Power consumption estimation for the silicon-photonics reflective ONU conceived within the FABULOUS European project

The FABULOUS EU project proposes a solution beyond NG-PON2 based on a WDM FDM/FDMA approach, and aims at realizing a fully integrated silicon-photonics ONU. In this paper we will present preliminary power consumption evaluations of such ONU.

1. Introduction

Power consumption is becoming a more and more important factor in telecommunication networks, for both the operator, that have to take into account cooling expenses in the central offices, and the customers, to the point that specifications quite often indicate maximum power consumption for the customer premises equipment (CPE). As optical communications are more energetically efficient that conventional electrical communications, silicon photonics is perceived as a possibility for further improving such efficiency.