Multimode fibre broadband access and self-referencing sensor networks

Abstract

Future Internet Access technologies are supposed to bring us a very performing connection to the main door of our homes. At the same time, new services and devices and their increase use will require data transfers at speeds exceeding 1Gbps inside the building or home at the horizon 2012. Both drivers lead to the deployment of a high-quality, futureproof network inside buildings and homes. This environment may end up taking advantage of optical cabling solutions as an alternative to more traditional copper or pure wireless approaches. Related to this latter fact, the objectives of this work are: • The achievement of a full convergence scenario between optical networks from the telecommunication services providers to the end users underscores the necessity of accurate and realistic fibre models in assessing the performance of broadband access networks with the premises of high-capacity and total compatibility. Silicabased MMFs and PF GIPOFs are the most promising candidates for such a convergence within the in-building/home scenario. Contributions to a better understanding of the possibilities of signal transmission outside the baseband of such fibres are investigated, in order to extend their capabilities, together with the evaluation of current fibre frequency response theoretical models by means of an extensive set of measurements. • The achievement of a full convergence scenario between optical networks from the telecommunication services providers to the end users is also contingent on research and development in the field of optical fibre sensors, mainly driven by the growing demand of fully building/home and industry automation, leading to a reliable integration of the optical networks. Related to this, development of multiplexing and measurement techniques for fibre-optic intensity-based sensors are analyzed and experimentally investigated. In the sensor network topology proposed, by replacing the fibre delay line with an electronic delay in the reception stage, it is possible to avoid long fibre delay coils in the remote sensing points and achieving a compact, flexible and re-configurable self-referencing technique. Applications in both scenarios can be considered, on the one hand the in-building/home network and on the other hand the WDM-PON access network topology through which operators provision the different services. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------