Point-to-multipoint fiber in the loop (FITL) systems: A delay performance analysis

Currently, two different Fiber in the Loop (FITL) system architectures exist. They are Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and Fiber to the Curb (FTTC). In FTTH, fiber terminates at a single customer location, whereas in FTTC fiber terminates at the curb or utility pole and is shared among multiple living units. Topologies used with FTTC and FTTH include point-to-point and point-to-multipoint systems. A challenging problem occurs when ATM cells are to delivered over a point-to-multipoint FITL system that uses a multiple access protocol to avoid signal collisions in the upstream direction (i.e., from the customer towards the network). It has been shown in various laboratories that point-to-multipoint FITL systems are capable of transporting and delivering ATM cells. However, the delay performance for traffic over such systems was not analyzed in detail and in light of system-specific constraints that relate to practical case of a typical telephone company.; This dissertation provides a detailed analysis for various FTTH and FTTC cases. Delay performance for point-to-multipoint systems is treated in great detail, taking into account Fiber in the Loop system-specific constraints.