What are the current trends? About Passive Optical Networks (PON)

What is a passive optical network?

A passive optical network (PON) is an optical network with one-to-multiple connections that divides downstream optical signals via a splitter with an optical line terminal (OLT) for multiple optical network terminals or optical network units (ONU). Except for the terminal equipment, the whole optical distribution network (ODN) contains no components that use electricity and is formed by only passive components like the splitter.

Composition of PON:

• Optical Line Terminal (OLT)
• Optical Network Terminal (ONT) 
• Optical Network Unit (ONU)
• Optical Distribution Network (ODN)

Currently, there are two mainstream PON standards: one is the ITU-T G.98x series of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which includes ATM PON (APON), Broadband PON (BPON), Gigabit Capable PON (GPON), and 10 Gigabit Capable PON (XG-PON); the other is the IEEE 802 EFM series, which includes Ethernet PON (EPON) and 10G-EPON.

Characteristics and Advantages of PON:

• Easy maintenance, management, and expansion: No need for large amounts of conduits, reduced circuit accommodation in server rooms, and reduced space for terminal accommodation in server rooms facilitate maintenance, management, and expansion.
• Cost saving: PON requires no electricity for signal transmission, thus saving expenses on construction, electricity, and space and reducing long-term operating and management costs.
• High-performance long-distance transmission: Low latency and high bandwidth improve network communication quality.
• Fitting modern deployment: The demand for large bandwidth drives broadband network upgrades. PON is the foundation for 5G, IoT, and smart buildings

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