Wavelength Division Multiplexing Ethernet Passive Optical Networks - Importance and Architectures.

What is it about?

Throughout the chapters of this book, we address many of the specified issues and present models and algorithms of WDM EPON. Moreover, we are convinced that the hardware implementation of the presented models and algorithms would operate in a foreseen manner and would not involve any additional implementation complexity. In the first place, we present a theory of differentiated services that essentially represents a basis for the QoS implementation in Ethernet-based networks since the QoS support has become a crucial requirement for a converged broadband access network with heterogeneous traffic. Furthermore, we present a detailed analysis and discuss the most important aspects of QoS support and implementation in networks that are based on optical transmission, particularly EPONs and WDM EPONs.

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Why is it important?

In last decade, Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs) were considered as a potential optimized architecture for the access network. EPONs are designed to carry Ethernet frames at standard Ethernet rates where architecture is passive with only active the end terminating equipment. Propelled by rapid price declines of fiber optic and Ethernet components, these access networks combine the latest in optical and electronic technology and become the dominant players for delivering gigabit broadband connectivity to homes over a unified single platform. A major feature for this architecture is the use of a shared transmission media between all users; hence, medium access control arbitration mechanism is essential for the successful implementation of EPON. This mechanism ensures a contention-free transmission and provides end-users with an equal access to the shared media. Moreover, with the development of different multimedia based applications like HDTV, internet protocol TV (IPTV), and many others, the related quality of service (QoS) issues are also becoming a key concern. Namely, together with an increasing number of users in the access network, the number of bandwidth-hungry applications is increasing as well.

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