Fiber-Wireless (FiWi) Access Networks: A Survey

This article provides an up-to-date survey of hybrid fiber-wireless (FiWi) access networks that leverage on the respective strengths of optical and wireless technologies and converge them seamlessly. FiWi networks become rapidly mature and give rise to new powerful access network solutions and paradigms. The survey first overviews the state of the art, enabling technologies, and future developments of wireless and optical access networks, respectively, paying particular attention to wireless mesh networks and fiber to the home networks. After briefly reviewing some generic integration approaches of EPON and WiMAX networks, several recently proposed FiWi architectures based on different optical network topologies and WiFi technology are described. Finally, technological challenges toward the realization and commercial adoption of future FiWi access networks are identified.