Fiber-in-the-loop Research Articles

Reliability challenges for deployment of fiber in the loop

Component, system, and network reliability are examined. With respect to component and system reliability, device operating temperatures (which could extend down to -40 degrees C in the winter or up to +85 degrees C in the summer) demand extraordinary attention to basic design and manufacturing reliability-assurance practices. Reliability of the telecommunications network, including the loop segment, is often described in terms of availability, which depends on several factors: network architecture, including media redundancy; system architecture, including hardware redundancy or protection switching; hardware and software reliability; and time to repair failures. The problems faced in dealing with each of these factors are discussed. >

Cost of power—the user's perspective

Abstract With the advent of fiber in the loop, transmission of power ceases to be through the traditional communications medium, and the objective of powering voice lines over fiber with the same reliability goals as plain old telephone service (POTS) raises several technological, regulatory, and business issues. In order to power the optical network unit (ONU) and provide backup power for it during commercial power outages, three strategies are identified: 1) providing loop powering from a −48 volt CO/CEV power plant; 2) providing power and backup power locally, from or near the end of the loop in proximity to the OW; and 3) providing power from the curb or a power node. This paper constructs economic models to determine the worth of a watt at the 5-volt logic level at an ONU for each of the powering strategies. By normalizing all costs to the worth of a watt, comparisons can be made and appropriate architectures can be selected for various applications.

Cost projections for fiber in the loop

A forecast is provided of the cost of realizing an all-fiber network. It is based on the successful histories of fiber penetration into the trunk and feeder networks and is intended to help build a framework against which local or regional strategies for network evolution can be tested. Starting with the early trend data for fiber to the home (FTTH), the pattern for the complete conversion of the lop network to fiber is estimated. No attempt has been made to factor in the impact that greater demand for broadband, particularly in the business sector, may have in accelerating the process; the impact of unforeseen new technologies in reducing costs; or the effect of the European and Asian markets in driving down costs. The results do, however, suggest a smooth transition to broadband as part of the normal improvement and evolution of the network, with a time-frame consistent with other views on the evolution of broadband.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>