Simulation of distributed photovoltaic system for optical communications

Abstract

With the planned expansion of optical communications to homes and businesses, there arises the need to generate electricity locally because the telephone central office cannot send current over entirely dielectric fiber optics cables. It is proposed to place photovoltaic panels and batteries in telephone optical network units (ONUs) in the users' vicinity in order to power optoelectronic systems autonomously. The development of a software tool which simulates the operation of this system is described.