This document discusses fiber to the home (FTTH) networks. It begins by providing background on communications service providers and the evolution of access networks from copper wire to newer fiber optic technologies. Fiber access networks like passive optical networks (PON) are described as offering higher speeds and bandwidth. FTTH networks provide an ultimate network capacity and allow for new experiences like high definition TV, 3D content, and high-speed internet. The conclusion is that FTTH using optical fiber is a future-proof solution. The document is authored by Eng. Anuradha Udunuwara, an engineer with experience in telecommunications network strategy, architecture, and design.

1. FIBER TO THE HOME (FTTH)
SEPTEMBER 2013
By Eng. Anuradha Udunuwara,
BSc.Eng(Hons), CEng, MIE(SL), MEF-CECP, MBCS, ITILv3 Foundation, MIEEE, MIEEE-CS, MIEE, MIET, MCS(SL), MSLAAS

2. Agenda
 Communications Service Providers (CSP)
 Access network evolution
 Fiber access networks
 New experience
 Conclusion
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
2

3. COMMUNICATIONS
SERVICE PROVIDERS

4. Services
 Information
 Ex: Access to Internet
 Communication
 Ex: Voice, video
 Entertainment & media
 Ex: Television
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
4

5. (c) Anuradha Udunuwara
5
CSP Network
services
subscriber/
customer/
user
Why a network?
Customers don’t buy networks

6. Categorization
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
6
CSP networks
Core
Wired (optical fiber)
Wireless
Aggregation
Wired (optical fiber)
Wireless
Access
Wired
Copper
Optical fiber
AON
Optical
AMP
ME
PON
TDM PON APON
BPON
GPON
EPON
10GPON
10GEPON
WDM PON
Hybrid PON
Hybrid
Cable
Wireless
FTTx architectures

7. (c) Anuradha Udunuwara
7
Access Network
 Edge of the network
 Enable delivery of services for specific markets
 Enable the connection of telecommunication
services with subscribers

8. ACCESS NETWORK
EVOLUTION

9. Original PSTN
(Public Switched Telephone Network)
Unshielded
Twisted Pair
(local loop)
• Manual switching directly connected two local loops
• Due to microphone technology, audio Bandwidth was 4 kHz
• PSTN is the network
• POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service ) is the service
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
9
Unshielded
Twisted Pair
(local loop)

10. Data support via voice-grade modems
• To send data, it is converted into 4 kHz audio (modem)
• Data rate is determined by Shannon's capacity theorem (there is a maximum data rate (bps)
called the "capacity”, that can be reliably sent through the communications channel. The
capacity depends on the Bandwidth and SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio)
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
10

11. Digital Local Loop Technologies
 ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network )
 Voice and Data
 Longer distance
 DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
 Higher speed
 Several variants (ex:- ADSL)
 Different encoding technologies -> different data
transmission rates
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
11

12. Next Generation Access Options
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
12
TDM
POTS
V5.2
NGN
ADSL
ADSL2+
VDSL
Next
Generation
Access
FTTx, ETH
WiMAX, LTE
VDSL2

13. xDSL flavors
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
13
Source : http://wiki.ftthcouncil.eu/index.php?title=File:Dsl-distance-chart.png&filetimestamp=20100413150655

14. Evolution
 Voice centric -> data centric
 Wired -> wireless
 Copper -> fiber
 Legacy -> NGN (Next Generation Network)
 Verticals -> convergence
 TDM (Time-Division Multiplexing) -> IP (Internet Protocol)
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
14

15. FIBER ACCESS NETWORKS

16. Optical Fiber
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
16
Source : 1. http://www.okokchina.com/product/Electrical/Generators-Cables-Related-Products/Insulated-Wires-Cables-Including-Optical-Fibers/index_13.htm
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-mode_optical_fiber
1.
2.
Metal (copper) loop
Fiber cable

17. Optical Fiber Capacity
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
17
The optical fiber cable in the foreground has the equivalent capacity of the
copper cable in the backgroundSource : http://www.igpolicysummit.org/uncategorized/copper-v-fiber-verizon-makes-a-change-following-sandys-devastation/

18. Optical Fiber Transmission
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
18
Source : http://spe.sysu.edu.cn/course/course/6/build/lesson3.htm

19. FTTx Technologies
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
19

20. What is FTTH?
Copper
Fiber
24 kbps - 1.5 MbpsOld networks, optimized for voice
CO
(Central
Office)
19 Mbps - 1 Gbps +Optical networks, optimized for voice,
video and data
CO
//
CO
//
//
Note: network may be aerial or underground
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
Source: www.ftthcouncil.org
20

21. What is FTTH? , cont.,
 The ultimate capacity of a FTTH network exceeds all other transmission media.
 OLT: Optical Line Termination
 OAN: Optical Access Network
 ONT: Optical Network Terminal (single subscriber)
 ONU: Optical Network Unit (multiple subscribers)
CO
//
ONT/ONUOLT
Source: www.ftthcouncil.org
OAN/ODN
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
21

22. Architectures
 PON (Passive Optical Network)
 Shares fiber optic strands for a portion of the networks distribution
 Uses optical splitters to separate and aggregate the signal
 Power required only at the ends
 Active Node
 Subscribers have a dedicated fiber optic strand
 Many use active (powered) nodes to manage signal distribution
 Hybrid PON
 Literal combination of an Active Node and a PON architecture
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
Source: www.ftthcouncil.org
22

23. New experience
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
23
Source : 1. http://www.worldneed.us/blog/latest-sharp-lcd-tv-model-to-buy/
2. http://ahugq.vcfpq.servertrust.com/
3. http://www.mobileworldlive.com/time-to-talk-up-hd-voice
1. 2.
HD (High Definition) IPTV
3D (3 Dimension) IPTV, Games
High speed Internet
3.

24. Conclusion
25
 FTTH
 Optical fiber
 High speed / bandwidth
 Future proof
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara

25. About the Author
Eng. Anuradha Udunuwara is a Chartered Engineer by profession based in Sri Lanka. He has nearly a decade
industry experience in strategy, architecture, engineering, design, plan, implementation and maintenance of CSP
Networks using both packet-switched (PS) and Circuit-Switched (CS) technologies, along with legacy to NGN
migration. Eng. Anuradha is a well-known in the field of CSP industry, both locally and internationally.
Graduated from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2001 with an honors in Electrical & Electronic Engineering,
Eng. Anuradha is a corporate member of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, a professional member of British
Computer Society, a member of Institution of Electrical & Electronic Engineers, a member of Institution of
Engineering & Technology (formerly Institution of Electrical Engineers), a member of the Computer Society of Sri
Lanka, a life member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, a senior member of the Carrier
Ethernet Forum, a member of the Internet Society, a member of the Internet Strategy Forum, a member of the
Internet Strategy Forum Network, a member & a senior contributor of the Ethernet Academy, a member of the
NGN/IMS forum and a member of the Peradeniya Engineering Faculty Alumni Association. He is also an ITIL
foundation certified and the only MEF-CECP in the country.
In his spare time Anuradha enjoys spending time with his family, playing badminton, photography, reading and
travelling.
He can be reached at udunuwara@ieee.org
(c) Anuradha Udunuwara
25