The superPON demonstrator: an exploration of possible evolution paths for optical access networks

An optical broadband access network called APON (ATM-based Passive Optical Network) has been standardized and its commercial deployment started. This article discusses possible evolution scenarios for the APON system with respect to bit rate, range, and splitting factor, leading to the SuperPON concept. Technical challenges encountered during the realization of the SuperPON demonstrator within the European ACTS project PLANET are discussed in detail. In addition, to illustrate when these technologies will become commercially viable, the major results of an economic-feasibility study are presented. Finally, the SuperPON integration in the pan-European trial of the ACTS PELICAN project is described.