What is the PON?

PON (Passive Optical Network) is a typical passive optical fiber network. It means that (in the
optical distribution network) does not contain any electronic devices and electronic power
supplies. The ODNs are all composed of passive components such as optical splitters, and do
not need to be expensive. A passive optical network consists of an Optical Line Terminal (OLT)
installed at the central control station and a set of associated Optical Network Units (ONUs)
installed at the customer premises.

How many main types of the PON?

PON can provide three types these years: EPON, GPON and 10G-PON.

EPON (Ethernet Passive Optical Network) is the rival activity to GPON which uses
Ethernet packets instead of ATM cells.

EPON uses 1 gigabit per second upstream and downstream rates. It is a fast Ethernet over
PONs which are point to multipoint to the premises (FTTP) or FTTH architecture in which single
optical fiber is used to serve multiple premises or users.

EPON is an emerging broadband access technology, through a single fiber-optic access

system, to access the data, voice and video service, and it has a good economy.
GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) is based on the TU-TG.984.x standard for the
new generations of broadband passive optical access.

GPON provides the unprecedented high bandwidth downlink rate of up to 2.5 Gbit/s, the
asymmetric features better adapt to the broadband data services market.

GPON provides the QoS full business protection, at the same time carries ATM cells and (or)
GEM frame, the good service level, the ability to support QoS assurance and service access.

GPON also provides Access Network Level Protection Mechanism and full OAM functions.

GPON is widely deployed in FTTH networks. It can develop into two directions which is 10
GPON and WDM-PON.

10G-PON (also known as XG-PON) is a 2010 computer networking standard for data
links, capable of delivering shared Internet access rates up to 10 Gbit/s (gigabits per
second) over existing dark fiber. This is the ITU-T’s next generation standard following on
from G-PON or Gigabit-capable PON.

With the recent development of online on-demand, online education, IPTV and interactive
games, especially 4K video, virtual reality and other services, people’s demand for bandwidth
continues to grow, and the original 100M/200M access bandwidth can’t be satisfied. The
broadband industry is entering the Gigabit era as the business needs of users. The original
GPON/EPON access can not meet the user’s business needs. The 10G PON technology has
gradually become the mainstream technology of the PON network. The major operators at
home and abroad are facing the pressure and challenge of upgrading the 10G PON network.

EPON vs. GPON vs. 10G-PON

Name GPON EPON 10G-PON

Downstream: 1.25
Gbit/s or 2.5 Gbit/s, 1-Gbit/s symmetrical
Usable Bandwidth 10Gbit/s
Upstream: 155 Mbit/s – bandwidth
2.5 Gbit/s

32 ONUs per OLT, 128 users per PON, or

Reach 128 ONUs more using reach
or 64  FEC extenders/amplifiers

Per-subscriber costs Higher Lower Highest

Support for CATV

Yes Yes Yes
Overlay

Popular Area U.S. Asia and Europe. The area is developing.

Widely deployed in
FTTH FTTP or FTTH It’s developing.
FTTx

PON technology is an important way to carry over broadband access network services. With the
development and popularization of high-traffic and high-bandwidth services such as 4K video
and virtual reality, 10G PON has become the trend of the times instead of GPON/EPON.

Fiber to the Home (FTTH) has started to be taken seriously by telecommunication companies
around the world, enabling technologies to develop rapidly. Active optical networks (AON) and
passive optical networks (PON) are the two major systems that make FTTH broadband
connections possible. PON that can provide cost-effective solutions are more ubiquitous in the
majority of the FTTH deployments. The ABC of PON will be introduced in this article, which
mainly involves the basic components and related technology including OLT, ONT, ONU, and
ODN.
PON Explained: Definition, Standards, and Advantages

