Customer Edge Downstream Detection for Automatic Restoration Scheme in FTTH-PON Distribution Network

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks are seen as the most future-proof technology to offer increasing bandwidth to customers. By utilizing passive optical network (PON) technology, they provide flexibility and capability to carry higher bandwidths as compared to the legacy copper-based access network. Optical performance monitoring could potentially enable higher stability, reconfigurability, and flexibility in a self-managed optical network. This paper will describe the specific fiber impairments that affect the quality of service for fiber-to-the-home networks. The impairment needs to be monitored and restored. The proposed solution will utilize a photodiode and optical switch as the main components, can easily be integrated with the ONU through the optical interface, and will be referred to as 'PROMO'. With this scheme, the protection and restoration mechanisms are archived through the detection and availability of the downstream signal from the OLT. The results show that the received power, BER values, and maximum Q factor are acceptable for both simulation and experimental conditions in the case of normal and protection conditions.