Wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) technologies for broadband access: a review [Invited]

Feature Issue on Optical Access Networks (OAN) The passive optical network (PON) is an optical fiber based network architecture, which can provide much higher bandwidth in the access network compared to traditional copper-based networks. Incorporating wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) in a PON allows one to support much higher bandwidth compared to the standard PON, which operates in the "single-wavelength mode" where one wavelength is used for upstream transmission and a separate one is used for downstream transmission. We present a comprehensive review of various aspects of WDM-PONs proposed in the literature. This includes enabling device technologies for WDM-PONs and network architectures, as well as the corresponding protocols and services that may be deployed on a WDM-PON. The WDM-PON will become a revolutionary and scalable broadband access technology that will provide high bandwidth to end users.