A passive network termination for BISDN optical subscriber lines

Abstract

Considerable cost saving and overall simplification can be achieved if the protocol for the access digital section is made identical to the one at the T interface. The network termination (NT1) may then be realized as a passive device, such as a simple connector. All active functions associated with the NT1 can then be performed on a time-shared basis from the premises of the network provider. This scheme obviates the need for remote power feeding and activation mechanisms of the NT1. The time sharing of active functions, such as optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) for supervision of the physical conditions of the lines, allows a substantial cost reduction of the subscriber access. It is shown that this technique yields a more efficient maintenance scheme than that afforded by an active NT1, resulting in a cost saving also in the long term. Ways of implementing the passive NT1 are discussed, and also its position in the evolution of passive optical networks (PON) towards BISDN.