Abstract

To a large extent, the high-volume availability of optical passive components will affect the subscriber loop architectures that develop, as well as their overall cost effectiveness. Figure 1 shows a likely scenario for the evolution of fiber-optic systems.¹ To date, optical fiber has proved to be cost effective in point-to-point installations. However, the subscriber loop requires massive fiber connections and furcation (i.e., splitting) compared with the trunk and feeder. From a cost standpoint, it is desirable that the fibers be joined passively and that the splitting be optical as much as possible. Discrete components (connectors and couplers) are now available and are already being used to implement bidirectional transmission in subscriber loop trials. In the late 1990s dense WDM splitters and filters will permit the transmission and distribution of multiple signals separated by only a few nanometers in wavelength. Eventually, coherent components will enable the implementation of systems exploiting the ultimate capacity of fiber optics.

© 1991 Optical Society of America