IEEE delivers EPON interoperability test program

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) has unveiled three new standards for conformance testing procedures for IEEE 1904.1Standard for Service Interoperability in Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (SIEPON).

The new test suite is designed to foster multi-vendor interoperability of EPON equipment, by checking that optical line terminals (OLTs) and optical network units (ONUs) comply with IEEE 1904.1. This standard provides international, system-level specifications to enable multi-vendor, "plug-and-play" interoperability in EPON systems, including both 1-Gbps and 10-Gbps EPON (see "IEEE ratifies SIEPON standard for EPON interoperability").

These new test protocols – together with the recently launched SIEPON Conformity Assessment Program – are intended to streamline implementation and testing of EPON equipment used to deliver business and residential fiber-optic broadband services globally.

"Being responsible for interoperability testing of multi-vendor EPON access equipment, I can fully appreciate the complexity of this process and the value of a trusted, third-party validation backed by the IEEE," said Marek Hajduczenia, network architect with cable MSO Bright House Networks and chair of the SIEPON Conformance Assessment Steering Group. "The SIEPON Conformity Assessment Program changes the situation for operators dramatically, unlocking the benefits of fully interoperable, multi-vendor environment through the use of IEEE-certified EPON access products from a broad ecosystem of vendors. The program also brings advantages to EPON equipment vendors, cutting down on resources needed to have their equipment qualified for use at individual operator’s networks."

The three new standards—created through the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) entity-based development process—address the diverse requirements associated with multiple fiber to the premises (FTTP) service, provisioning, management, and deployment models around the world. The standards are intended to allow vendors, network operators, and independent testing facilities to achieve consistent results when testing EPON equipment for conformance with IEEE 1904.1.

The availability of the new suite of testing standards and the launch of the SIEPON Conformity Assessment Program are intended to free network operators from the burden and costs of developing and maintaining in-house conformance programs and to enable EPON manufacturers to affordably test IEEE 1904.1 conformance at various stages of product development. Furthermore, the comprehensive test suite is designed to minimize variations in test results across multiple, independent test facilities.

"The SIEPON Conformity Assessment Program is representative of the value of the IEEE consensus platform," said Konstantinos Karachalios, managing director, IEEE-SA. "In lock step with the working group, we were able to deliver a suite of SIEPON standards and accompanying regional testing standards in a timely manner. The key stakeholders are using our standards development and conformity assessment channels to establish a common regionalized mechanism to test SIEPON products. Users can now more easily test conformance of a product before deployment implementation, and manufacturers can more affordably identify bugs and non-conformance earlier in the product-development cycle."

The IEEE Standards Association Conformity Assessment Program (ICAP) will provide program management oversight for the SIEPON Conformity Assessment Program.

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