PLC and SONET/SDH Networks Bridging with Ethernet

Abstract

Power Line communications (PLC) provides "Broadband Ethernet" connectivity directly to the customer's socket in home without additional cabling. However, PLC networks do not provide global end-to-end connectivity and need to rely on incumbent's telecom networks. In order to lower the cost of CAPEX and OPEX the network interconnection is done at "Ethernet" level. Most of Incumbent's networks are based on SONET/SDH Rings, and efficient transport of Ethernet over those technologies is a prime requirement. Ethernet over SDH/SONET (EoS), enables internet services over existing SONET/SDH systems using a simple structure. However, SONET/SDH is a TDM technology optimized for voice, and the standard rates are bandwidth inefficient when data is transported. With virtual concatenation it is possible to provide fine granularity in the transport of data traffic over SONET/SDH. The combination of these two technologies (EoS and virtual concatenation) in the same system will allow remote LANs to be connected together at lower costs in a very simple and bandwidth efficient way.