A Survey on High-Capacity OFDM-based Passive Optical Networks

TL;DR

This survey reviews high-capacity OFDM-based passive optical networks, emphasizing adaptive modulation, WDM-OFDM architecture, and techniques like reflective amplification to enhance speed, reach, and efficiency in access networks.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current and future optical network architectures, highlighting innovative modulation and amplification techniques for high-capacity PONs.

Findings

WDM-OFDM architectures can significantly increase capacity and reach.

Reflective semiconductor optical amplification can reduce the need for additional light sources.

Adaptive modulation is key to future-proof high-speed optical access networks.

Abstract

The exponential growth of demand for high-speed internet and high bandwidth applications such as interactive entertainment in access networks mandates the requirement for higher optical signal speeds. On the other hand, since cost and energy efficiency should be concurrently preserved in access networks, PONs have emerged as a breakthrough solution. This survey shows that future-proof PONs should be supported by an adaptively modulated WDM-OFDM architecture to maximize signal capacity and transmission-reach, while the employment of reflective semiconductor optical amplification and re-modulation can potentially prevent the employment of an additional light source.