The future is all about fiber. Many service providers haven’t faced the issue yet, but it’s apparently common knowledge among vendors. Hitachi Telecom, Scientific Atlanta, Wave7 Optics, and Zhone Technologies all had announcements about passive optical networks (PONs) the week prior to both Cable-Tec Expo and NXTcomm.

SA announced new, compact, high-density optics products in its Prisma II line designed to improve the performance of existing fiber, and plans to unveil at Cable-Tec Expo a new DOCSIS-based passive optical network (D-PON) architecture that will provide an upgrade path for MSOs to stretch fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). 

The new access network products extend the Prisma II analog optics platform while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy Prisma II products . Baseband digital reverse optics in a new small form factor support up to two reverse buses with plans calling for implementation of coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) for versatile, cost-effective video delivery.

The Prisma II XD chassis now accommodates up to 16 optical modules in a 3RU unit that increases density by greater than 30 percent over the existing Prisma II chassis. Prisma II multi-wavelength forward optics offer both improved performance and increased capacity for cable operators through enhanced fiber use in forward path transmissions, especially at longer distances.

SA expects its D-PON architecture will initially be suitable for FTTH service in greenfield developments. Using a 32-way split PON infrastructure, SA said it enables cable operators to create an effective optical budget in both directions.

Wave7 Optics announced that its Trident7 Universal Access Platform now supports GPON standards. Wave7 claims that support makes its Trident7 the only FTTH platform capable of delivering standards-based EPON and GPON.

"GPON is the standard of choice for network operators in certain geographic areas and market segments, whereas others are deploying the EPON standard," said Emmanuel Vella, chief marketing officer for Wave7 Optics.

Zhone Technologies announced a FTTH gateway with remote management and monitoring. Zhone claims its zNID is the only FTTH network gateway to provide advanced Layer 3 intelligence for remote monitoring and traffic prioritization of applications. Service changes or upgrades are managed remotely via a TR-069 Automatic Configuration Server, the same management standard already used for millions of DSL installations worldwide.

In addition to remote management and diagnostics, zNID supports HomePNAv3, for multimedia home networking. zNID dramatically simplifies provisioning by using standard coax cable and ordinary twisted pair phone lines for complete HomePNA coverage with no new wiring.

Zhone Technologies also introduced a GPON optical line terminal (OLT) card designed for use with its Multi-Service Broadband Loop Carrier (BLC). Each GPON line card allows up to 64 subscribers per link using passive optical splitting. The card can be mixed with other services line cards, offering greater flexibility and network optimization.

Zhone announced three customers for its BLC system and zNIDs: Consolidated Communications Holdings, Taylor Telephone Cooperative, and Yadkin Valley Telecom.

Hitachi Telecom also announced a PON deployment. Falcon Broadband will install its AMN1220 gigabit PON (GPON) product to deliver services in Colorado Springs, Colo. and surrounding areas.
 
Falcon Broadband has already trialed the Hitachi GPON solution, and will begin installation immediately. Falcon Broadband will offer services based on GPON technology in phases throughout its coverage area, starting with the Flying Horse community currently being developed.

Hitachi and Falcon Broadband claim theirs will be the first commercial deployment in the United States of GPON by a cable television operator. Verizon is also deploying GPON.