Tag: Optical Fiber Networks

What’s The Difference Between EPON And GPON Optical Fiber Networks?

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

EPON and GPON are popular versions of passive optical networks (PONs). These short-haul networks of fiber-optical cable are used for Internet access, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), and digital TV delivery in metropolitan areas. Other uses include backhaul connections for cellular basestations, Wi-Fi hotspots, and even distributed antenna systems (DAS). The primary differences between them lie in the protocols used for downstream and upstream communications.
A PON is a fiber network that only uses fiber and passive components like splitters and combiners rather than active components like amplifiers, repeaters, or shaping circuits. Such networks cost significantly less than those using active components. The main disadvantage is a shorter range of coverage limited by signal strength. While an active optical network (AON) can cover a range to about 100 km (62 miles), a PON is typically limited to fiber cable runs of up to 20 km (12 miles). PONs also are called fiber to the home (FTTH) networks.
The term FTTx is used to state how far a fiber run is. In FTTH, x is for home. You may also see it called FTTP or fiber to the premises. Another variation is FTTB for fiber to the building. These three versions define systems where the fiber runs all the way from the service provider to the customer. In other forms, the fiber is not run all the way to the customer. Instead, it is run to an interim node in the neighborhood. This is called FTTN for fiber to the node. Another variation is FTTC, or fiber to the curb. Here too the fiber does not run all the way to the home. FTTC and FTTN networks may use a customer’s unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) copper telephone line to extend the services at lower cost. For example, a fast ADSL line carries the fiber data to the customer’s devices.
The typical PON arrangement is a point to multi-point (P2MP) network where a central optical line terminal (OLT) at the service provider’s facility distributes TV or Internet service to as many as 16 to 128 customers per fiber line (see the figure). Optical splitters, passive optical devices that divide a single optical signal into multiple equal but lower-power signals, distribute the signals to users. An optical network unit (ONU) terminates the PON at the customer’s home. The ONU usually communicates with an optical network terminal (ONT), which may be a separate box that connects the PON to TV sets, telephones, computers, or a wireless router. The ONU/ONT may be one device.
In the basic method of operation for downstream distribution on one wavelength of light from OLT to ONU/ONT, all customers receive the same data. The ONU recognizes data targeted at each user. For the upstream from ONU to OLT, a time division multiplex (TDM) technique is used where each user is assigned a timeslot on a different wavelength of light. With this arrangement, the splitters act as power combiners. The upstream transmissions, called burst-mode operations, occur at random as a user needs to send data. The system assigns a slot as needed. Because the TDM method involves multiple users on a single transmission, the upstream data rate is always slower than the downstream rate.
GPON
Over the years, various PON standards have been developed. In the late 1990s, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) created the APON standard, which used the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) for long-haul packet transmission. Since ATM is no longer used, a newer version was created called the broadband PON, or BPON. Designated as ITU-T G.983, this standard provided for 622 Mbits/s downstream and 155 Mbits/s upstream.
While BPON may still be used in some systems, most current networks use GPON, or Gigabit PON. The ITU-T standard is G.984. It delivers 2.488 Gbits/s downstream and 1.244 Gbits/s upstream.
GPON uses optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) so a single fiber can be used for both downstream and upstream data. A laser on a wavelength (λ) of 1490 nm transmits downstream data. Upstream data transmits on a wavelength of 1310 nm. If TV is being distributed, a wavelength of 1550 nm is used.
While each ONU gets the full downstream rate of 2.488 Gbits/s, GPON uses a time division multiple access (TDMA) format to allocate a specific timeslot to each user. This divides the bandwidth so each user gets a fraction such as 100 Mbits/s depending upon how the service provider allocates it.
The upstream rate is less than the maximum because it is shared with other ONUs in a TDMA scheme. The OLT determines the distance and time delay of each subscriber. Then software provides a way to allot timeslots to upstream data for each user.
The typical split of a single fiber is 1:32 or 1:64. That means each fiber can serve up to 32 or 64 subscribers. Split ratios up to 1:128 are possible in some systems.
As for data format, the GPON packets can handle ATM packets directly. Recall that ATM packages everything in 53-byte packets with 48 for data and 5 for overhead. GPON also uses a generic encapsulation method to carry other protocols. It can encapsulate Ethernet, IP, TCP, UDP, T1/E1, video, VoIP, or other protocols as called for by the data transmission. Minimum packet size is 53 bytes, and the maximum is 1518. AES encryption is used downstream only.
The latest version of GPON is a 10-Gigabit version called XGPON, or 10G-PON. As the demand for video and over the top (OTT) TV services has increased, there is an increasing need to boost line rates to handle the massive data of high-definition video. XGPON serves this purpose. The ITU standard is G.987.
XGPON’s maximum rate is 10 Gbits/s (9.95328) downstream and 2.5 Gbits/s (2.48832) upstream. Different WDM wavelengths are used, 1577 nm downstream and 1270 nm upstream. This allows 10-Gbit/s service to coexist on the same fiber with standard GPON. Optical split is 1:128, and data formatting is the same as GPON. Maximum range is still 20 km. XGPON is not yet widely implemented but provides an excellent upgrade path for service providers and customers.
Most PONs are configured like this. The number of splitters and split levels varies with the vendor and the system. Split ratios are usually 1:32 or 1:64 but could be higher.

How Optical Fiber Networks Can Make Your Company More Productive

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

The optical fiber is to rely heavily on modern day businesses. Almost all the interactions of modern day companies have with their customers, from their sales activities on their customer service, they rely on communications technology. How to keep your business running as efficiently as possible, you should always have a communication system to properly service your company’s needs.

 

Many small businesses rely on a fairly slow connection for their communications needs. These companies usually have only 1-2 employees who rely on data to make phone calls and browse the Internet. If this is the kind of company you are running, you can save a lot of money by buying low-cost services such as DSL and cable.

 

If you’re doing more work, are probably witnessing a system slowdown when all your employees have Internet access at the same time. You may also be seeing a system slowdown when employees are relying relies on its communications network, as well.

 

If this is the situation you are currently in, you should consider upgrading your connection.T1 T1 line can efficiently handle the needs of up to ten employees without tension. Some companies prefer to rely rely on their data communication system, however, so you can run into some capacity issues, if this is the case for your company.

 

Companies that have more than a dozen employees often rely on systems that are at least as fast as a T3 line. T3 lines have the ability to transfer tens of megabytes each other. Since these networks have such high capabilities, they can meet the needs of nearly a hundred workers without tension.

 

Again though, if you can not risk the possibility of facing a slowdown during the peak period of use, your company should be looking and faster connections. No matter how great your company is, there is probably a service that can meet all your needs too.

 

Most optical carriers have already passed the wire that is needed for buyers to get service in many areas. These unused fibers are known as dark fiber. Once your organization has made ​​the decision to access these high-capacity communications networks, however, may be included and made accessible to you.

 

If your business is currently experiencing connection issues, especially during periods of peak usage, it’s probably time to start considering the link to upgrade. Because modern businesses rely on their ability to communicate effectively with each other and the outside world, it is absolutely essential that you maintain appropriate communication network for their employees to use.