Topology Modeling and Field Comparison Over a PON Based FTTH Deployment

Chieh-Mei Hsiao, Huei-jen Chen, Ting-Chung Chang, Yaw-Tzong Horng, Daw-Ming Fan, Hsi-Pai Hsu, Y.-c. Lin, Rong-Syh Lin
Network Operation Tech. Lab.,Telecommunication Labs. Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C +001-886-3-424-5750 hcm_iris@cht.com.tw

Abstract
In this study, one stage LCP structure with various splitter locations was conceptualized into 4 types of PON-ODN models to explore the best practice in constructing a PON based FTTH networks. The models were analyzed to justify their feasibility in according to the utilization of feeders, distributes cables and, most important, the splitters employment in which the associated cabinets or closures that relate to the customer coverage. Simulation calculation which is also verified by the field trials shows that Type 2 & 4 appear more appropriate for Telecos to implement their PON-ODN optical plants while Type 1 shows the simplest topology with good maintenance and easy operation but consuming most of the resources that basically is beyond consideration.

consists of two splitting points with one in central office and the other in somewhere near the subscriber, or with both splits in the fields that termed as a distributing splitting. The location of a splitter also is considered as the initiation point of a fiber route. It serves as service converting point and is critical to the optical plant planning in terms of fiber routes planning, fiber counts designs, and the utilization rate over OLT line ports and splitter connecting ports.

1:8 1:32 1:4

Keywords:

Passive Optical Network (PON); Optical Distributing Network(ODN); Local convergence Point (LCP); Optical Line Terminal (OLT); PON utilization.

Central switch homerun 1:4 1:32 Local convergence point : Splitter

1. Introduction
There is no doubt that fiber to the home is the eternity solution for Telecos to provide the broadband services. However, to achieve such a goal by implementing the FTTH requires the justification of the rewards over the vast investment caused by the necessary to build the infrastructures and establish the flourish contents. It also faces those of uncertainties that yet to be resolved such as the optimal providing bandwidth (30, 50 Mbps or 100Mbps) and the best of network infrastructure that shall be easy constructed and maintained. Passive Optical Network (PON) is considered one of the best solutions in terms of its relative flexible design and passive nature. Yet its optical distributing network (ODN) topology, mainly the locations where the optical splitters residing, remains to be the key issue that need to resolve since the design will affect the quantity, length, and deployments of optical cables. Consequently, it will determine the service provision efficiency, and sometimes becomes an intrinsic factor that causes problems in post-construction tests and maintenances. In this study, various splitter locations were modeled to explore what the best PON-ODN topology design is. The modeling results were also compared with a suburban-FTTH deploying case to further verify the design methodology.

1:8

Distributed splitting

Figure 1: The splitting structures of single splitting (one-stage) and double splitting (two-stage)

2.1 Models of PON-ODN

As an ILEC carrier with well-established legacy copper plants, it is by nature using the existing copper-distribution conduits and pathways to build the future fiber plants. Four types of PON-based optical distribution networks (ODN) are perceived to configure based on the copper plant structure. Type 1 (shown in Fig.2) is defined as a one stage splitting and structured as a central homerun with the splitter locating inside the central office. It requires straight connecting of fibers to each every FTTH subscriber. As a result, tremendous counts of fibers that account for the feeder, distribute, and drop cables are expected to consume. So does the conduit space. Type 2 (shown in Fig 3) is also structured as a one stage splitting. Instead of placing the splitters inside the central office, the splitters for Type 2 are located in a large cabinet as the splitter hub which serves a fixed area covering 1600 subscribers and is taking account as the deployment unit. In contrast to Type 1, Type 2 configuration gives the advantage by saving the fibers that account for the feeder cables. However, it also may create new conduit bottle-neck problems due to several

2. PON-ODN topology
Passive Optical Network (PON) basically is configured either as a single splitting or a double splitting. As shown in Fig.1, single splitting can be split in a central office followed by a spread of fibers all over and toward the subscribers such as a central switch run or is split in the Local Convergence Point(LCP) where is near the subscribers. Double splitting

