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GPON in Telecommunication Network

Conference Paper · November 2010

DOI: 10.1109/ICUMT.2010.5676500 · Source: IEEE Xplore

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 2010 International Congress on Ultra Modern Telecommunications and Control Systems and Workshops (ICUMT)
GPON in Telecommunication Network
Faruk Selmanovic
Terminal devices
BH Telecom d.d. Sarajevo
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
faruk.selmanovic@sst.edu.ba
Abstract— this paper GPO in Telecommunication etwork, will
present GPO in a relation to G etwork, and try to show that
Gigabit Passive Optical etworks are very economical, effective,
and reliable solution for triple play service. Also, the paper shows
GPO as technically and economical sound solution for ext
Generation etwork. It will present details about GPO
applications such as: GPO OU as Uplink, GPO as metro net,
multi-user per one GPO OU, GPO as FTTH/B, and etc. Also
paper will mention mechanisms that are used for implementing
GPO applications such as: DBA algorithm (algorithm for
control of upstream speed), GEM (inner transmit method),
protection schemes, and control of download speed as additional
feature that is not included in the default GPO settings. Briefly
paper will look at other elements of GPO such aggregation
switch; voice service: V.5.2, SIP and H.248.
Economic aspect of projects and/or solutions
telecommunication networks is very important factor, GPO is
no exception. So the paper will try to present both economical
and technical aspects of GPO in relation to telecommunication
network, and other similar solution that are currently available.
Keywords-GPO; G etworks; FTTx; triple-play; voice,
GEM, DBA, QoS.
I. INTRODUCTION
Basic diagram of Telecommunication Network is given in
Figure 1. There are three the main technological elements of
each and every Telecommunication Network and those are:
Core, Services and Access, as well as user area.
Figure1. Telecom network
Very often an access part of telecommunication network
has aggregation part; an example of core network with
aggregation is given in Figure 1. Core and aggregation part
together are called transport network.
978-1-4244-7286-4/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE
Edvin Skaljo
Terminal devices
BH Telecom d.d. Sarajevo
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
skaljo@bhtelecom.ba
Telecommunication networks are constantly developing
and expanding in order to meet ever-growing users demands.
Currently in the World there are two different trends in
development of Telecommunication Networks:
• Migration from TDM to the packet network and
• Introduction of optical fiber as a physical medium.
Moving to the packet network looks almost as a chaos, due
to the technology and topology of existing networks. However,
nowadays the trend in development of Telecommunication
networks is shifting towards NGN (New Generation Network)
[2, 3].
Not long ago an optical fiber as transmission medium were
used only for long-haul application (core part from Figure1),
in but today this medium covers almost whole access part of
telecommunication networks. Today the main question is how
deep optical fiber will go into customer area. This paper covers
a technology that employs direct fiber to user (FTTH), GPON.
II. GPON OVERVIEW
GPON (Gigabit capability Passive Optical Network) is
technology that is standardized by ITU-T with
Recommendation G.984.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Future text will
provide basic information about GPON.
GPON can support the wide spectra of services such as:
voice, TDM (Time Division Multiplex), Ethernet, ATM
(Asynchrony Transport Mode), shared line, wireless extension
and etc. In addition, GPON supports different bit rate options
which use the same protocols, including symmetrical 622
Mbit/s downstream, symmetrical 1.25 Gbit/s upstream. As such
GPON represents technology that is more than suitable for a
triple play services.
One of the most popular GPON network architectures is
FTTH (Fiber to the Home) network architecture. This kind of
architecture has the following categories: symmetric and
asymmetric broadband services, POTS (Plain Old Telephone
Service) and ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network), and
also narrowband services as phone line.
GPON can also support seven different speed cases, and
those are:
• 155 Mbit/s up, 1.2 Gbit/s down;
• 622 Mbit/s up, 1.2 Gbit/s down;
• 1.2 Gbit/s up, 1.2 Gbit/s down;
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 • 155 Mbit/s up, 2.4 Gbit/s down;
• 622 Mbit/s up, 2.4 Gbit/s down;
• 1.2 Gbit/s up, 2.4 Gbit/s down;
• 2.4 Gbit/s up, 2.4 Gbit/s down.
However to most popular speed is the speed of 2.4Gbit/s in
downstream and 1.2Gbit/s in upstream.
A. Basics of GPO"
Figure2. Part of GPON network.
As it can be seen from the Figure2 GPON network can be
segmented in to 5 different parts, and those are:
Part1 aggregation switch that is responsible for accepting
traffic from uplink transport part, while at the same time it
filtering unnecessary traffic.
