Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fourth
Edition
This pocket guide provides an introduction to FTTH technology and testing during installation,
activation and troubleshooting of passive optical networks (PONs).
www.EXFO.com
Acknowledgements
This guide would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and teamwork of EXFO staff, particularly the hard
work and technical expertise of the Product Line Management team and Dr. André Girard, Senior Member of Technical
Staff, who also plays a prominent role in the following international organizations:
• Member of ITU-T SG15 on Optical and Other Transport Technologies
• International Convenor of IEC SC86B WG7 on Passive Components
• Chairman of Canada IEC TC86 National Committee
• Co-Chair of TIA SC FO-4.3 (Interconnecting Devices and Passive Components)
• Canada Liaison to ANSI IEC Technical Advisory Group
ISBN 1-55342-002-0
Legal Deposit—National Library of Canada 2004
Legal Deposit—National Library of Quebec 2004
© 2009 EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc., Quebec City, Canada. All Rights Reserved.
FTTx PON Guide: Testing Passive Optical Networks, 4th edition
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to FTTx ................................................................................2 4. PON Installation Testing ..............................................................30
1.1 Description................................................................................................................3 Connector Inspection and Maintenance ......................................31
4.1
1.2 Why FTTx is Hot ..................................................................................................7 Performing the Tests........................................................................................34
4.2
1.3 Types of PONs ......................................................................................................9 Test Setup for ORL and Optical Loss Measurment............35
4.3
Test 1: ORL Testing........................................................................................37
4.4
1.4 Available Services ..........................................................................................12
4.4.1 ORL Testing Using an ORL Meter or an OLTS ......38
2. Network Design and Engineering ..............................14 4.4.2 Procedure Using an ORL Meter or an OLTS............39
2.1 Typical FTTx Architecture ..........................................................................14 4.4.3 ORL Testing Using an OTDR ................................................40
2.1.1 Collision Avoidance in Upstream Transmissions..........17 4.4.4 ORL Measurement Procedure Using an OTDR ........40
2.2 FTTx Equipment ................................................................................................17 4.5 Test 2: Bidirectional Loss Testing ......................................................42
2.2.1 Description ............................................................................................17 4.5.1 Loss Testing Using an OPM and an OLTS ................44
2.2.2 Splitters ....................................................................................................21 4.5.2 Loss Measurement Procedure Using an OLTS ......46
4.5.3 Loss Measurement Using an OTDR ................................47
2.3 Active Equipment ............................................................................................22
4.6 OTDR Settings ....................................................................................................52
3. PON Installation ..........................................................................................24 4.6.1 Procedure ................................................................................................53
3.1 OSP PON Installation ..................................................................................24 5. Service Activation Testing ........................................................56
3.1.1 OSP Fiber................................................................................................24 5.1 OLT (Initial Service Activation only)..................................................57
3.1.2 OSP Splitters, Patch Panels and Fiber Management......25 5.2 Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) ..................................................58
3.1.3 OSP Splices ..........................................................................................25 5.3 Multiple Testing Locations........................................................................58
