Colorless and plug-and-play technologies for WDM access over existing power-splitter-based infrastructure

We present two key technologies, colorless and plug-and-play technologies, for WDM access that utilize the existing power-splitter-based infrastructure without change. For such power-splitter-based WDM access, optimum colorless approaches are discussed in comparison to the wavelength-splitter-based WDM access reported previously. We propose a remote wavelength setting procedure to achieve the plug-and-play function, which remotely and automatically sets up the initial wavelengths for each optical network unit. Issues facing power-splitter-based WDM access are clarified, and the feasibility of the plug-and-play function is shown over the power-splitter-based infrastructure.