Hybrid Fiber Access Technologies

The high bandwidth potential of fiber access networks make them attractive for carrying protocols and signal types that are normally transmitted over different types of media. This is especially true for PON, which is the most economical fiber access topology. This chapter addresses two such hybrid uses of PON. First, it discusses the evolution of the Data‐Over‐Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) protocol to using PON instead of, or in addition to its traditional coaxial cable medium. Then, the chapter covers various technologies for transporting radio frequency signals over PON, both for television signals and for mobile radio signals. IEEE 802.3bn Ethernet Protocol over Coaxial Cable (EPoC) is an extension of EPON in order to provide Ethernet access over a shared coaxial cable medium.