Personal communications access networks using subcarrier multiplexed optical links

One of the major challenges for future personal communication systems (PCS) and personal communication networks (PCN) is the capacity needed to meet the growing demand. In this paper, fiber optics and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology is proposed, and shown to be a cost-effective solution to this problem. In particular, it is shown that the mature fiber-optics and WDM technology could be used in conjunction with subcarrier multiplexing in microcells in order to transmit messages from subscribers to central base station (uplink) and in the opposite direction too. The access backbone network architecture of such a PCN is also investigated and key problems associated with it are highlighted.