Photonics

Like every other telecom network, cable networks had to change to meet the growing demand for data. These demands led to the development of hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks in the 1990s and 2000s. In these networks, optical fibers travel from the cable company hub and terminate in optical nodes, while coaxial cable connects the last few hundred meters from the optical node to nearby houses. Most of these connections were asymmetrical, giving customers more capacity to download data than upload.

That being said, the way we use the Internet has evolved over the last ten years. Users now require more upstream bandwidth thanks to the growth of social media, online gaming, video calls, and independent content creation such as video blogging. The DOCSIS standards that govern data transmission over coaxial cables have advanced quickly because of these additional needs. For instance, full-duplex transmission with symmetrical upstream and downstream channels is permitted under the most current DOCSIS 4.0 specifications.

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) systems, which bring fiber right to the customer’s door, are also proliferating and enabling Gigabit connections quicker than HFC networks. Overall, extending optical fiber deeper into communities (see Figure 1 for a graphic example) is a critical economic driver, increasing connectivity for the rural and underserved. These investments also lead to more robust competition among cable companies and a denser, higher-performance wireless network.

Passive optical networks (PONs) are a vital technology to cost-effectively expand the use of optical fiber within access networks and make FTTH systems more viable. By creating networks using passive optical splitters, PONs avoid the power consumption and cost of active components in optical networks such as electronics and amplifiers. PONs can be deployed in mobile fronthaul and mid-haul for macro sites, metro networks, and enterprise scenarios.

Despite some success from PONs, the cost of laying more fiber and the optical modems for the end users continue to deter carriers from using FTTH more broadly across their networks. This cost problem will only grow as the industry moves into higher bandwidths, such as 50G and 100G, requiring coherent technology in the modems.

Therefore, new technology and manufacturing methods are required to make PON technology more affordable and accessible. For example, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-PON allows providers to make the most of their existing fiber infrastructure. Meanwhile, simplified designs for coherent digital signal processors (DSPs) manufactured at large volumes can help lower the cost of coherent PON technology for access networks.

The Advantages of WDM PONs

Previous PON solutions, such as Gigabit PON (GPON) and Ethernet PON (EPON), used time-division multiplexing (TDM) solutions. In these cases, the fiber was shared sequentially by multiple channels. These technologies were initially meant for the residential services market, but they scale poorly for the higher capacity of business or carrier services. PON standardization for 25G and 50G capacities is ready but sharing a limited bitrate among multiple users with TDM technology is an insufficient approach for future-proof access networks.

This WDM-PON uses WDM multiplexing/demultiplexing technology to ensure that data signals can be divided into individual outgoing signals connected to buildings or homes. This hardware-based traffic separation gives customers the benefits of a secure and scalable point-to-point wavelength link. Since many wavelength channels are inside a single fiber, the carrier can retain very low fiber counts, yielding lower operating costs.

WDM-PON has the potential to become the unified access and backhaul technology of the future, carrying data from residential, business, and carrier wholesale services on a single platform. We discussed this converged access solution in one of our previous articles. Its long-reach capability and bandwidth scalability enable carriers to serve more customers from fewer active sites without compromising security and availability.

Migration to the WDM-PON access network does require a carrier to reassess how it views its network topology. It is not only a move away from operating parallel purpose-built platforms for different user groups to one converged access and backhaul infrastructure. It is also a change from today’s power-hungry and labor-intensive switch and router systems to a simplified, energy-efficient, and transport-centric environment with more passive optical components.

The Possibility of Coherent Access

As data demands continue to grow, direct detect optical technology used in prior PON standards will not be enough. The roadmap for this update remains a bit blurry, with different carriers taking different paths. For example, future expansions might require using 25G or 50G transceivers in the cable network, but the required number of channels in the fiber might not be enough for the conventional optical band (the C-band). Such a capacity expansion would therefore require using other bands (such as the O-band), which comes with additional challenges. An expansion to other optical bands would require changes in other optical networking equipment, such as multiplexers and filters, which increases the cost of the upgrade.

An alternative solution could be upgrading instead to coherent 100G technology. An upgrade to 100G could provide the necessary capacity in cable networks while remaining in the C-band and avoiding using other optical bands. This path has also been facilitated by the decreasing costs of coherent transceivers, which are becoming more integrated, sustainable, and affordable. You can read more about this subject in one of our previous articles.

For example, the renowned non-profit R&D center CableLabs announced a project to develop a symmetric 100G Coherent PON (C-PON). According to CableLabs, the scenarios for a C-PON are many: aggregation of 10G PON and DOCSIS 4.0 links, transport for macro-cell sites in some 5G network configurations, fiber-to-the-building (FTTB), long-reach rural scenarios, and high-density urban networks.

