ZTE Corp. has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first time- and wavelength-division multiplex passive optical network (TWDM-PON) prototype at Broadband World Forum 2012 (BBWF) in Amsterdam.
ZTE also demonstrated how its products could be used to build pay-as-you-grow, flexibly evolving, green broadband networks involving GPON, XG-PON1, NG-PON2, and WDM-PtP (point to point) by TWDM technology. ZTE considers it will be a good idea to deploy an FTTx network using GPON and XGPON1 in the next five years. Overlay other wavelengths by TWDM technology will be a good choice for the higher bandwidth requirements of the future.
In April 2012, the Full Service Access Network (FSAN) Group designated TWDM-PON as the main technology direction for NG-PON2, the next generation of PON technology. ZTE says it started to develop its first TWDM-PON prototype soon after the standards direction was determined.
The central office equipment for the TWDM-PON prototype is the ZXA10 C300, ZTE’s unified access platform, which has been adapted for next-generation PONs. The ZXA10 C300 enables the coexistence and easy upgrade from one standard to another of GPON, XG-PON1, NG-PON2, and WDM-PtP on the same platform. The terminals for the TWDM-PON prototype are colorless optical network units (ONUs) with tunable receiver/ transmitter technology.
“Operators need to be building broadband networks that can evolve flexibly,” said Bei Jinsong, director of ZTE Optical Access Networks. “Taking this approach, current networks that use GPON and XG-PON1 technologies, including FTTP, FTTH, FTTdp, can meet network development requirements for the next 5 to 10 years. Over that period, neither existing XG-PON1 nor the optical network infrastructure needs to be changed. Therefore the XG-PON1 will be deployed inevitably in short coming years”
“By overlaying XG-PONs with new wavelengths, the network can gradually upgrade to the bandwidth of NG-PON2 as needed or enable open access based on wavelength paths,” Bei added. “The concept also supports expanding through WDM-PtP to provide services such as backhaul, fronthaul, business access etc. As a result, it is able to help operators markedly reduce expenditure on network construction and energy consumption, thus effectively protecting their investments.”
ZTE points out that, according to the “Market Share Spreadsheet 2Q12 FTTx, DSL, and CMTS (Units)” report, released by telecoms industry analyst Ovum in August 2012, ZTE ranks No.1 for both overall shipments of central-office PON equipment and market share of ONTs/ONUs (see “Ovum: 2Q12 PON and VDSL2 sales look good”).
