Novel next generation access network architecture with optical/wireless convergence

Today’s access network is migrating towards broadband IP, fixed/mobile convergence and service convergence. Thus, the next generation access network (NGAN) requires a converged optical/wireless access network infrastructure, other than the existing architecture that connect to the cellular, broadband wireless, and optical access networks separately, which complicate the network and increase the capital and operational expenditures (CapEx and OpEx). We have proposed a novel NGAN architecture with optical/wireless integrated edge node that elevates the connected heterogeneous access network functionalities up to the edge node [1]. In this paper, we further investigate the network and the edge node architecture and propose possible processing/operations that can decrease CapEx and OpEx to make it an attractive candidate for NGAN. In addition, we analyze the migration solution from current access network to the proposed converged network.