Definition of passive optical network

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Photonics Dictionary

passive optical network: A passive optical network (PON) is a telecommunications network architecture that uses optical fibers and passive optical components to provide high-speed broadband services to end-users. In a PON system, optical signals are transmitted over a single fiber optic cable from a central office or optical line terminal (OLT) to multiple subscribers or customer premises using passive optical splitters and couplers.

Key components of a passive optical network include:

Optical line terminal: The OLT is the central hub of the PON system located in the central office or headend. It is responsible for managing and controlling the transmission of data between the service provider's network and the subscriber premises. The OLT communicates with multiple optical network units (ONUs) or optical network terminals (ONTs) located at the customer premises.

Optical network unit or optical network terminal: The ONU or ONT is the customer premises equipment (CPE) in a PON system. It serves as the interface between the subscriber's devices (e.g., computers, telephones, TVs) and the PON network. The ONU/ONT receives optical signals from the OLT and converts them into electrical signals that can be used by the subscriber's devices, and vice versa.

Optical splitter: Optical splitters are passive optical components used to divide or split the optical signal from the OLT into multiple downstream channels, each serving a different subscriber or customer premises. Splitters are typically deployed in outside plant enclosures or cabinets and can split the optical signal into multiple branches, such as 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, or higher ratios.

Optical distribution network: The optical distribution network consists of the fiber optic cables, passive optical splitters, and other passive components that distribute the optical signals from the OLT to the ONUs/ONTs at the subscriber premises. The ODN typically includes both feeder fibers (connecting the OLT to the optical splitters) and distribution fibers (connecting the splitters to the ONUs/ONTs).

PON technology offers several advantages over traditional copper-based access networks, including higher bandwidth capacity, longer reach, lower maintenance costs, and improved reliability. PONs are widely deployed by telecommunications service providers for delivering high-speed internet access, voice, video, and other broadband services to residential, business, and institutional customers. Common PON standards include Gigabit PON (GPON), 10 Gigabit PON (10GPON), and Ethernet PON (EPON).

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