A passive optical network refers to a fiber-optic network utilizing a point-to-multipoint topology

and optical splitters to deliver data from a single transmission point to multiple user endpoints. In
contrast to AON, multiple customers are connected to a single transceiver by means of a
branching tree of fibers and passive splitter/combiner units, operating entirely in the optical
domain and without power in a PON architecture. There are two major current PON standards:
Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) and Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON). Their
topology structures are basically the same. As the first choice in many FTTH deployment
scenarios, the PON solution has several prominent benefits:
 Lower Power Consumption
 Less Required Space
 Higher Bandwidth
 Higher-level Security
 Easier to Install and Expand
 Reduced Operation and Management Costs

PON Structure and Components

In a Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GEPON) system, there are an optical line
terminal (OLT) at the service provider's central office and a number of optical network units
(ONUs) or optical network terminals (ONTs) near end users, as well as the optical splitter (SPL).
In addition, the optical distribution network (ODN) is also used during the transmission between
OLT and ONU/ONT.

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 OLT is a equipment integrating L2/L3
switch function in GEPON system.  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.

Conclusion

OLT, ONU or ONT, and ODN are the main components in a GEPON system, which have been
widely used in the FTTH applications by far. The reduced cabling infrastructure (no active
elements) and flexible media transmission contribute to the passive optical networks more ideal
for home Internet, voice, and video applications. Additionally, passive optical networks can also
be applied in college campuses and business environments, providing cost-effective solutions.
As PON technology has continued to improve, the potential applications have expanded as well.

Concept of ONU

Optical Network Unit, the IEEE term for what is called an Optical Network Terminal in ITU-T
terminology.

The ONU is divided into an active optical network unit and a passive optical network unit.
Generally, the devices equipped with optical receivers, uplink optical transmitters, and multiple
bridge amplifier network monitoring equipment, are called optical nodes.

The PON connects to the OLT, using a single optical fiber and the OLT connects to the ONU.
ONU realizes "triple-play" applications by providing services such as data, IPTV (interactive
network television) and voice (using IAD and Integrated Access Device).

Features of ONU

The Optical Network Unit can:

1. Choose to receive broadcast data sent by the OLT;

2. Respond to the ranging and power control commands sent by the OLT; and make
corresponding adjustments;
3. Cache the user's Ethernet data, send it in the uplink direction through the
transmission window allocated by the OLT;
4. Fully compliant with IEEE 802.3 / 802.3ah;
5. Deliver up to -25.5dBm Receive sensitivity;
6. Provide up to -1 to + 4dBm Transmit power;
7. Realize "triple-play" applications by providing services such as data, IPTV (that is,
interactive network television), voice (using IAD, Integrated Access Device
Integrated Access Device);
 8. Deliver the highest rate PON: symmetrical 10Gb / s data uplink and downlink, VoIP
voice and IP video services;
9. Provide Plug and Play" based on auto discovery and configuration;
10. Offer the Advanced Quality of Service (QoS) functions based on service level
agreement (SLA) billing;
11. Deliver the Rich remote management capabilities supported by OAM functions;
12. Provide High sensitivity light reception and low input optical power consumption;
13. Support Dying Gasp function.

Types of ONU

The ONU is divided into an active optical network unit and a passive optical network unit.

Active ONU

The Active optical network unit is mainly used in triple play, which integrates the full range of
CATV RF output. It provides high-quality VOIP audio, three routing mode, wireless access and
other functions. It’s easy to access to triple play terminal equipment.

Passive ONU

The Passive Optical Network Unit is a user-side device of the GEPON (Gigabit Passive Optical
Network) system and is used to terminate the traffic transmitted from the OLT (Optical Line
Terminal) through EPON (Passive Optical Network).

In conjunction with the OLT, ONUs provide various broadband services for the connected users,
such as Internet surfing, VoIP, HDTV, Video Conference and other business.

The ONU, as a user-side device for FTTx applications, is a high-bandwidth, cost-effective

terminal device necessary for the transition from "Copper Age" to "Fiber Age." As the ultimate
solution for wired access to users, GEPON ONU plays an important role in the overall network
construction of NGN (Next Generation Network) in the future.