Integration of Optical and Wireless Technologies in the Metro-Access: QoS Support and Mobility Aspects

Future metropolitan and access networks are expected to comprise heterogeneous optical and broadband wireless technologies. The growing demand of users for transparent, ubiquitous access to diverse communication services poses several challenges. We envision a future metro-access architecture that comprises Optical Burst Switching networks that feed Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (PON) or upcoming Wavelength-Division Multiplexing PON, which in turn feed IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.11 nodes. Nodes in the wireless realm may communicate in a multihop fashion, forming mesh networks. To maintain cost and resource efficiency, we propose the introduction of Quality of Service (QoS) proxies at the border between different link technologies. These entities handle QoS requirements and aid to the support of mobility. The architecture requires no modification of the Medium Access Control mechanisms of the different technologies.