard to resulting cost. It turns out that fronthaul with highly concentrated base-band unit pools can be cost-efficient even if fronthaul bit rates reach 10 Gb/s.