Passive optical networks and FTTx : technology and solutions

Competition for delivering high-bandwidth "multi-play" services (video, voice, data) is on constant increase. Advanced service delivery requires a higher bandwidth pipe to the end user through passive optical network (PON) technologies. The two major PON standards GPON is an International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) and EPON is a standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This project compares and looks at the choices and challenges service providers face as they bring new PON technology possibilities to their customers and analyze these two standards in terms of their performance, physical properties, implementation and testing requirements. It also discusses the evolution paths for each of the standards and the challenges for such evolution. The final chapter will include the conclusions, some final thoughts, suggestions and recommendations for new projects implementation.