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high counts of distributing cables will issue concurrently from the splitter hub cabinet. Type 3 (shown in Fig.4) is defined as a way that similar to type 2 but is housing the splitter in a smaller and deeper-deployed cabinet that serves a fixed area only covering 400 subscribers. Such a configuration is exactly mimicking our existing copper serving area footprints. It can be benefited by taking the advantage of transforming existing copper infrastructure into fiber facilities. For example, the copper crossconnecting cabinet can be reconfigured to house both coppercross-connect distributing and fiber splitting hubs. Although Type 2 and Type 3 appear superior to Type 1 in terms of the fiber deploying practice, both types still require building the cabinets on the ground in public areas that usually is against the city government policy. As a result, Type 4 (shown in Fig.5) is modeled by placing the splitters inside the closures which usually locate in manholes or handholes near the neighborhood and serve as the local convergence point that provides a coverage over 100 subscribers. Type 4 has the advantage of all-underground deployed practice that avoids the city government regulation. Its deeper topology design also will lower the fiber counts of feeder and distribute cables. However, the near customer splitting will become more localized with the possibility of low utilization rate due to the less subscription at initial stage.

Table 1. Numbers of cabinets or closures required for different PON-ODN models

CO covering subscribers numbers: 20800 Model of PONODN Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Outside plant equipment variety counts Coverage of subscribers per unit 20800 1600 400 100

(OLDF in central office) Large cabinet Small cabinet Optical cable closure 13 52 208

450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

splitter - Central office splitters - 1600 subscribers splitters - 400 subscribers splitter - 100 subscribers

2.2 Calculation and comparison of the numbers of equipments required among 4 modeling PONODNs
In order to understand the effects of PON-based ODN models on the impact of deployment practice, a detail calculation analysis is derived to compare the difference of requirements on feeder cables, equipments and PON utilization among the four types models described on previous section (Section 2.1). The simulation is taking into account in a central office serving area covering 20800 subscribers and all feeder, distribute cables shall be installed sufficiently to meet the capability to achieve the service activation within 7-10 days whenever a customer inquiry is issued. The service activation includes the premise drop cables extending, fiber termination, ONT configuration, and all the related service-provision process. Also, it is assumed that the customer allocation is in its worst case which means every fiber serving route shall expect incoming FTTH service inquiry. Table 1 shows the numbers of cabinets or closures required to build up the ODN plant for those 4 models. Splitters in Type 1 are positioned in the OLDF inside the central office. Fig. 6 and Table 2 shows the numbers of splitters required versus the corresponding subscribers take rate. All four models show a progressive increase for the equipments required as the take rate goes up. Fig 6 also shows the needed amounts of splitters at each take rate for Type 1 and 2 are virtually identical. Type 3 shows a little deviation when compared to Type 1, 2 and is considered as falling into the same range that Type 1 and 2 covers. Type 4 shows a stage jump style with an initial required amount substantially higher than that of the other 3 models. Fig 6 also indicates those take rates that below 30% are all required to install the same amount of splitters for Type 4 due to the small coverage that the closure intends to envelop. It is also worth to notice that each splitter is corresponding to each OLT line port. The more the splitter required means the more the OLT required. As a result, small splitting area coverage will push up the initial cost and result in low PONutilization rate at low take rates (as showing in Fig. 7).