CableLabs anticipates C-PON and its 100G capabilities to play a significant role in the future of access networks, starting with data aggregation on networks that implement a distributed access architecture (DAA) like Remote PH. You can learn more about these networks here.

Combining Affordable Designs with Affordable Manufacturing

The main challenge of C-PON is the higher cost of coherent modulation and detection. Coherent technology requires more complex and expensive optics and digital signal processors (DSPs). Plenty of research is happening on simplifying these coherent designs for access networks. However, a first step towards making these optics more accessible is the 100ZR standard.

100ZR is currently a term for a short-reach (~80 km) coherent 100Gbps transceiver in a QSFP pluggable size. Targeted at the metro edge and enterprise applications that do not require 400ZR solutions, 100ZR provides a lower-cost, lower-power pluggable that also benefits from compatibility with the large installed base of 50 GHz and legacy 100 GHz multiplexer systems.

Another way to reduce the cost of PON technology is through the economics of scale, manufacturing pluggable transceiver devices at a high volume to drive down the cost per device. And with greater photonic integration, even more, devices can be produced on a single wafer. This economy-of-scale principle is the same behind electronics manufacturing, which must be applied to photonics.

Researchers at the Technical University of Eindhoven and the JePPIX consortium have modeled how this economy of scale principle would apply to photonics. If production volumes can increase from a few thousand chips per year to a few million, the price per optical chip can decrease from thousands of Euros to tens of Euros. This must be the goal of the optical transceiver industry.

Takeaways

Integrated photonics and volume manufacturing will be vital for developing future passive optical networks. PONs will use more WDM-PON solutions for increased capacity, secure channels, and easier management through self-tuning algorithms.

Meanwhile, PONs are also moving into incorporating coherent technology. These coherent transceivers have been traditionally too expensive for end-user modems. Fortunately, more affordable coherent transceiver designs and standards manufactured at larger volumes can change this situation and decrease the cost per device.

Tags: 100G, 5G, 6G, access, access networks, aggregation, backhaul, capacity, coherent, DWDM, fronthaul, Integrated Photonics, LightCounting, live events, metro, midhaul, mobile, mobile access, mobile networks, network, optical networking, optical technology, photonic integrated chip, photonic integration, Photonics, PIC, PON, programmable photonic system-on-chip, solutions, technology, VR, WDM

Optical fiber and dense wavelength division multiplex (DWDM) technology are moving towards the edges of networks. In the case of new 5G networks, operators will need more fiber capacity to interconnect the increased density of cell sites, often requiring replacing legacy time-division multiplexing transmission with higher-capacity DWDM links. In the case of cable and other fixed access networks, new distributed access architectures like Remote PHY free up ports in cable operator headends to serve more bandwidth to more customers.

A report by Deloitte summarizes the reasons to expand the reach and capacity of optical access networks: “Extending fiber deeper into communities is  a critical economic driver, promoting competition, increasing connectivity for the rural and underserved, and supporting densification for wireless.”

To achieve such a deep fiber deployment, operators look to DWDM solutions to expand their fiber capacity without the expensive laying of new fiber. DWDM technology has become more affordable than ever due to the availability of low-cost filters and SFP transceiver modules with greater photonic integration and manufacturing volumes. Furthermore, self-tuning technology has made the installation and maintenance of transceivers easier and more affordable.

Despite the advantages of DWDM solutions, their price still causes operators to second-guess whether the upgrade is worth it. For example, mobile fronthaul applications don’t require all 40, 80, or 100 channels of many existing tunable modules. Fortunately, operators can now choose between narrow- or full-band tunable solutions that offer a greater variety of wavelength channels to fit different budgets and network requirements.

Example: Fullband Tunables in Cable Networks

Let’s look at what happens when a fixed access network needs to migrate to a distributed access architecture like Remote PHY.

A provider has a legacy access network with eight optical nodes, and each node services 500 customers. To give higher bandwidth capacity to these 500 customers, the provider wants to split each node into ten new nodes for fifty customers. Thus, the provider goes from having eight to eighty nodes. Each node requires the provider to assign a new DWDM channel, occupying more and more of the optical C-band. This network upgrade is an example that requires a fullband tunable module with coverage across the entire C-band to provide many DWDM channels with narrow (50 GHz) grid spacing.

Furthermore, using a fullband tunable module means that a single part number can handle all the necessary wavelengths for the network. In the past, network operators used fixed wavelength DWDM modules that must go into specific ports. For example, an SFP+ module with a C16 wavelength could only work with the C16 wavelength port of a DWDM multiplexer. However, tunable SFP+ modules can connect to any port of a DWDM multiplexer. This advantage means technicians no longer have to navigate a confusing sea of fixed modules with specific wavelengths; a single tunable module and part number will do the job.

