SC114 Passive Optical Networks (PONs)

Sunday, March 21, 2010
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Frank J. Effenberger; Huawei Technologies, USA
Level: Advanced Beginner (basic understanding of topic is necessary to follow course material)


Course Description

PONs are experiencing solid double-digit growth as they become the key network approach for deploying Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and to other premises. It is important to understand the pros and cons of these networks, particularly what advantages they offer vs. active and point-to-point alternatives. This includes knowing the tradeoffs among the three most common PONs: GPONs (“gigabit” PONs which use a protocol evolved from ATM, the Asynchronous Transfer Mode), EPONs (“Ethernet” PONs which use a modified Ethernet protocol), and WDM-PONs (“wavelength-division multiplexed” PONs which assign a unique optical wavelength to each customer). All three, as well as other versions of PONs, can deliver today’s triple-play services over a single, low-maintenance, future-proof network. This course examines and compares PON architectures, their transport protocols, their evolution to meet future needs, and CAPEX and OPEX considerations.


Benefits and Learning Objectives

This course should enable you to:

  • Understand and discuss the capabilities and advantages of different PONs.
  • Be able to describe the pros and cons of ATM/GEM vs. Ethernet for broadband access.
  • Be able to explain the motivations behind the Full-Service-Access-Network and Ethernet-in-the-First-Mile initiatives.
  • Understand the relative importance of operations expenses (OPEX) compared with capital expenses (CAPEX).

Intended Audience

This course is intended for engineers, network planners and product designers involved with broadband access and a need to understand passive optical networks.


Biography

After completing his doctoral work in 1995, Dr. Effenberger took a position with Bellcore (now Telcordia) where he analyzed all types of access network technologies, focusing on those that employed passive optical networks. He witnessed the early development of the FSAN initiative and the development of the APON standard. In 2000, he moved to Quantum Bridge Communications (now a part of Motorola), where he managed system engineering in their PON division. This work supported the development and standardization of advanced optical access systems based on B-PON and G-PON technologies. In 2006, he became director of FTTx in the advanced technology department of Huawei Technologies, USA. He remains heavily involved in the standards work, and is a leading contributor and editor of the major PON standards in the ITU. In addition, his work has turned towards more forward-looking fiber access technologies, including the 802.3av 10G EPON and ITU NGA topics.