Title: Analytical and experimental study on Ethernet passive optical networks: challenges and solutions

Authors: Xiaofeng Bai, Abdallah Shami, Yinghua Ye, Chadi M. Assi, Ahmad N. Khalil

Addresses: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A-5B8, Canada. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A-5B8, Canada. ' Nokia Siemens Networks, 313 Fairchild Dr., Mountain View, CA 94040, USA. ' Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, CIISE, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada. ' LaGuardia College/CUNY, Department of Mathematics, 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA

Abstract: Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs) have emerged as a promising solution for the next generation access networks. As this technology matures, intensive research work is under way to enhance its functional capability and economic viability. In this work we review some existing MAC control protocols designed for EPON system. Then we study on the performance characteristic of an EPON model with both analytical and experimental approaches. By investigating the temporal relationship of multiple events successively occurring in the system, a graphical presentation is developed to facilitate more quantitative analysis. Based on classical queuing theory, we derive closed-form expression for the average packet queuing delay and average queue length of the researched EPON model. Simulation experiments show that the derived analytical expression can precisely evaluate the network performance for memoryless traffic inputs, as well as to closely estimate the performance of lightly loaded network for bursty traffic profiles.

Keywords: Ethernet passive optical networks; EPON; media access control; resource allocation; modelling; analysis; simulation; performance evaluation; packet queuing delay; queue length; network performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCNDS.2009.022329

International Journal of Communication Networks and Distributed Systems, 2009 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.138 - 159

Published online: 01 Jan 2009 *

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