Hybrid fiber-wireless network: an optimization framework for survivable deployment

Abstract—Hybrid fiber-wireless (FiWi) networks, which benefit from high bandwidth and ubiquitous access of optical and wireless networks, have been identified as a promising technology candidate for next-generation broadband access. As various component/fiber failures may occur in hybrid FiWi networks, thus affecting huge numbers of end users, survivability has become one of the key important deployment considerations in such networks. This paper focuses on developing optimal network planning strategies to achieve survivable hybrid FiWi networks. In particular, to address the additional cost involved in deploying backup fibers in previously proposed redundancy strategies against distribution fiber failures, we propose the use of wireless routing through the ubiquitous wireless coverage of end users in a hybrid FiWi network. We present an optimization framework to optimally plan and deploy a survivable hybrid FiWi network, where traffic from an affected optical network unit (ONU) can be effectively rerouted to backup ONUs through wireless connections in the event of a distribution fiber failure. However, focusing only on the resilience of a network without considering its cost, and ignoring the resultant capacity, latency, and coverage under normal and protection operating conditions, is impractical. Our proposed framework therefore ensures maximum end-user coverage whilst satisfying survivability, connectivity, delay, and capacity constraints of the network, by optimizing the placement of passive optical splitters, ONUs, and wireless routers in conjunction with fiber and wireless connections. Moreover, we demonstrate the feasibility of our framework in the context of an urban deployment under different deployment scenarios. In particular, our results provide insight into how survivable FiWi networks can be deployed without compromising on the latency, coverage, and capacity requirements of such networks.