Passive Optic Networks and Active Optic Networks

Passive Optic Networks

Also called as Point to Multipoint system. No need of electrically powered switching equipments except at both ends. Instead of electricity, it uses optical splitters to separate and collect optical signals. PON consists of OLT at the service providers central office and a number of ONUs near end users.

 ONU or ONT converts fiber optic light signals to copper or electrical signals. 1st PON standard were APON (ATM PON) and BPON (Broadband PON) with the data rate of 622 Mbps. Then came GPON (Gigabit PON) with the data rate of 1.244 Gbps. Then EPON (Ethernet PON) in 2004. Now (in 2010) came 10G-EPON (10 Gigabit Ethernet PON)

 Verizon, Etisalat and BT (British Telecom) all are working on the deployment of GPONs. IEEE standardize it with the name of IEEE 802.3av.

Advantages of PON
Efficient (it can serve 32 users) Reliable (because no need of power) Cost effective and low maintenance cost

Disadvantages of PON
Less range (subscribers must be closer geographically to the central source of the data. Due to not dedicated line, speed may down during peak usage.

Active Optic Networks

Uses electrically powered switching equipment, such as router or switch aggregator. To manage signal distribution. Direct signals to specific customers. In this system, customers may have a dedicated fiber running to his house.

Ad/Dis advantages of AON

AON must need 1 switch aggregator for every 48 subscribers. As it needs power so less reliable. Subscribers can change their hardwares according to their requirements without having to restructure the network.