Modelling and performance evaluation of IoT-enabled WDM-PON access networks under variable traffic loads

The rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) applications in smart cities has led to a significant increase in access network traffic, necessitating scalable and high-capacity communication infrastructures. This paper presents the modelling and performance analysis of an IoT-enabled wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) using OptiSystem. Bursty IoT traffic with data rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gbps per optical network unit (ONU) is transmitted over a multi-wavelength optical access network. The system performance is evaluated in terms of bit error rate (BER), Q -factor, received optical power, and eye diagram characteristics. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed architecture supports reliable IoT data transmission with BER below 10 −9 and Q -factor above 3 for traffic loads up to 15 Gbps. At higher loads, performance degradation is observed due to bandwidth limitations and intersymbol interference, indicating the need for receiver optimization or optical amplification for future high-density IoT deployments.