Performance evaluation of photoreceivers in WDM passive optical networks

The telecommunication future is envisioned as a modular ubiquitous network, supporting multitude of communications over a single platform. Optical networks are found the most feasible for this purpose. Network operators need valid solutions to enhance network reach and data carrying capabilities to generate revenues by deploying passive optical networks in the access network segment. This paper evaluates and compares performance gains achieved by using Positive-Intrinsic-Negative (PIN) and Avalanche PhotoDiode (APD) at the Optical Network Unit (ONU) side in a 32 users Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON). Simulation work reveals that performance gains of around 15 km in terms of system reach and up to 5 Gbps in terms of data carrying capacity per user can be attained if APDs are used at the receiver side in downstream direction.