Part2 OLT is very important segment of GPON. It can be
said that it acts as a “brain” of a GPON network. The most
important functions that OLT perform are traffic scheduling,
buffer control and bandwidth allocation.
Part3 optical distribution network; it is classical optical
network with additional splitters. Because GPON is type of
PON network it uses PON tree network architecture. This
architecture has a following design: one optical fiber is
connected to GPON port (OLT) and all users are connected on
it. ODN (Optical Distribution Network) is defined by classes of
GPON; that class are A, B, B+, C and C+. Today, most popular
is class B+, because it allows for a signal to be split up to 64
times for 64 users at the distance of up to 20 km.
Part4 is a far end of GPON network (ONU – Optical
Network Unit), and as it was explained in the text above a
number of GPON ends depend which classes is used, in case of
B+ it is 64. Each end of GPON can have more than one port
(UNI – User Network Interface) in that case of GPON the
ONU is called ONT.
Part5 represents user equipment, for residential users it can
be: classical phone, PC or Setup Box. The paper will show that
connection to ONU/ONT (ONT – Optical Network Terminal)
can be also SNI (Service Network Interface).
III. GPON IN USE
A. Triple play
The term”triple play” service stands for three services:
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• voice,
• internet and
• video
By taking quick look over different literature [4, 5], it is
evident that there are different types of triple play service
transfer. However, all of them can be grouped in two main
group types depending on type of triple-play service offered:
standard, without HDTV (High Definition TV) and with
HDTV. At this moment users that don’t need HDTV can be
satisfied with 10 Mbps, while the users that desire HDTV
needs more than 15 Mbps (very often it is 20 Mbps).
The advantage of GPON and its PON tree structure (class
B+, 64 users, 2.5 Gbit/s upstream) is that user can be given 37
Mbps if all users in the tree use all available bandwidth. Usage
of all available bandwidth is not real options, so when crating
plans for necessary bandwidth factor of 2x is used, which
means it is possible to get more than 70 Mbps per each user in
PON three [6]. Due to this characteristic of GPON it is possible
to conclude that GPON has a bandwidth more then suitable for
triple play.
B. GPO" QoS (Quality of Service)
GPON has two mechanisms for QoS [7], DBA (Dynamic
Bandwidth Allocation) algorithm and GEM (GPON
Encapsulation Mode) with eight level of priority. By DBA
control of upstream speed can be achieved, but in downstream
it uses another mechanism which is not standardized by ITU
Recommendation, it is buffer control. It is guaranteed that
bandwidth with adequate priority can be achieved in upstream
and downstream. QoS can be achieved over each port on
GPON ONT.
C. Dynamic bandwidth assignment (DBA)
A dynamic bandwidth assignment is a process that has been
standardized by ITU-T recommendation, its purpose is it to set
different levels of priority and provide bandwidth management.
DBA allows GPON to provide flexible support for wide
range of services with appropriate QoS. The bandwidth
capacity is possible to split in to four different categories of
bandwidth, with rage starting form best-effort to fixed, where
each category has its unique level of priority depending on
SLA (Service Level Agreement) among service provider and
service user.
Allocation of bandwidth depends on the category of
bandwidth. So the fixed bandwidth is allocated cyclically and is
suited to static bandwidth management. However, other
categories are assigned dynamically by the DBA function,
distributed among different ONTs and among the different
traffic flows from each ONT. There are two advantages that
DBA gives to GPON; first one is improved QoS and second
one is more effective use of bandwidth.
D. GPO" Encapsulation Method (GEM)
GEM stands for GPON Encapsulation Method, and this is
the unique mechanism for transport, that allows service
differentiation. This mechanism is similar to ATM, meaning
that it adds 5 bytes header, while the maximum size of payload
that can vary up 4095 bytes (12 bits) in length. According to
[12] it can be stated that it has efficiency of 94% in
downstream and 93% in upstream. It can be stated that this
mechanism allows for very efficient Ethernet transport over
GPON network, as well as transport of other services like
TDM.
Thanks to specific GEM mechanism OLT can be associated
with different traffic flows. In other words it can be stated that
GEM is virtual port identifier that is significant for a given
GPON service. So the traffic from each physical port can be
queued into up to eight separate queues after traffic flow
classification.
GEM is responsible for GPON ability to offer more
bandwidth capabilities and much more flexibility.
E. Multi-user per one O"T
If each port on GPON ONT can get a bandwidth with
separate SLA (Services Level Agreement) it means that each
port can serve deferent users. Users that need more than one
port can use a mini router (from different manufacturer).
Figure3. Multi- users per one O"U
Figure3 gives graphical representation of how one ONU can
be used to provide services in this case to four different
residential users. ONU is connected with optical fiber to
GPON OLT, while residential users are connected via mini
routers with UTP cables on to one ONU.
