A comparison of various fiber optic topologies for delivery of entertainment video to residences

The author examines the characteristics of tree-and-branch coaxial networks and the current evolutionary trends away from those networks and toward the fiber optic delivery of video entertainment to residences. After noting the currently proposed uses of fiber delivery systems, the broadband integrated service digital network (B-ISDN) proposed by some telephone interests is discussed and its capabilities compared to those of conventional fiber systems. A proposal is made for a third architecture that takes advantage of the unique properties of fiber to achieve the best features of both of the other approaches. It is shown that the proposed star-bus topology retains the cost benefits of current tree structures (which result from a high degree of sharing of resources among customer) while taking advantage of network segmentation to allow provision of switched services. Thus the star-bus network topology should solve the quality and reliability limitations of current tree networks while providing the means to open new markets for switched services