Historical development of passive optical network (PON): a review

Abstract Communication networks are forced to transition to optical access networks in order to boost the information rate of transmission due to huge utilization of internet. Passive optical networks (PONs) are a highly developed and promising technology that offers low cost design, high bandwidth, and information rate for both residential and commercial use. PON uses the passive components incorporating couplers, splitters, as well as combiners. Compared to modern access networks, PON features bidirectional capabilities, cost-effectiveness, high resource efficiency, transparency, privacy, flexibility, along with upgradeability. Due to these ever increasing demands for high bandwidth, high capacity, and long reach communication for next generation networks, next generation passive optical networks (NG-PONs) are optimum choice. It provides cost-effective, energy efficient network architecture and can be realized in integrated wired/wireless network scenarios for fronthaul/backhaul data transmissions. This paper reviews the standardization process of PON that led to the development of the NG-PON. The detail literature review of various technologies related to PON and NG-PON has been conducted. Potential drawbacks of NG-PON as well as the advantages and disadvantages of various strategies are also discussed besides the future scope. Meanwhile it offers long haul high bandwidth hybrid scenarios. The futuristic PON networks may be realized for high undersea, satellite, and beyond sixth generation (6G) networks.