Quasi-passive optical infrastructure for future 5G wireless networks: pros and cons

In this paper, we study the applicability of the quasi-passive reconfigurable (QPAR) device, a special type of quasi-passive wavelength-selective switch with flexible power allocation properties and no power consumption in the steady state, to implement the concept of reconfigurable backhaul for 5G wireless networks. We first discuss the functionality of the QPAR node and its discrete component implementation, scalability, and performance. We present a novel multi-input QPAR structure and the pseudo-passive reconfigurable (PPAR) node, a device with the functionality of QPAR but that is pseudo-passive during steady-state operations. We then propose mesh and hierarchical back-haul network architectures for 5G based on the QPAR and PPAR nodes and discuss potential use cases. We compare the performance of a QPAR-based single-node architecture with state-of-the-art devices. We find that a QPAR node in a hierarchical network can reduce the average latency while extending the reach and quality of service of the network. However, due to the high insertion losses of the current QPAR design, some of these benefits are lost in practice. On the other hand, the PPAR node can realize the benefits practically and is the more energy-efficient solution for high reconfiguration frequencies, but the remote optical node will no longer be passive. In this paper, we discuss the potential benefits and issues with utilizing a QPAR in the optical infrastructure for 5G networks.This work has been funded by the Spanish project TIGRE5 CM (grant number S2013/ICE 2919), the EU H2020 5G Crosshaul project (grant number 671598), and the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) funding scheme (project number DE150100924). The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of the Center for Integrated Systems, Stanford University, and Corning Incorporated. for the development of this work

Integrating a next-generation optical access network testbed into a large-scale virtual research testbed

Several experimental research networks have been created in the laboratories of prominent universities and research centres to assess new optical communication technologies. A greater value and research impact can be obtained from these testbeds by making them available to other researchers through research infrastructure federations such as GENI and/or FIRE. This is a challenging task due to the limitations of programmability of resource management and virtualisation software in most experimental optical networks. Fed4FIRE is an EU research project that makes it possible to create complex testbed scenarios that interconnect heterogeneous testbeds distributed physically all over the world. In this paper, we present a practical approach for the federation of a next-generation optical access testbed created at Stanford University called UltraFlow Access. That testbed offers its users both packet-switched and circuit-switched services while remaining compatible with conventional PONs. Our approach facilitates experimentation on the UltraFlow Access testbed in the context of large virtual testbeds using Fed4FIRE protocols.The research of this paper was partially financed by the European Union’s FP7 grant agreement no. 318389 Fed4FIRE Project, the National Science Foundation (grant no. 111174), NSERC, the Spanish projects CRAMnet (grant no. TEC2012-38362-C03- 01) and TIGRE5-CM (grant no. S2013/ICE-2919). The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of the Chair of Excellence of Bank of Santander at UC3M.European Community's Seventh Framework Progra

Multicast service for ultraflow access networks

Optical Flow Switching (OFS) is envisaged as an efficient solution for ultra-broadband end-to-end Internet data transfers. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of providing multicast services over a recently proposed UltraFlow access network that offers two types of access service to its end-users at the same time: IP over GPON and OFS. Our focus is set on the viability of multicast in this dual-mode access concept. This paper studies several application scenarios for multicast UltraFlow access and makes a preliminary assessment of practical feasibility of this service.The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Chair of Excellence of Bank of Santander – UC3M, the National Science Foundation, NSERC and the Spanish projects CRAMnet (grant no. TEC2012-38362-C03-01), and MEDIANET

Next-generation optical access networks: dynamic bandwidth allocation, resource use optimization, and QoS improvements

Rapidly increasing traffic demands of current residential and business applications and newly evolving services require access network solutions that can offer dramatically higher bandwidth. New applications tend to be media-rich such as high-definition television (HDTV), video on demand (VoD), voice over IP (VoIP), and high-speed Internet. Emerging applications include multimedia conferencing, multiplayer online gaming, online content generation, and consumer-oriented cloudcomputing solutions, and are even more demanding and bandwidth-hungry. As a result, future wireline access networks will be faced with the challenge of transporting the ever increasing volume of data-centric traffic with ever tighter timing and quality of service (QoS) requirements. The seven articles in this special issue focus on next generation optical network communications and networking

a1495_1.pdf JWA83.pdf TDM-PON Security Issues: Upstream Encryption is Needed

Abstract: TDM-PONs (E/B/GPON) present several security issues that can easily be exploited by malicious users. We summarize these issues and present experimental results to demonstrate that, in particular, upstream encryption is required to prevent eavesdropping. ©2007 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: (060.2330) Fiber optics communications, (060.4250) Network