Overall, fullband tunable modules will fit applications that need a large number of wavelength channels to maximize the capacity of fiber infrastructure. Metro transport or data center interconnects (DCIs) are good examples of applications with such requirements.

Example: Narrowband Tunables in Mobile Fronthaul

The transition to 5G and beyond will require a significant restructuring of mobile network architecture. 5G networks will use higher frequency bands, which require more cell sites and antennas to cover the same geographical areas as 4G. Existing antennas must upgrade to denser antenna arrays. These requirements will put more pressure on the existing fiber infrastructure, and mobile network operators are expected to deliver their 5G promises with relatively little expansion in their fiber infrastructure.

DWDM solutions will be vital for mobile network operators to scale capacity without laying new fiber. However, operators often regard traditional fullband tunable modules as expensive for this application. Mobile fronthaul links don’t need anything close to the 40 or 80 DWDM channels of a fullband transceiver. It’s like having a cable subscription where you only watch 10 out of the 80 TV channels.

This issue led EFFECT Photonics to develop narrowband tunable modules with just nine channels. They offer a more affordable and moderate capacity expansion that better fits the needs of mobile fronthaul networks. These networks often feature nodes that aggregate two or three different cell sites, each with three antenna arrays (each antenna provides 120° coverage at the tower) with their unique wavelength channel. Therefore, these aggregation points often need six or nine different wavelength channels, but not the entire 80-100 channels of a typical fullband module.

With the narrowband tunable option, operators can reduce their part number inventory compared to grey transceivers while avoiding the cost of a fullband transceiver.

Synergizing with Self-Tuning Algorithms

The number of channels in a tunable module (up to 100 in the case of EFFECT Photonics fullband modules) can quickly become overwhelming for technicians in the field. There will be more records to examine, more programming for tuning equipment, more trucks to load with tuning equipment, and more verifications to do in the field. These tasks can take a couple of hours just for a single node. If there are hundreds of nodes to install or repair, the required hours of labor will quickly rack up into the thousands and the associated costs into hundreds of thousands.

Self-tuning allows technicians to treat DWDM tunable modules the same way they treat grey transceivers. There is no need for additional training for technicians to install the tunable module. There is no need to program tuning equipment or obsessively check the wavelength records and tables to avoid deployment errors on the field. Technicians only need to follow the typical cleaning and handling procedures, plug the transceiver, and the device will automatically scan and find the correct wavelength once plugged. This feature can save providers thousands of person-hours in their network installation and maintenance and reduce the probability of human errors, effectively reducing capital and operational expenditures.

Self-tuning algorithms make installing and maintaining narrowband and fullband tunable modules more straightforward and affordable for network deployment.

Takeaways

Fullband self-tuning modules will allow providers to deploy extensive fiber capacity upgrades more quickly than ever. However, in use cases such as mobile access networks where operators don’t need a wide array of DWDM channels, they can opt for narrowband solutions that are more affordable than their fullband alternatives. By combining fullband and narrowband solutions with self-tuning algorithms, operators can expand their networks in the most affordable and accessible ways for their budget and network requirements.

Tags: 100G, 5G, 6G, access, access networks, aggregation, backhaul, capacity, coherent, DWDM, fronthaul, Integrated Photonics, LightCounting, live events, metro, midhaul, mobile, mobile access, mobile networks, network, optical networking, optical technology, photonic integrated chip, photonic integration, Photonics, PIC, PON, programmable photonic system-on-chip, solutions, technology, VR, WDM

Everyone who has attended a major venue or event, such as a football stadium or concert, knows the pains of getting good Internet access in such a packed venue. There are too many people and not enough bandwidth. Many initial use cases for 5G have been restricted to achieving much higher speeds, allowing users to enjoy seamless connectivity for live gaming, video conferencing, and live broadcasting. Within a few years, consumers will demand more immersive experiences to enjoy sporting events, concerts, and movies. These experiences will include virtual and augmented reality and improved payment methods. These experiences will hopefully lead to a win-win scenario: the end user can improve their experiences at the venue, while the telecom service provider can increase their average income per user. Delivering this higher capacity and immersive experiences for live events is a challenge for telecom providers, as they struggle to scale up their networks cost-effectively for these one-off events or huge venues. Fortunately, 5G technology makes scaling up for these events easier thanks to the greater density of cell sites and the increased capacity of optical transport networks.

