Layer 2 and 3 Contention Resolution and Radio-Over-Fiber in OCDMA PON for Transparent Optical Access in Personal Networks

In this paper, we analyze, for the first time, the eminent role of optical transparent networking in personal networks. We show how an optical access network mitigates many issues with respect to connectivity and mobility management. A concrete personal network user-scenario deduces requirements for such an architecture. A combination of passive optical network, optical code-division multiple access (OCDMA), and radio-over-fiber exhibits minimal cost and complexity because of centralized network control and management, resource sharing, and simplified network nodes. We enable transparent peer-to-peer communication between optical networking units in the OCDMA passive optical network subnet of the central office. We use, for the first time, simultaneously optical code-sense medium access control and optical code packet switching for contention resolution.