Wireless Access Technology in FTTR Next Generation Home Networks: an Overview

Fiber to the Room (FTIR) is an evolution of the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) technology that relies on an in-home passive optical network and WiFi6 access points in each room to deliver Gb/s data rates with consistent and ubiquitous quality of service to residential users. This article examines FTIR scenarios and system design challenges, with a particular emphasis on the wireless access segment. Specifically, we address automatic power control, automatic channel allocation, automatic access scheme selection, seamless roaming, and low-power RF design. Measurements from a testbed implemented in a real home environment are also presented to illustrate the performance and design trade-offs of FTIR technology. We also provide insight into a possible evolution of the current FTTR technology toward a cell-free architecture, where conventional access points are replaced by centrally processed radio units, and discuss the synchronization requirements and changes to the wireless medium access control protocol necessary to implement such an approach.