ATM-based optical access network toward multimedia era

This paper proposes an ATM-PON based optical access network architecture and relevant transmission technologies for providing multiple services. The motivation of this network is to realize a service platform and to provide multimedia services as well as POTS and ISDN to both businesses and homes. This paper also describes how the PON architecture will contribute to greater network economy, a smooth evolution from the narrow-band optical access network, and downsizing of the optical network unit (ONU). It also shows the configuration, system parameters, features of the system, hardware, and the experimental results. This ATM-PON system is actually working as a service platform for VOD experiments in our laboratory; more than ten types of servers and settop devices are currently connected. This system is to be used for multimedia experiments in a field environment.