Introduction to Future Optical Access Network (FOAN)—A Path for Disruptive Technology Integration

Future optical access network (FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN)) networks are viewed as the backbone for the deployment of future multi-gigabit access networks, next-generation fiber-to-the-home (FTTXFiber-to-the-X (FTTX)), design and integration, and communication between nodes of smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoTInternet-of-Things (IoT)), 5G/6G, artificial intelligence (AIArtificial Intelligence (AI)), and neural network (NNNeural Network (NN))-based applications and services. By providing end-to-end fiber connectivity between servers and users, FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN) is poised to replace the entire copper network with an all-optical network. FOAN'sFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN) commercial success will be contingent upon the selection and integration of high-performance optical components based on cutting-edge technology and standards capable of supporting the bandwidth and data rate requirements of future applications and services. The unprecedented complexity of FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN) will be addressed by adaptive networks that incorporate intelligent devices, software-enabled control, and network automation via programmable infrastructure strategies based on data analyticsData Analytics (DA). In this chapter, we discuss the different types of communication networks, switching technologies, the evolution of optical access networksOptical Access Network (OAN), existing ITU-T and IEEEInstitute of Electrical Electronics Engineers (IEEE) communication standards for optical access networksOptical Access Network (OAN) (OANOptical Access Network (OAN)), the characteristics of FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN), and various aspects of FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN), such as the reasons for FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN), possible wavelength plans for FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN), types and options of optical fiber channelsFiber Channel (FC)/cables for FOANFuture Optical Access Network (FOAN), and the impact of linear and non-linear (LNL) impairments on optical signals.