Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation for Quality-of-Service Over Ethernet PONs

Ethernet-based Passive Optical Network (EPON) technology is being considered as a promising solution for next-generation broadband access network due to the convergence of low-cost Ethernet equipment and low-cost fiber infrastructure. A major feature for this new architecture is the use of a shared transmission media between all users; hence, medium access control arbitration mechanisms are essential for the successful implementation of EPON: i.e., ensure a contention-free transmission and provide end users with an equal access to the shared media.