Comparative analysis of protection schemes for fixed mobile converged access networks based on hybrid PON

Optical access networks are evolving in order to increase the bandwidth offered to the end users. However, as the delivered bandwidth grows, the data losses due to failures also rise. Moreover, the importance of uninterrupted network access is also growing, which makes network reliability a crucial problem to address. Furthermore, today´s access network telecom arena has become very competitive, which forces network operators to reduce costs in order to gain some benefits. Cost reduction in access networks has been shown to be possible by node consolidation and fixed mobile convergence, due to the use of a single access network with different types of user and longer reach. This paper proposes four different protection schemes for converged access network architecture, where hybrid passive optical network is deployed to provide high bandwidth to the end users. The comparison is done in three different types of areas (i.e., Dense Urban, Urban and Rural) with respect to various aspects including connection availability, power consumption, required components, additional fiber and failure impact factor.