A review of passive optical network media access control protocols and their application to advanced passive optical networks

摘要

There is a consensus among telecommunication companies that fibre provides a more future-proof solution in terms of service capability, responding to new service demand, network reliability and reduced costs. A new generation of advanced PONs (Passive Optical Networks) is envisaged, which could carry ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) and use optical amplification to increase the length of the PON, the data rate and the number of ONUs (Optical Network Units) it serves. These characteristics result in special requirements on the MAC (Media Access Control) protocol, which will be described. Current PON protocols are reviewed and their application to advanced PONs is considered. The general characteristics of a MAC protocol suited to advanced PONs is demand assignment with a fixed frame period.