5G & FTTH - Comparison & Convergence
Introduction to 5G & FTTH:
5G, the 5th generation technology, carries the high bandwidth, low latency, ultra HD videos & gaming experience, enablement for IOT & Virtual-Augmented reality (VR/AR) and low power consumption benefits. It has revolutionized the mobile access network with an aim to provide fiber like connectivity to the end user customer. Whereas, Fiber to the Home (FTTH) is a high bandwidth providing technology with fiber connectivity from Central Office (CO) of a Telecom ISP to the customer end. Depending upon technology (i-e GPON, EPON), It can provide 1Gbps to 2.4Gbps downstream data speed.
Although, 5G and FTTH are different in terms of technology, hardware infrastructure and purpose of use yet they may converge to provide better services & cost efficiency. A few researchers aptly subscribe to the point of view that 5G shall be a true game changer only if it is supported by fiber via anyhauling of its network.
Comparison of 5G & FTTH:
5G and FTTH are two sides of a single coin. Each one of these technologies has its own edges over the other. 5G is a wireless technology that uses radio waves for transmission of signals, whereas, FTTH uses light for signal transmission. In 5G, signal can cover a distance up to few 100 meters, whereas, signal can travel more than 70KMs in FTTH without any compromise on its strength. 5G has less deployment time, whereas, FTTH requires time due to heavy civil works. Regarding cost, 5G has lower cost than that of FTTH deployment. However, operation costs of 5G are normally 5 times than that of FTTH. Last but not the least, FTTH can work in rural, sub-urban & urban areas equally well. Whereas, 5G customers congestions may impact performance parameters for 5G.
In terms of technology elements, FTTH consists on Fiber, Optical Line Terminal (OLT), Optical Distribution Network (ODN) & Optical Network Terminal (ONT). It uses Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) or Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) architecture depending upon the company’s strategy & location.
5G uses Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) & Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) access technologies along with Packet Switching (PS) as a mean at transmission end. 5G has Antennas that support multi-bands configurations, have strong coverage, spectral & power efficiency and very lower losses. Further, 5G has network slicing abilities to fulfil the requirement of various customers.
Convergence & Co-existence of 5G & FTTH:
To attain true benefits of 5G, it is imperative that wireless 5G network is backed by wireline fiber and both technologies converge. Convergence means using the existing FTTH network to support the Radio Unit (RUs) & Distribution Units (DUs) of the 5G network with a highly available fiber connectivity. Up & down stream in the fiber use the bidirectional diplex mode. Small cell sites, Macro cell sites & core network is hauled by using existing presence of Fiber to support the higher bandwidth capacity, high availability and lower faults as well as faults resolution time.
With convergence of FTTH, a lot of cost of xHauling of 5G can be saved. Furthermore, the cost to make FTTH ready for 5G is also very low.
References
1. FTTH and 5G xhaul synergies for the present and future - July 2019 At: Angers, France Philippe Chanclou, Luiz Anet Neto.
2. Z. Tayq, L. Anet Neto, B. Le Guyader, A. De Lannoy, M. Chouaref, C. Aupetit-Berthelemot, M. Nelamangala Anjanappa, Si Nguyen, K. Chowdhury, P. Chanclou “Real Time Demonstration of the Transport of Ethernet Fronthaul based on vRAN in Optical Access Networks”,Th3A.2, OFC 2017, 19-23 March, 2017, USA
3. NG-PON1: Technology presentation, implementation in practice and coexistence with the GPON system-Bostjan Batagelj, Vesna Eržen
4. A Comparison of Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation for EPON, GPON, and Next-Generation TDM PON Björn Skubic, Ericsson Research
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