Prysmian CoEx: sharing networks for future-ready capacity

PRYSMIAN

At the FTTH Council Conference 2019 in the RAI Amsterdam, Luca Cavenaghi discussed how more networks can coexist, offering more services to subscribers without introducing extra cost.

Luca Cavenaghi

PRODUCT MANAGER PRECONNECTORIZED SOLUTIONS, PRYSMIAN GROUP

Data consumption is increasing exponentially. Building a completely new ubiquitous Full Service Access Network to support this demand isn’t a feasible option. Customer services are increasingly moving from current GPON networks to XGS-PON and NG-PON2. However, users are not willing to pay more to use applications that have moved to these new networks.

Prysmian Group’s flexible and cost-effective CoEx family products provide a solution. These enable convergence and coexistence of multiple services over a common network through a flexible WDM TFF technology. The plug and play solution, features quick and easy handling and identification, allowing for flexibility while saving costs on installation and passive components.

This solution has been specially engineered for scenarios where services are already guaranteed using GPON but there is a need to deploy different FTTH access technologies, including Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) signals. A WDM module or coexistence element is designed to enable the implementation of gigabit passive optical network (GPON) evolutions to XGS-PON and NG-PON2.

Previously, GPON, RF video and OTDR might be combined in a ‘multiplexer’ (MUX), and ‘unscrambled’ on the receiving end. In this way, a multitude of different signals can be transmitted across a single cable at the same time, thereby increasing the cable’s capacity.

The most important element from the CoEx solutions is the WDM Filter layer. This determines parameters and performance of the filter - a selective durable device. As a result, performance improves in several key areas:

Insertion Loss, Isolation and Return Loss
Reliability (zero defects)
Qualification / Homologation process

A CoEx device can include one or more WDM elements, depending on type.

Allows coexistence between XPON technologies and GPON, XGS-PON and NG-PON2
OTDR signal also available
Modules equipped with anti-dust shuttered adaptors and secure laser warning label
Modules can be supplied in standard LGX box footprint or different and customised form factor

By introducing CoEx at the multiplexer end, many more fibre network types can be added at both the input and output sides. In this way, ‘regular’ GPON can share the same optical distribution network with other networks. Vendors and operators can combine business and residential services over one network and easily adapt to future requirements.