Comparative Performance Analysis of Smart Passive Optical (SPO) and Router-Based Transmission in Fiber Networks

This paper offers an in-depth comparative study between Smart Passive Optical (SPO) Layer 2 transmission and traditional router-based Layer 3 transmission in fibre optic networks. The analysis evaluates throughput, latency, efficiency, energy consumption, packet loss, jitter, cost per Gbps, and cybersecurity exposure across varying traffic loads. Simulation results show that, in local and access-level networks, SPO consistently delivers higher data rates, reduced latency, and improved energy efficiency compared to routers. The findings highlight the suitability of SPO for latency-sensitive, cost-efficient, and scalable optical communication systems due to its low protocol overhead and passive distribution, whereas the router model incorporates routing table lookups and buffering logic, offering advantages in scalability and flexibility for long-haul and complex routing environments. The study proposes a hybrid architecture that combines Smart Passive Optical (SPO) Layer 2 switching with conventional Layer 3 router-based systems to maximise the capabilities of both transmission technologies and provide new opportunities for transmission engineers.