A passive-optical network employing upconverted 16-CAP signals

In this letter, we present a subcarrier-multiplexed passive-optical network (SCM-PON) which transmits upconverted 16-CAP signals to the curb. Once these RF channels are down-converted to their original 16-CAP format they are capable of being transmitted over unshielded-twisted-pair copper wires (UTP) to the home. This enables a very inexpensive drop to be made from the ONU to the home. A BER<10/sup -9/ over optical fiber has been achieved. This is the first demonstration of upconverted 16-CAP transmission.