An optical burst switched access and distribution architecture

Optical burst switching (OBS) provides statistical time multiplexing in the optical domain. A key feature to core networks, it is problematic for access lines. Scarce resources per customer require collision avoidance in the uplink respectively pre-planned scheduling. The just-enough-time (JET) one-way signalling scheme provides neither option. To achieve end-to-end burst switching, solutions for access networks are essential, if costly edge nodes shall be avoided. We show by analytic studies, that, with resource planning, OBS is an option for access.