Key technologies for evolving optical access networks

FTTH based on Gigabit Ether Passive Optical Networks(G-EPONs) has been spreading steadily in Japan. The focus of the near term developments in optical access technology will shift to support the migration from working PON systems to next generation access (NGA) systems. New technologies for 10 Gbit/s TDM access and WDM access are being extensively investigated to realize higher capacity and/or new services cost effectively on the existing PON fiber infrastructure while customers continue to receive legacy services. This paper describes the key technologies being investigated for such future optical access systems that can be installed seamlessly over working PONs.