Comparison of Wavelength-Routed and Wavelength-Split WDM-PON in Mobile x-Haul in dense urban areas

Abstract:
New optical access technologies allow network operators to cope with larger client count and longer access distances, as well as to deliver larger bandwidth. This paper focuses on next generation optical access network architectures using Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) to interconnect heterogeneous end points. In other words, this work looks into converged access networks where the end points can be cabinets, Macro Base Stations (MBS) or Small Cells (SC), which are required at some locations to improve the coverage and the delivered bandwidth. The analysis of four different WDM-PON architectures is based on the dimensioning (with real building/street distributions based on Open Street Map) in a dense urban scenario. The dimensioning not only includes the required equipment and its power consumption, but also the passive infrastructure layout in terms of fiber length, duct length and duct size. Finally, the results of the reference scenario and the proposed scenarios will be compared and analyzed regarding the sensitivity analysis to help deduct the appropriate conclusions.