VDSL transmission over a fiber extended-access network

Feature Issue on Optical Access Networks (OAN) We describe two schemes developed to carry very-high-data-rate DSL (VDSL) signals over a fiber to the cabinet architecture for the upgrade of legacy copper networks. The first technique exploits the subcarrier bandwidth of uncooled semiconductor lasers for the transmission of multiple VDSL signals by using inexpensive interfacing hardware in the optical network unit (ONU). With a hybrid fiber-copper link comprising 100 m of twisted-pair copper cable and as much as 45 km of single-mode fiber, data transmission comparable with that for fiber to the home is achieved. In an extension to this design we demonstrate a system using a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier in a carrierless remote ONU configuration. Such a design might provide wavelength agility in the fiber access network for signal routing or active bandwidth allocation.