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Technologies

Access Networks

xDSL

DSL refers to a number of transmission standards of the physical layer by which data with high transmission rates can be forwarded and received via ordinary copper cables, as for example subscriber lines. The actual connection is established via any protocol of the upper layers of the OSI model. Ethernet or ATM is mostly used as link layer, and IP is the usual network layer. The following DSL types are common:

  • ADSL
  • VDSL
  • SDSL

 

DOCSIS

DOCSIS is a standard which defines the requirements for data transmission in a broadband cable network. The most important application area for DOCSIS is the fast transmission of data via existing broadband cable networks. Unlike xDSL or optical access networks, the access layer is a shared medium, i.e. the resource “transmission bandwidth” of a channel in the broadband cluster is shared between users at the same time.   

 

PON/PtP/AON

For the use of active network technology for access via optical fibre on the mass market (FTTB, FTTH), three different technologies are available at present:

  • PON (Passive Optical Networks) [GPON, 10GPON, GEPON, 10GEPON]
  • PtP (Point-to-Point Networks) [Ethernet 1G, 100M]
  • AON (Aktive Optical Networks) [Eternet 1G, 100M]

 

The motivation for the use of a certain technology is – besides various technical, operational and geographical requirements – influenced by the business and sales policy of the network operator, business partners and, in particular, by the volume and topology of existing conduit networks. Therefore a specification of the actual network and system technology should – if possible – be defined after having clarified these parameters and having made a detailed planning and tendering.

 

Powerline

Powerline is a new technology for the transmission of data via the electricity supply network. So far it could only secure a niche in the field of in-house networks. However, there are good prospects of this technology becoming a large-area, competitive access solution with smart metering and smart grid in the line of energy providers.

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