ACCORDANCE: A novel OFDMA-PON paradigm for ultra-high capacity converged wireline-wireless access networks

This paper presents ACCORDANCE, a novel ultra-high capacity extended reach optical access network architecture based on OFDMA technology/protocols, implemented through the proper mix of state-of-the-art photonics and electronics. Such architecture is not only intended to offer improved performance compared to evolving TDMA-PON solutions but also provide the opportunity for convergence between optical, radio and copper-based access. Although OFDM has been used in radio and copper-based communications, it is only recently that is making its way into optics and is expected to increase the system reach and transmission rates without increasing the required cost/complexity of optoelectronic components. ACCORDANCE hence aims to realize the concept of introducing OFDMA-based technology and protocols (Physical and MAC layer) to provide a variety of desirable characteristics, such as increased aggregate bandwidth and scalability, enhanced resource allocation flexibility, longer reach, lower equipment cost/complexity and lower power consumption, while also supporting multi-wavelength operation. In addition, it enables the convergence of the optical infrastructure with standard wireless solutions, thus offering a way to integrate dominant wired and wireless technologies in a hybrid access network supporting seamless ubiquitous broadband services.