Cost analysis of powering an optical customer access network

Optical fiber in the customer access network (CAN) is being tested by the Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (AOTC). The costs for different powering options and optical CAN architectures are discussed. Both fiber-to-the-customer's-premise (FTTCP) and fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) architectures are considered. Powering options include local and node powering. A limiting case of node powering occurs when the powering node is in the local telephone exchange. Costs for these various powering options are determined, and an optimum configuration for each option is found. Peak power demands are established based on traffic statistics and power requirements for on-hook, off-hook and ringing conditions. Spreadsheet techniques are used to calculate the cost for each cost component and to search for the optimal configuration.<>