A delay-based provisioning for Ethernet passive optical networks

Abstract

With the mass availability of Ethernet in local area networks (LANs) deployed globally and connecting LANs to metropolitan area networks (MANs) and wide area networks (WANs) via the current transport technologies there is a need to resolve bandwidth gap between access networks and transport networks. One of the proposals to overcome the famous last mile issue is to use a passive optical network (PON) for this networking segment. Varieties of access methods are under development to increase the offered potential transport capacity of passive optical networks (PONs). With the emergence of Ethernet as the convergence layer in access networks, a new breed of PON, namely Ethernet PON (EPON) has evolved. Ethernet passive optical network is one of the potential solutions, offering to solve the bottleneck issue of access networks and adaptability of carrying Ethernet frames from subscriber to service provider. In this study we will review Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPONs) and then we propose a delay-based provisioning algorithm to be able to offer differentiated services and QoS in EPON. Mathematical analysis and simulation results will be presented also.