0%

10%

20%

Take rate ( % )

30%

40%

50%

Figure 6: Effect of amounts of splitters over the take rate Table 2. Numbers of splitters required at each corresponding take rate for different PON-ODN models
CO covering subscribers numbers: 20800 Take rate FTTH subscribers Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Take rate FTTH subscribers Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 2% 416 4% 832 6% 1248 8% 1664 10% 2080 15% 3120

Numbers of splitters required to install

13 13 52 208
20% 4160

26 26 52 208
25% 5200

39 39 52 208
30% 6240

52 52 52 208
35% 7280

65 65 104 208
40% 8320

98 104 104 208

45% 9360

Numbers of splitters required to install

130 130 156 208

163 169 208 208

195 195 208 208

228 234 260 416

260 260 260 416

293 299 312 416

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400 Subscribers

..
1 fiber 4 fibers 4 fibers 4 fibers
Trunk cable

CO

4 fibers

..
Figure 2: model for splitters located in central office (Type 1)

1600 Subscribers 400 Subscribers

drop cable

..
Trunk cable 1:32

CO

16 fibers

..

distributed cable

Figure 3: model for splitters located in large cabinet (Type 2)

400 Subscribers

..

1:32 1:32 splitter

CO
1 fibers
Trunk cable

1 fibers

..
1:32

1:32

Figure 4: model for splitters located in small cabinet ( Type 3 )

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100 Subscribers
1:32 1:32

..
1:32

1:32

CO
4 fibers
Trunk cable

4 fibers

1:32

..

1:32

Figure 5: model for splitters located in closure (Type 4)

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% splitter in CO LCP for 1600 subscribers LCP for 400 subscribers LCP for 100 subscribers

Table 3. Numbers of fibers required in feeder cable at each corresponding take rate for different PON-ODN models
CO covering subscribers numbers: 20800 Take rate FTTH subscribers Type 1
50%

PON utilization (%)

2% 416

4% 832

6% 1248

8% 1664

10% 2080

15% 3120

Numbers of fibers required in feeder cable 416 13 52 208 832 26 52 208 1248 39 52 208 1664 52 52 208 2080 65 104 208 3120 104 104 208 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4

0% 0%

10%

20% 30% Take rate ( % )

40%

Figure 7: Effect of PON utilization over the take rate Table 3 and Fig. 8 show the number of fibers required in feeder cable calculated among those 4 types of models. Type 1 shows a particularly steeper increase that is corresponding to the numbers of subscribers since Type 1 is central homerun deployed and one fiber is needed for one subscriber. In contrast to type 1, the rest types show relatively small amount of fibers required in feeder cables. Although fibers and cables are quite economic today, Type 1 deployment still encounters highly difficulty and is rarely adopted by Telecos due to bulky and numerous feeder cables will take over most outside plant spaces and conduits which actually account for most of the cost and require tremendous efforts to build. Alternatively, though the other three types appear to be more practical to adopt, it still require to take those factors such as geology, customer distribution, existing infrastructure, and governmental regulation etc. into account before implementing the right model into actual deployment practice.

CO covering subscribers numbers: 20800 Take rate FTTH subscribers Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 20% 4160 25% 5200 30% 6240 35% 7280 40% 8320 45% 9360

Numbers of fibers required in feeder cable 4160 130 156 208 5200 169 208 208 6240 195 208 208 7280 234 260 416 8320 260 260 416 9360 299 312 416

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10000 9000 amounts of 1 X 32 splitters 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

splitter - Central office splitters - 1600 subscribers splitters - 400 subscribers splitter - 100 subscribers

Fre eh igh way

0m 53

720m
0% 10% 20%

Take rate ( % )

