LightCounting: Third-Generation ODN (Digital ODN) Gaining Momentum

At the Green All-Optical Network Summit of the 8th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF 2022), Dr. Vladimir G. Kozlov, CEO and founder of LightCounting Market Research, delivered a speech titled "All-Optical Networks: Past, Present, and Future". In his speech, Dr. Kozlov shed light on the current situation of the optical distribution network (ODN) industry, as well as sharing his views on its future development.

According to Dr. Kozlov, traditional ODN deployment invariably results in a huge fiber splicing workload, creating a need for skilled technicians and expensive fiber splicing devices while incurring high deployment costs. Currently, ODNs are becoming digital and pre-connected. Huawei's DQ ODN solution uses Fast-Connect and digital image recognition technologies to speed up ODN deployment and accurately record port resource statistics, making the ODN easy to deploy, visible, manageable, and intelligent.

Figure 1: Vladimir G. Kozlov, CEO and Founder of LightCounting

Dr. Kozlov also referred to the LightCounting research report "A Third Generation of Optical Distribution Networks (ODN) is emerging" released last week, which reviewed, analyzed, and forecasted intergenerational evolution of the ODN industry. The first-generation ODN uses ODN node devices such as closures, fiber distribution terminals (FDTs), fiber access terminals (FATs), and even-splitting optical splitters to branch, connect, and distribute multi-core optical cables to premises and user homes. Advocated by Huawei and Corning, the second-generation ODN features the Fast-Connect technology and integrates optical splitters in closures to simplify onsite operations, enabling plug-and-play connections of optical cables and closures. In addition, Huawei's DQ ODN solution supports image recognition and code scanning. It can help operators automatically restore the ODN network topology and achieve nearly 100% accuracy of ODN port resource statistics, greatly improving installation and O&M efficiency.

To make digital ODNs smarter, Huawei proposes the Fiber Iris solution which uses the optical signal coherence analysis technology to automatically detect and analyze ODN link status, restore the ODN network topology in real time, and locate faults in minutes at meters, greatly improving network O&M efficiency. LightCounting believes that ODNs featuring the Huawei Fiber Iris technology represent the future of third-generation ODNs.

In fact, in the third quarter of 2022, the Fiber Iris technology was recognized as Huawei's Top 10 Inventions in 2022. In China, this technology has helped operators provide precise digital O&M for 500,000 FTTH users in Liangshan District of Sichuan Province. This not only improves O&M efficiency and shortens the fault rectification time from 4 hours to 1.5 hours, but also helps operators identify 52,000 sunk GPON ports and save CNY67 million in investment. This technology has been piloted in Hunan, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and other provinces.

In recent years, new FTTH network construction scenarios, such as fixed mobile convergence (FMC) and fiber coverage for rural areas, have become new growth points. In this context, operators are in urgent need of FTTH construction modes that feature high efficiency, low cost, high quality, and easy O&M. The second-and third-generation ODNs are gradually replacing the traditional ODNs and becoming the mainstream solution in the ODN industry, helping operators efficiently deploy FTTH networks.

Figure 2: Download Link of LightCounting Research Report "A Third Generation of Optical Distribution Networks (ODN) is emerging"

This content is sponsored by Huawei.