Optical Home LAN innovations to meet past, current, and future needs [Invited]

The Optical Home LAN explores fiber-based connectivity solutions for residential environments, building on early concepts like wavelength and packet switching. It emphasizes point-to-point and multipoint topologies, with mature technologies such as G-PON and PtP, supporting high throughput and low latency. These solutions aim to enhance Wi-Fi coverage, performance, and interoperability through standards like Wi-Fi Alliance Easy Mesh and open-source platforms like PRPL. Integration with management protocols and energy efficiency mechanisms ensures scalable, reliable, and future-proof home networks. This approach seeks to deliver Fiber-To-The-Home-like experiences, optimizing in-home connectivity and supporting evolving digital services.