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Passive Optical Network - PON

A passive optical network (PON) combines, routes, and separates optical signals through the use of passive optical filters that separate and combine channels of different optical wavelengths (different colors). The PON distributes and routes signals without the need to convert them to electrical signals for routing through switches.
PON networks are constructed of optical line termination (OLT), optical splitters and optical network units (ONUs). OLTs interface the telephone network to allow multiple channels to be combined to different optical wavelengths for distribution through the PON. Optical splitters are passive devices that redirect optical signals to different locations. ONU's terminate or sample optical signals so they can be converted to electrical signals in a format suitable for distribution to a customer's equipment. When used for residential use, a single ONU can server 128 to 500 dwellings. In 2001, most PON's use ATM cell architecture for their transport between the provider EO or POP and the ONU (in some case even to the user workstation). When ATM protocol is combined with PON system, it is called ATM passive optical network (APON).

This figure shows an ATM passive optical network (APON) system that locates optical network units (ONUs) near residential and business locations. This passive optical network routes different optical signals (different wavelengths) to different areas in the network by using optical splitters instead of switching devices. In this example, the optical distribution system uses ATM protocol to coordinate the PON. ONU interfaces are connected via fiber to an OLT located at the provider's EO or POP. Each ONU multiplexes user channels (between 12 and 40) into an optical frequency spectrum allocated to that ONU. Up 32 ONU's can share access to a single PON using the features of dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM). Some newer PON's use high-density wave division multiplexing (HDWDM). Use of HDWDM increases the number of ONU's per PON from 32 to 64. This diagram shows that a PON that uses HDWDM can support approximately 2500 residential customers.

Passive Optical Network (PON) System Diagram

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Optical Add Drop Multiplexer - OADM

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Fiber Optic Basics

This book covers the fundamentals of fiber optic communication systems and how they are installed. It starts with the optical principles, describes optical network equipment and components, how to install optical cable, identifies the basic processes for splicing fiber and attaching optical connectors and provides an overview of optical testing.

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