This book describes the major architectures, standards, and technologies of Passive Optical Networks (PONs). It is intended for a broad audience. First, it can serve as an introduction to this class of broadband access systems, with careful definition of terms and description of design principles, technologies and standards, for those who may be involved in deployment or use of PONs. Second, it is a reference work for a broad audience ranging from developers to users, with numerous references to in-depth articles and papers and a detailed index of the specialized terminology. It also provides an understanding of the evolutionary path of PON access systems and their positioning with respect to the cable, copper, and wireless competitors for broadband access networks. The reader of this book will emerge with a good understanding of what BPON, GPON, WDM-PON and EPON are and how they work.
