Due to their large diffusion, optical access networks represent a viable supporting infrastructure for mobile networks and services. The heterogeneity of services supported by mobile networks calls for the implementation of slicing mechanisms able to accommodate resources in all the involved network segments from the mobile user up to the core network.In this work, we demonstrate a fully-functional and integrated 5G network deployment to satisfy real end-to-end slicing in next-generation access networks. We evaluate the impact of optical access network resources allocation mechanisms on slice performance in terms latency and jitter experienced by mobile users.

We study possible slice management strategies in software defined passive optical networks for low latency services. Our results show that reactive slice deployment is able to enforce latency requirements requiring a minimal setup time while increasing network efficiency compared to proactive strategies.

The ITU-T subgroup "Question 2" under Study Group 15 Working Party 1 is responsible for writing recommendations for passive optical networks (PONs) and has recently approved several new projects targeting higher PON speeds. This article describes these projects and provides a snapshot update on the status of the projects.

NG-PON2 is a unique departure from the evolution of single channel TDM-PON systems in that rather than increasing service data rates by incrementally increasing symbol rates, NG-PON2 blended TDM-PON with WDM-PON to create a new optical media access technology, TWDM-PON or Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexed PON. TWDM-PON introduced the first standardized use of DWDM channels that must be operated in burst mode and as such introduced new optical challenges. How these challenges were met, and the lessons learned along the way will be described below.

The drive toward ubiquitous communications has long been encompassed by the concept of a connected or smart city. The idea that data transfer and real-time data analysis can enhance the quality of life for urban inhabitants is compelling, and one can easily envision the provision of exciting new services and applications that such an information- driven city could provide. The challenge in achieving a truly smart city stems largely from communications technologies -- fixed line, wireless, backhaul, and fronthaul -- and how these are combined to provide fast, reliable, and secure communications coverage. Here, we report on the key observations from the Connected OFCity Challenge competition, held at OFC 2017, which addressed the fixed and wireless access network requirements for smart cities. It is shown that from a technological perspective, future optical networks will be capable of securely supporting extremely low-latency and high-bandwidth applications. However, as shown by using Networked Music Performance as a particularly challenging example application, how readily this is achieved will depend on the interplay between wired and wireless access services.

Around the world, municipalities have been making substantial investments into broadband access infrastructure to accelerate the build-out of an urban phenomenon that has become known as a smart or connected city. At the 2016 Optical Fiber Communications Conference, a team contest, the Connected OFCity Challenge, was held to discuss the technological innovations and to examine dependencies and intricacies of a connected city project. The participants, four teams of experts coming from a cross-section of the industry, presented and defended their visions of future applications and innovative architecture and technologies to realize the interconnection. This paper provides a synthesis of the four competitive proposals offered for the contest and their ensuing discussions.

Direct modulation of a 10-nm tunable DBR laser was used to demonstrate 20 km transmission, high fiber-coupled power operation (> 10 mW), low power consumption, and frequency stabilization in burst mode operation for the NGPON2 application.

This is the second of a two-part paper intended to provide technical insight and rationales behind the recently approved ITU-T G.989.2 Recommendation: the physical media dependent layer specification of the 40-gigabit-capable passive optical networks (NG-PON2). While Part 1 of the paper discusses topics related to the optical link design, Part 2 focuses on wavelength control, technology feasibility, management and control channel design, and potential future standardization directions of such a multi-wavelength PON system. As the NG-PON2 system will continue to evolve, technology extensions are also discussed to provide guidance for future research.

NG-PON2 is the industry's first multiple wavelength (per direction), standards-based passive optical network system that is compatible with power-split optical distribution networks. The physical media dependent layer recommendation (ITU-T G.989.2) is the result of over three years of collaborative work by members of the FSAN and ITU-T Study Group 15, Question 2 groups. This two-part paper provides the technical insight and rationales behind the recently approved standard. The first part of the paper focuses on optical link design topics, including the optical distribution network characteristics, wavelength plan, Raman fiber nonlinearity related degradation, and interchannel cross-talk tolerance. It also describes the wavelength-tuning capability of optical network units and its impact on the physical media dependent layer specification.