30%

40%

50%

Figure 10. Area of a FTTH demo site

Figure 8: Effect of amount of feeder cables over the take rates

3.2 FTTH Field planning and construction

As shown in Fig. 11, one stage local conversion point is used in planning the FTTH deployment and Type 2 model is adopted for the upper zone to diagram the cables deployment such as in Fig. 12. It was practiced by deploying a large cabinet near the center of this subzone. The cabinet is designated as the local conversion point in which 1 X 32 splitters are enclosed and four single slot 4fibers ribbon type distribute cables that each contains 100 fibers are also deployed from herein. The distribute cables are more or less capable of reaching every subscriber premises by terminating at their nearby handholes or box-like facilities. Excessive lengths of cables are preserved and ready for further connecting to drop cables that shall be extended to subscribers whenever the service order is issued. As shown in Fig. 13, the lower zone that below the highway was configured according to the Type 4 model. It was practiced by selecting those handholes that each is able to cover 100 subscribers and serves as the local conversion point where the closures with 1 X 32 splitters were installed. In this case, it requires delicately planning of cables with sufficient numbers of fibers to connect with the closure in order to provide further connection of drop cables without any additional worry in the future. Especially, it will response promptly for the activation of FTTH service whenever the order is issued. Comparing Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, it is clearly showing differences of cables distributing morphology, design strategy between two subzones even that they are only divided by a highway.

3. Suburban-FTTH Field deploying trial

3.1 FTTH demo site
A suburban area that locates in the northeastern side of Taipei City in Taiwan (Fig. 9) was chosen to undergo a FTTH field implementation trial which is part of a FTTH demonstration project. Majority of buildings within the service area are high-rise office buildings that provide exclusive telecommunication room, and business buildings but partially for residential in which telecommunication room may or may not included. Also, multidwell building such as apartments and condominiums contribute to most of the residential buildings in which only box-like facilities are available for telecommunication entrance usage. Fig. 10 shows the trial zone area which is divided into 2 subzones by a highway. The area above the high way is named as upper zone while the one below the highway is called lower zone. Subscribers inside the trial zone may reside as close as 900 meters to the central office and may be far away up to a distance of 3 km.

Hinet

Central Office
BRAS

ODN

Subscribers

CO
2.6km

MOD Network
1000BASE-T

PC

Splitter 1:32

ODN-IONU 1

10/100M4 STB

TV

ONU
IP PHONE 32

m 0.9k

L3SW HPER

L2SW

OLT

Large cabinet

Suburban-FTTH deploying

Free highway
NGN Network
ODN-IOLT

PC

splitter 1:32

ODN-IONU 1

10/100M4 STB

TV

ONU
IP PHONE 32

Handhole

Closure

Figure 9: Location of a FTTH demo site

Figure11: FTTH Topology

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Large cabinet

76

Distributed cable

As indicated by the simulation analysis, the deployment reflects the truth that initial cost is higher for lower subzone (Type 4) than that of upper subzone (Type 2). When the subscription is less than 32, the upper zone needs only placing one splitter inside the cabinet, and it only consumes one feeder fiber that connect with one port over the OLT. Nonetheless, in the same situation, lower zone requires 4 closures, and each encloses one splitters. As a result, total four splitters will consume four feeder fibers as well as four OLT ports.

4. Conclusions
In this study, one stage LCP structure with various splitter locations was conceptualized into 4 different PON-ODN models to explore the best practice in constructing a PON passive infrastructure. The models were analyzed in according to the consumptions of feeders, distributes cables and the splitters, in which the associated cabinets or closures and the customer coverage strategy are related. It is clearly indicated by the model simulation and verified by the field trials that Type 2 & 4 appear to be more practical for Telecos to implement their PON-ODN optical plants. Type 1 shows the simplest topology with good maintenance and easy operation but is required most of the resources that basically is beyond consideration. Type 2 and Type 4 offer proper balances between cost and performance. They are also considered as the smoothest way since the building pace is able to adjust according to the incoming take rates. However, regardless the pros or cons, the constructions of any type of ODNs all require to act years long before the service can be delivered upon ordering. As a result, carefully analysis of market demands in accompanied with proper planning of ODN, and with right solutions to overcome premises cabling issues shall help the Telecos on their ways to achieve FTTH employments and operate continuously.

21

Figure12: FTTH Type 2 ( splitter in large cabinet)

Handhole (Closure with splitter )

7 6

5. Authors
Chieh-Mei Hsiao

Hcm_iris@cht.com.tw
She jointed T.L in 1981 and presently worked as a research scientist and a member of network operation laboratory in T.L.

Figure13. FTTH Type 4 ( splitter in closure)

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