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Broadbandloop

Objective

The objective of the BROADBANDLOOP project is to define and test in field trials a concept for a cost-effective broadband access network, which will allow fibre to migrate gracefully into the local loop as bandwidth demand increases. The project will demonstrate a graceful upgrade of PONs to high bandwidth and use high speed VDSL modems to upgrade coax and copper twisted pair networks, to transport broadband services over the last drop into the customers' premises. The target customer group is small to medium size business enterprises and residential customers.
Demonstrate low cost, simple PONs which are integrated into an SDH network structure;
Demonstrate that PONs can be upgraded cost-effectively to provide broadband services;
Demonstrate capability of existing copper networks to provide broadband services;
Demonstrate that PONs can be made compact and flexible;
Demonstrate a low cost introduction solution for broadband services.
Achievements so far
Produced requirement specification for the broadband access network
Implemented traffic simulator and estimated bandwidth demand related to service quality for different broadband service scenarios.
Gave recommendation to network design.
Specified and partially implemented infrastructure for field trials in Portugal, Denmark and Poland
Performed measurements and analysis of performance of copper network to evaluate capability to transmit broadband signals
Performed life cycle cost study for different xDSL and fibre implementation scenarios for residential customers. Recommended potential areas for cost savings which will be taken into account in the field trials.
prototype wavelength-switchable optical network unitExpected Impact
Obtain acceptance of PONs as a cost-effective dependable tool for provision of broadband services for residential users and small business users. Results from the project are demonstration of key technologies, guidelines for practical implementations, reports of techno-economic feasibility of different network topologies and technologies. The results will be used for standardisation, network planning and equipment manufacturing.

Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
Hybrid copper-fibre SDH and ATM based broadband PON field trials, from greenfield to upgrade scenarios.
Contribution to the programme
Smooth integration of fibre into the local loop.
Technical Approach
The BROADBANDLOOP system consists of a passive optical network (PON) between the exchange and the local distribution point which is located a few hundred meters from the customers. Copper twisted pair, coaxial cable or fibre is used for the last drop, depending on cost-effectiveness. Transmission over the passive optical network will be based on SDH and ATM modulated on electrical subcarriers. This approach provides a bandwidth efficient synchronous system where bandwidth is allocated to users on request, without interfering with other users on the PON. The bandwidth capacity is modular extendible up to 1 Gb/s (155 Mb/s + 16x52 Mb/s) downstream and 576 Mb/s (16x10 Mb/s + 8x52 Mb/s) upstream, in order to make the network cost-effective for existing narrowband services and at the same time provide an upgrade path for digital broadband services.
High speed (up to 52 Mb/s downstream and 1.6 Mb/s upstream) transmission over copper will be evaluated in the field trials. Analogue TV distribution may be provided in parallel with the high speed digital services. Network modelling and traffic studies are performed to estimate bandwidth demand related to different residential and business services. Techno-economic evaluations, including life cycle costing of the different drop (fibre, coax, twisted pairs), solutions will be made in order to understand the limitations. Results from the project include recommendations for network deployment strategies and standardisation.
Summary of Trial
Field trials will be implemented in Denmark, Portugal and Poland. The field trials will have residential and professional customers connected. The objective of the trials in Denmark and Portugal is to demonstrate introduction of broadband services as an overlay to the existing telephone and CATV networks. The objective of the trial in Poland is to demonstrate cost-effective deployment of telephony in a greenfield area and graceful evolution to broadband services. User communities are residential users and institutions such as hospitals and banks. The trials will be interconnected to enrich the service possibilities offered.
Key Issues
Demonstrate that a PON can be made low cost, simple and compact, easy to bring into operation, and that it can operate reliably in the field;
Demonstrate that a PON can be upgraded in a cost-effective manner to provide broadband services, thus providing a dependable cost-effective entry solution for fibre in the access network;
Evaluate how existing copper networks can be exploited to provide a cost-effective hybrid fibre-copper entry solution which will allow broadband services to take off;
Demonstrate a migration concept from existing narrowband services and analogue video distribution to digital broadband services;
To perform network modelling and traffic studies to estimate bandwidth demand in the access network;
To perform life cycle cost analysis of different access network technologies and topologies and recommend cost-effective implementation schemes.

Call for proposal

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Coordinator

INDEPENDENT
EU contribution
No data
Address
Lautrupbjerg 7-11
2750 Ballerup
Denmark

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Total cost
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Participants (7)