How does GPON work?

 

To understand how a passive optical gigabit network works, we must first look at its components. GPON consists of three main components:

• Optical Line Termination (OLT): It is installed at the service provider's premises. The OLT is responsible for transmitting and receiving optical video, data, and voice signals.

• Fiber Optic Splitter: This component splits the optical signal from the OLT into multiple ratios (paths) of 1:64, 1:32, 1:16, 1:8, 1:4 depending on the number of outputs required. (Maximum number of end-user outlets is 64.)

Optical Network Terminal (ONT): Located at the customer premises. The ONT receives signals from the OLT and converts them (optical signals) into electrical signals that the user's devices use to provide broadband access. The

GPON process begins with the OLT transmitting optical signals using wavelength division multiplexing. These signals are transmitted over fiber optic cables, reaching distances of up to 20 kilometers. At the end of this cable, passive splitters split the signal into multiple paths, allowing connections to up to 64 different locations. This configuration allows many users to access the network from a single point.

Finally, the signal reaches your home or business, where devices convert the optical signal into an electrical signal for Internet and other services. The process also works in reverse, sending data from these locations back to the starting point.

Gigabit Passive Optical Networks

Faster speeds and higher reliability: GPON networks deliver superior Internet speeds with downstream rates of up to 2.5 Gbps and upstream rates of up to 1.25 Gbps. These networks are made more efficient by using passive optical splitters, reducing the need for active components.

Active components such as amplifiers and repeaters are electronic devices that require an external power source to operate and are used in some network systems to boost signal strength. In contrast, GPON's passive design minimizes the use of such equipment, reducing maintenance costs and improving reliability.