Enabling Technologies And Innovations For 5g-Oriented Optical Access Networks

In this invited paper, we discuss how optical fibers, the de-facto choice for last-mile connectivity of radio access network equipment, can rise to the challenges of 5G. We start by addressing technologies and trends for point-to-point connectivity, from fully passive to auto-tunable wavelength division multiplexing. Then, we assess niche solutions based on point-to-multipoint optical connectivity and possible scenarios allowing fixed-mobile convergent topologies. Finally, we briefly exploit the potential of abstraction of optical and radio access equipment through software defined networking for intelligent and multi-tenancy ready traffic management compliant with the constraints of mobile interfaces and hosting locations of cloud infrastructures.