Optical fibers reach into homes

Abstract

The replacement of the standard series-connected pair of twisted copper wires that connects each home to the telephone network today by optical-fiber cabling that can handle broadband services is discussed. The technologies needed for the fiber to the home, which are dominated by such considerations as bit rates, network architecture, and power dissipation, are discussed. Various combinations of services and technologies that are currently undergoing trials are described. Future evolution into broadband networks is discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>