F. Different user’s profile
GPON mechanisms such as DBA, Buffer control and GEM
gives possibility of creation of different user’s profiles over
each and every physical port or even per each service. This
means that GPON has possibilities to crate user’s profiles that
are almost unique for each and every user depending on the
services that are required by particular user. This means that a
bandwidth can be allocated between users in PON three
depending on what he/she pays or needs. The amount of
bandwidth that is not requested i.e. not paid for is not divided
between users in the PON tree, so it can be used for some other
network services.
G. GPO" as Metro network and O"T port as Uplink
As it was explained in the case of class B+ for ODN, each
of 64 users can uses around 35 Mbps. However, triple play
service requires around 15 Mbps, knowing that all users in
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same time “never” use full triple play services; it is safe to say
that around 2 Gbit/s of bandwidth is free most of the time. This
free bandwidth can be used for uplink for mini DSLMs, or for
Business user, or for some other services that requires greater
bandwidth. Taking in to consideration what is stated above,
combining it with default properties of a GPON’s protection
mechanisms in case of malfunction [8] and possibility of
extension up to 60 km [9], it is possible to conclude that GPON
can cover one region with very efficient and reliable network.
H. FTTH/B application
By combining different properties of GPON’s user profiles,
DBA, Buffer control, GEM and multi-user per one ONT, it is
easy to create useful FTTB. Creating GPON network in
architecture FFTB (Fiber to the Building) gives excellent
infrastructure for converting at the Building point form optics
to electrical signal in order to send signal over existing copper
installation in side a building to final destination a user.
In order to achieve this via GPON one of two following
scenarios must be used. First scenario is the one where GPON
serves as uplink and behind it is mini devices with DSL links
(usually 12 ports), and DSL can be ADSL2+ or VDSL2. (A -
Asymmetric, V – Very, DSL - Digital Subscribe Line).
Second scenario is that each port on DSLAM is GEM port.
In this case each DSL user has absolutely the same right as user
that is connected directly to fiber.
I. Upgrade
Looking at development of services, and ever-growing
user demand for faster, more reliable services there is
reasonable fear that GPON 2.5Gbit/s of bandwidth would not
be enough for future needs of network users. Currently the
speed of 2.5Gbs is more than adequate, but in order to meet
the future ready there are currently debates about NG GPON
(Next Generation GPON) that will have speed of up 10Gbs
both in upstream and downstream. However, currently there
is a solution called 10-Gigabit-capble passive optical network
(XG-PON) that is standardized in 2010 by ITU-T with
Recommendation G.987.1, 2 and 3. XG-PON is transitionally
solution between GPON and NGPON. It is capable of speeds
of 10Gbit/s in downstream and 2.5Gbit/s upstream [13].
Development of next generation network should look like
GPON 2.5Gbit/s downstream and 1.2Gbit/s upstream, XG-
PON 10Gbit/s downstream and 2.5Gbit/s upstream and finally
NG-PON 10Gbit/s both downstream and upstream. The
advantage of upgrade in PON networks is that upgrade is
performed almost by desire of each user, meaning that ones
that needs more speed can be upgraded without have an effect
on other user in PON tree. Only OLT and ONU are upgraded
for a particular user or group of users in order to provide them
grater speeds, leaving whole PON tree unchanged.
J. Phone services
GPON is a solution that will not just create new
opportunities for telecommunication operators to offer now
services but also it will improve existing ones. One of the most
common telecommunication services is phone service. GPON
supports three different methods for providing phone services
and those are:
• V.5.2
• SIP and
• H.248
Most of the equipment has option to move from one
method to another, which makes GPON not only reliable but
also extremely flexible. Example of this can be seen in
Literature [11].
K. Greenfield and Brownfield application of GPO"
Until recently, FTTH was a type of network architecture
that was manly used in Greenfield projects. Those are the
projects that are not restrained by previous network
infrastructure, meaning that these projects are for the arias
where telecommunication network is being installed for the
first time.
Another type of network development project is Brownfield
projects. Those are projects that are restrained by existing
infrastructure in this case telecommunication infrastructure.
Usually this type of projects is carried out in the areas where
telecommunication services over existing network have very
low quality. Not long a go FTTH architecture in Brownfield
projects was something unimaginable. However, nowadays
with technologies like GPON, FTTH architecture is one of the
preferable architectures in Brownfield projects. Thanks to
GPON’s characteristics that are mentioned in text above it is
possible to incorporate FTTH architecture with existing
telecommunication network architectures.
