PANDA: asymmetric passive optical network for xDSL and FTTH access

In this paper, we present an "Asymmetric Passive Optical Network for xDSL and FTTH Access" (PANDA) architecture that is suitable for providing end-users with broadband connections in a cost-effective and non-disruptive fashion. We first describe the need for expanding the current ADSL access to VDSL (and ultimately FTTH), as well as the network upgrades that will be required to perform this expansion. We then introduce the PANDA architecture, a multiwavelength passive optical network (PON) that implements a fiber-to-the cabinet (FTTC) access scheme and provides multi-ten Mb/s access to VDSL2 end-users. We also derive the PANDA capacity in terms of number of users and spatial coverage and show that PANDA is well capable of meeting the broadband needs in the Greece for the short and medium term. We conclude this work with a scalability study of PANDA in view of the goals set in the EU Digital Agenda.