A Higher Bandwidth Experience

One of the biggest athletic events in the world, the Super Bowl, draws 60 to 100 thousand spectators to an American stadium once a year. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people of out-of-towners will visit the Superbowl host city to support their teams. The amount of data transported inside the Atlanta stadium for the 2019 Superbowl alone reached a record 24 terabytes. The half-time show caused a 13.06 Gbps surge in data traffic on the network from more than 30,000 mobile devices. This massive traffic surge in mobile networks can even hamper the ability of security officers and first responders (i.e., law enforcement and medical workers) to react swiftly to crises.

Fortunately, 5G networks are designed to handle more connections than previous generations. They use higher frequency bands for increased bandwidth and a higher density of antennas and cell sites to provide more coverage. This infrastructure enables reliable data speeds of up to 10 Gbps per device and more channels that enable a stable and prioritized connection for critical medical and security services. Carriers are investing heavily in 5G infrastructure around sports stadiums and other public events to improve the safety and security of visitors. For example, Sprint updated its cell towers with Massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology ahead of the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta. Meanwhile, AT&T implemented the first standards-based mobile 5G network in Atlanta with a $43 million network upgrade. In addition to providing first responders with a quick, dependable communication network for other large events, this helps handle enormous traffic during live events like the Super Bowl.

New Ways of Interaction

5G technology and its increased bandwidth capacity will promote new ways for live audiences to interact with these events. Joris Evers, Chief Communication Officer of La Liga, Spain’s top men’s football league, explains a potential application: “Inside a stadium, you could foresee 5G giving fans more capacities on a portable device to check game stats and replays in near real-time.”  The gigabit speeds of 5G can replace the traditional jumbotrons and screens and allow spectators to replay games instantly from their cellphones. Venues are also investigating how 5G and AI might lessen lengthy queues at kiosks for events with tens of thousands of visitors. At all Major League Baseball stadiums, American food service company Aramark deployed AI-driven self-service checkout kiosks. Aramark reports that these kiosks have resulted in a 40% increase in transaction speed and a 25% increase in revenue.

Almost all live events have limited seats available, and ticket prices reflect demand, seating preferences, and supply. However, 5G might allow an endless number of virtual seats. Regarding the potential of 5G for sports, Evers notes that “away from the stadium, 5G may enable VR experiences to happen in a more live fashion.”

Strengthening the Transport Network

This increased bandwidth and new forms of interaction in live events will put more pressure on the existing fiber transport infrastructure. Mobile network operators are expected to deliver their 5G promises while avoiding costly expansions of their fiber infrastructure. The initial rollout of 5G has already happened in most developed countries, with operators upgrading their optical transceivers to 10G SFP+ and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Mobile networks must now move to the next phase of 5G deployments, exponentially increasing the number of devices connected to the network.

The roadmap for this update remains a bit blurry, with different carriers taking different paths. For example, South Korea’s service providers decided to future-proof their fiber infrastructure and invested in 10G and 25G WDM technology since the early stages of their 5G rollout. Carriers in Europe and the Americas have followed a different path, upgrading only to 10G in the early phase while thinking about the next step.

Some carriers might do a straightforward upgrade to 25G, but others are already thinking about future-proofing their networks ahead of a 6G standard. For example, future expansions might require using 25G or 50G transceivers in their networks, but the required number of channels in the fiber might not be enough for the conventional optical band (the C-band). Such a capacity expansion would therefore require using other bands (such as the O-band), which comes with additional challenges. An expansion to other optical bands would require changes in other optical networking equipment, such as multiplexers and filters, which increases the cost of the upgrade. An alternative solution could be upgrading instead from 10G to coherent 100G technology. An upgrade to 100G could provide the necessary capacity in transport networks while remaining in the C-band and avoiding using other optical bands. This path has also been facilitated by the decreasing costs of coherent transceivers, which are becoming more integrated, sustainable, and affordable. You can read more about this subject in one of our previous articles. By deploying these higher-capacity links and DWDM solutions, providers will scale up their transport networks to enable these new services for live events.

Takeaways

Thanks to 5G technology, network providers can provide more than just higher bandwidth for live events and venues; they will also enable new possibilities in live events. For example, audiences can instantly replay what is happening in a football match or use VR to attend a match or concert virtually. This progress in how end users interact with live events must also be backed up by the transport network. The discussions of how to upgrade the transport network are still ongoing and imply that coherent technology could play a significant role in this upgrade. Tags: 100G, 5G, 6G, access, access networks, aggregation, backhaul, capacity, coherent, DWDM, fronthaul, Integrated Photonics, LightCounting, live events, metro, midhaul, mobile, mobile access, mobile networks, network, optical networking, optical technology, photonic integrated chip, photonic integration, Photonics, PIC, PON, programmable photonic system-on-chip, solutions, technology, VR, WDM