EXPECTATIONS FOR COMPONENT TECHNOLOGIES TOWARD OPTICALIZATION OF ACCESS SYSTEMS

Optical access network systems are considered to be an important infra structure for the emerging multimedia era. While technological innovat ions in optical transmissions systems have revolutionized long-haul co mmunications systems, they have not brought about the opticalization o f access network due to the difference in the cost-sharing structure. Recent progress in systems and component technologies specially turned to the access networks, however, has stimulated research activities. This special issue focuses on component technologies for the field, an d this paper summarizes the current access systems technology and expe ctations for those components from the systems point of view.