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Passive Optical Network (Pon) : Different Types of Pons

A passive optical network (PON) uses fiber optic cables to bring internet connectivity to end users. A PON consists of an Optical Line Termination (OLT) at the service provider's office and multiple Optical Network Units (ONUs) near end users. The OLT converts signals for transmission over the PON network and coordinates upstream transmission from ONUs. ONUs convert optical signals to electrical for end users and aggregate/groom user data for upstream transmission. An Optical Distribution Network (ODN) provides the fiber optic medium connecting ONUs to the OLT, with components like splitters and cables distributing signals up to 20 km.

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241 views4 pages

Passive Optical Network (Pon) : Different Types of Pons

A passive optical network (PON) uses fiber optic cables to bring internet connectivity to end users. A PON consists of an Optical Line Termination (OLT) at the service provider's office and multiple Optical Network Units (ONUs) near end users. The OLT converts signals for transmission over the PON network and coordinates upstream transmission from ONUs. ONUs convert optical signals to electrical for end users and aggregate/groom user data for upstream transmission. An Optical Distribution Network (ODN) provides the fiber optic medium connecting ONUs to the OLT, with components like splitters and cables distributing signals up to 20 km.

Uploaded by

Anees Ur Rehman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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passive optical network (PON)

A passive optical network (PON) is a system that brings


optical fiber cabling and signals all or most of the way to the
end user. Depending on where the PON terminates, the
system can be described as fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-
the-building (FTTB), or fiber-to-the-home (FTTH).

A PON consists of an Optical Line Termination (OLT) at the


communication company's office and a number of Optical
Network Units (ONUs) near end users. Typically, up to 32
ONUs can be connected to an OLT. The passive simply
describes the fact that optical transmission has no power
requirements or active electronic parts once the signal is going
through the network.

Different Types of PONs:


Depending on the protocol, standards, upstream/downstream
bitrates and other system specifications, a PON may be further
defined. There are several types of PONs — as explained
below — and, depending on the end user’s specific needs, an
IT professional may choose one over the other as a solution.

APON: Also known as Asynchronous Transfer Mode passive


optical network (APON), or simply ATM PON (as it contains
an electrical layer built on ATM), APON is the original PON
system that was used for commercial deployment.
BPON: Broadband PON (BPON) is the improved successor of
APON and maintains the ATM structure. BPON has a
transmission rate of up to 622 Mb/s, with downstream
capabilities of 155 Mb/s to 622 Mb/s. BPON can be converted
to EPON or GPON over time, as ATM bandwidth is not ideal
for video.
EPON: Ethernet PON (EPON) uses ethernet packets rather
than the ATM cells used in APON and BPON. EPON is
popular for its 1 Gb/s bandwidth for modern networks.
GPON: Gigabit PON (GPON) provides a very high bandwidth
of 2.5 Gb/s. GPON uses IP and ATM or GPON encapsulation
method (GEM) for encoding.
Advantages of PON:
 Lower Power Consumption

 Less Required Space

 Higher Bandwidth

 Higher-level Security

 Easier to Install and Expand

 Reduced Operation and Management Costs

Optical Line Terminal (OLT)


OLT is the starting point for the passive optical network, which is connected to a core switch through
Ethernet cables. The primary function of the OLT is to convert, frame, and transmit signals for the
PON network and to coordinate the optical network terminals multiplexing for the shared upstream
transmission. In general, OLT equipment contains rack, CSM (Control and Switch Module), ELM
(EPON Link Module, PON card), redundancy protection -48V DC power supply modules or one
110/220V AC power supply module, and fans. In these parts, PON card and power supply support
hot-swap while another module is built inside. The OLT has two float directions: upstream (getting
distributing different types of data and voice traffic from users) and downstream (getting data, voice,
and video traffic from the metro network or from a long-haul network and send it to all ONT
modules on the ODN.) The maximum distance supported for transmitting across the ODN is 20 km.

Optical Network Unit (ONU) / Optical Network Terminal (ONT)

ONU converts optical signals transmitted via fibers to electrical signals. These electrical signals
are then sent to individual subscribers. In general, there is a distance or other access network
between ONU and end user's premises. Furthermore, ONU can send, aggregate, and groom
different types of data coming from the customer and send it upstream to the OLT. Grooming is
the process that optimizes and reorganizes the data stream so it would be delivered more
efficiently. OLT supports bandwidth allocation that allows making smooth delivery of data float to
the OLT, which usually arrives in bursts from the customer. ONU could be connected by various
methods and cable types, like twisted-pair copper wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or through Wi-
Fi.

End-user devices may also be referred to as the optical network terminal (ONT). Actually, ONT is
the same as ONU in essence. ONT is an ITU-T term, whereas ONU is an IEEE term. Belong to
different standard bodies, they both refer to the user side equipment in the GEPON system. But
in practice, there is a little difference between ONT and ONU according to their location.
Optical Distribution Network (ODN)
ODN, an integral part of the PON system, provides the optical transmission medium for the physical
connection of the ONUs to the OLTs with 20 km or farther reach. Within the ODN, fiber optic cables,
fiber optic connectors, passive optical splitters, and auxiliary components collaborate with each
other. The ODN specifically has five segments which are feeder fiber, optical distribution point,
distribution fiber, optical access point, and drop fiber. The feeder fiber starts from the optical
distribution frame (ODF) in the central office telecommunications room and ends at the optical
distribution point for long-distance coverage. The distribution fiber from the optical distribution
point to the optical access point distributes optical fibers for areas alongside it. The drop fiber
connects the optical access point to terminals (ONTs), achieving optical fiber drop into user homes.
In addition, the ODN is the very path essential to PON data transmission and its quality directly
affects the performance, reliability, and scalability of the PON system.

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