From this it is evident that not just technological
characteristics of FTTH could be used in Brownfield projects
as well as in Greenfield projects, but also the advantage of
economical feasibility of FTTH, and all this thanks to the
GPON.
L. GPO" vs. competition
When comparing GPON to other similar technologies, it is
possible to compare it from two different perspectives,
economical and technological.
From economical perspective there is large number of
papers, presentation and other documents that shows
economics of GPON in relation to other similar solution out
there on the market. General point of view is that DSL
represent the technology that is still less expensive that GPON
(for example price of ADSL2+ modem is ten times cheaper
than GPON modem). However, this is not the only thing that
affects economical analysis; there are also price of port at
DSLAM and OLT price and price of outside cable network.
Price of port at DSLAM and OLT is very similar. Main
advantage of DSL technology is the fact that copper cables are
already widely used as part of network infrastructure, while
optical cables require installation that requires additional
financing. This is the reason why there is common attitude that
GPON is economically sound for green field applications.
Nevertheless, in this day and age we have more and more
1015
optical cables in outside cable networks which decrease DSL
advantage over GPON in brown field application.
Another perspective is technological one, and from this
perspective only similar technology to FTTH that uses copper
is VDSL2, that is currently able to satisfy the needs of most of
residential users. However, GPON main competitions are
others FTTH technologies. Comparing GPON to GEPON it is
evident that GPON has upper hand because it can serve 64
users with maximum downstream of 2 GB/s per port, while
GEPON can serve only 32 users with maximum downstream of
1 GB/s. In terms of speed of service, only true competition for
GPON is P2P technology (100M and 1G). One of the GPON
main characteristics is GEM, and this characteristic gives
GPON advantage over other access technologies. Due to GEM
mechanism efficiency of GPON comparing to ATM is 30%
larger, the level of useful traffic for GPON is around 93%
while for ATM is 73%. Due to the fact that GEM is base
mechanism of GPON, it gives advantage to GPON in
comparison to other technology in terms of QoS, and ability to
differentiate service offered per user.
IV. SUMMARY
Taking in to consideration all the aspects of the GPON as a
relatively new technology in telecommunication networks it is
not fair to conclude that GPON is technology that is only
suitable for triple-play service. If the all of its characteristics
that are mentioned in the text above are taken in to
consideration that it is clear that GPON has large diversity of
application in a nowadays telecommunication networks. GPON
as a possible solution for triple play is just one of the many
possibilities of its application in relation to rest of the
telecommunication network from the Figure1. As a new
technology GPON is able to incorporate it self in to existing
network, but also to present it self as complete solution for a
new network.
However, in terms of currently the most popular service
that is offered via telecommunication networks, triple-play, it is
safe to conclude that GPON is probably the best technical
solution for triple-play service.
In the end it is safe to conclude that Giga Bit Passive
Optical Network due to it characteristics mentioned above
represents milestone in future development of new
telecommunication networks, as well as updating and
expending the existing ones.
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konferencija/govori-ICT-2009/Hamdo-Katica.pdf
[2] Chae-Sub Lee; Knight, D. „Realization of the next-
generation network“, Communications Magazine, IEEE
Volume 43, Issue 10, Oct. 2005 Page(s): 34 - 41;
[3] Marcus K. Weldon ,Next-generation access networks: A
preview, Bell Labs Technical Journal, Volume 13 Issue 1,
Pages 1 – 10, 2008;
[4] Junqiang Hu at al, Triple play services over a converged
optical/wireless network, Optical Fiber Communication
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Engineers Conference, March 2006, Princeton, USA;
[5] Al-Hezmi at al, enabling triple play services over NGN,
International Conference on Information and Communications
Technology, Dec. 2007, Cairo;
[6] Edvin Skaljo at al, „Migration from G(E)PON to NG PON,
ICUMT09, St Petersburg, Oct 2009;
[7] ITU-T/G.984.4 “A Broadband Optical Access System with
Increased Service Capability Using Dynamic Bandwidth
Assignment”;
[8] Smith, S, Business class services over a GPON network;
OFC 2006, Richardson, TX, USA;
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View publication stats
[9] Nesset, D,, “Field experiment with a hardened GPON
reach extender with dualparenting protection”, ECOC 2008. ,
Brussels;
[10] Edvin Skaljo, Workshop A –GPON deployment, 4th
International Next Generation Access Network Forum FTTx,
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[11] Edvin Skaljo at al, “GPON in TDM environment“,
MIPRO 2009, Opatija, Croatia May 2009;
[12] Sayeed Rashid, article “Beyond bandwidth: QoS and
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[13] ITU-T/G.987.2 “10-Gigabit-capable passive optical
networks (XG-PON): Physical media dependent (PMD) layer
specification”;