FIBER-TO-THE-HOME BASED ON A PDS ARCHITECTURE

Current strong demands on computer communication services like Interne t access services require economical solutions to provide broadband ca pabilities to access network. Several approaches to broadening the so- called access bottleneck have been proposed and tested: HFC using cabl e modems, ADSL using metallic cables, wireless access, FTTC using VDSL , and fiber-to-the home (FTTH). Among these approaches, an economical FTTH system is the key to realizing the service platform of the multim edia era. We outline the passive double star (PDS)-based FTTH systems and an evolution scenario of FTTH, and update the trends in internatio nal standardization activities. In particular, the requirements and sy stem technologies to provide various multimedia services in addition t o conventional telephone and ISDN services are shown. Various approach es to reducing the access network cost are discussed from system and c omponent technology points of view. Three types of PDS-based FTTH syst em support new and conventional services. (C) 1998 Academic Press.