Flexible Access Network Multi-Tenancy Using NFV/SDN in TWDM-PON

Over the past decade, network operators worldwide have regarded passive optical networks (PONs) as a successful access network system and the preferred technology for fiber-to-the-home/building/curb/distribution-point (FTTx) architecture. However, implementing the state-of-the-art PONs requires a high initial capital expenditure (CapEx) to deploy fiber in the field and acquires the necessary active devices. Thus, new architectures need to be developed to share the physical architecture and enable the multi-tenancy capability in a flexible way to satisfy different requirements from the operators and users. This research proposes to integrate the next-generation TWDM-PON with software-defined network (SDN) and the network function virtualization (NFV) to provide highly enhanced form of virtual unbundling of broadband access networks, enabling cost sharing and the dynamics of a competitive landscape. The simulation results show that the proposed architecture and mechanism can provide better performance in multi-tenancy condition, while guaranteeing the quality-of-service requirements in terms of the mean packet delay, jitter, throughput, and packet loss ratio.