Comparative video distribution techniques for broadband fiber-optic subscriber loops

The authors compare a variety of possible video distribution techniques for future broadband fiber-optic subscriber loops. The analysis encompasses several families of passive-loop architectures recently proposed in the literature, including both dense WDM (wavelength division multiplexing)-based and splitter-based designs. For these architectures, technological and economic tradeoffs between switched and broadcast transport of video are examined as a function of various system parameters, using component cost projections for the middle to late 1990's. These system issues are investigated both for conventional video (NTSC-quality) and for advanced television services, such as HDTV (high-definition TV). For splitter-based architectures, the study predicts roughly equal costs for switched and broadcast delivery of video. For the WDM-based designs, a cost advantage of 10% to 20% is found for switched delivery. Cost increments as high as 25% or more are projected for upgrading the splitter-based systems from NTSC-quality video to a full menu of HDTV channels.