Hybrid wireless-optical broadband access network (WOBAN): network planning and setup

• Published in: IEEE journal on selected areas in communications 2008-08, Vol.26 (6), p.12-21
• Main Authors: Sarkar, S., Hong-Hsu Yen, Dixit, S., Mukherjee, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithm design and analysis; Design optimization; Interference; Optical design; Optical fiber networks; Optical network units; Passive optical networks; Product introduction; Simulated annealing; Studies; Tail; Wireless communication; Wireless networks
• ISSN: 0733-8716; 1558-0008
• DOI: 10.1109/JSACOCN.2008.032207

In a WOBAN, the back end is a wired optical network, the front end is managed by wireless connectivity, and, in between, the tail ends of the optical part [known as optical network unit (ONU)] communicate directly with wireless access points (AP). We study a WOBAN deployment scenario and investigate an algorithm to optimize the placement of multiple ONUs. To obtain some representative data on locations of typical wireless users, we have conducted a survey on the distribution and types of wireless routers in the Wildhorse residential neighborhood of North Davis, CA. We also formulate the multiple-ONU deployment problem using a combinatorial optimizer, viz., simulated annealing. Having found the suitable locations for ONUs, we compare the expenditures of a WOBAN vs. a wired access solution, namely Passive Optical Network (PON). To capture the challenges behind a complete WOBAN setup, we propose and investigate a joint optimization algorithm, which considers design aspects of both the wireless front end, such as avoiding interference among neighboring APs, and the optical back end, such as minimizing expensive fiber layout.