3.1.4 OSP Drop Terminals ......................................................................25 5.4 Storing Data during Service Activation ........................................59
3.2 MDU Installation ................................................................................................26 6. Network Troubleshooting ..........................................................62
3.2.1 The Fiber Distribution Hub (FDH) ......................................26
3.2.2 The Riser Cables ..............................................................................26
7. Abbreviations and Acronyms ..............................................70
3.2.3 The Fiber Collector (FC) ............................................................28 8. List of ITU-T PON Recommendations ..................74
3.2.4 The Fiber Distribution Terminal (FDT)..............................28 9. Appendix ..................................................................................................................77
3.2.5 The Drop Cable ..................................................................................28
OLT Splitter
(i.e., components that generate or transform WDM
Coupler
ONT
Splitter
light through optical-electrical-optical OLT WDM
Coupler
Splitter
ONT
OLT
conversion) between the CO and customer Splitter
OLT
• Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)
FTTH
ONT
ONT • Fiber-to-the-node (FTTN)
• Fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP)
= Fiber
= Copper • Fiber-to-the-office (FTTO)
Figure 1-2. Typical FTTx network • Fiber-to-the-user (FTTU)
• Fiber-to-the-multidwelling-unit (FTT-MDU)
Protocol ATM
Services Voice/data/video
Maxim um Physical
km 20
distance (OLT to ONT)
Split ration Up to 32
1260-1360
(MLM1, SLM)
Operating
nm 1480-1580 1480-1500 1260-1360 1280-1350 (MLM2)
Wavelengths band
1288-1338 (MLM3)
ORLMAX dB >32
TDM Time division multiplexing ONU Optical network unit (optical network terminal
TDMA Time division multiplexing access (ONT), when connected to home network)
OBF Optical band pass filter ODN Optical distribution network
ERG Extended range GPON
10 FTTx PON Guide EXFO www.EXFO.com
Type GPON
Downstream Upstream b
Nom inal bit rate 1244.16 2488.32 155.52 622.08 1244.16
Notes
a. The values assume using high power DFB laser for OLT Tx and APD in ONU Rx. DFB laser + SOA, or HP LD used in OLT in future will PIN in ONU Rx.
b. Does not include power leveling.
c. MLM lasers not supporting the full ODN fibre distance can be used if the Max Tx-Rx ODN fibre distance is restricted to 10 km. MLM laser types
can be used to support this distance at 1244.16 Mbit/s.
d. The values assume the use of OLT PIN Rx for Class A. Depending on the number of connected ONUs, OLT APD Rx could be used, allowing
less expensive ONU Tx.
e. Industry best practice.
Downstream Upstream
CO
Splitter 1 x N
1.4 Available Services
Figure 1-3 shows the wavelengths ONT
Optical ONT
Video EDFA
Transmitter 1490 nm Voice and data
1550 nm Overlaid analog RF video
(may not be provided)
1310 nm Voice and data
Figure 1-3. Wavelengths and services in an FTTx network
Satellite RF Modulators
and 1490 nm wavelengths are Broadcast
Signals
TV Signals
combined by the WDM coupler and
transmitted downstream together. Figure 2-1. FTTx general architecture
At present, there are no standards
published for upstream video
transmission. IPTV is now transmitted
over 1490 nm.
ONU2
VDSL
FTTC
ONU3 VDSL
OLT OLT CO ONU
ONU4
FTTB
ONU5 ONT
ONU1 ONU5 Splitter
OLT
PON VDSL
ONU
ONU2 ONU4
FTTH
ONT
ONU2 ONU4
VDSL
FTTC
ONU3
OLT ONU
Splitter
Figure 2-4. PON topologies Figure 2-5. FTTH, FTTB and FTTC
In addition, as shown in Figure 2-4, other topologies such as the star, ring and bus topologies also exist; even protection
is anticipated with different strategies.
In some cases, it may not be necessary to bring the fiber directly to every subscriber. In this case, the fiber from the
splitter is brought to an ONT, and short copper-based links (typically VDSL, which provides sufficient bandwidth for
triple-play services over short distances) are used for the final connection (see Figure 2-5); this is also known as fiber-
to-the-building (FTTB). A single PON can use a combination of FTTH, FTTB and other types of connections.
WDM couplers are used to multiplex the downstream voice/data signal at 1490 nm with the downstream RF video
signal at 1550 nm and the upstream voice/data signal at 1310 nm.
CO FDH ONT
Drop Terminal
Splitter
1XN Distribution Fiber Drop
Voice WDM ONT
Data Coupler
OLT
ONT
Optical
Video EDFA
Transmitter
Patch Panel Patch Panel Drop Terminal
ONT
- The drop cables form the segment between the FDT and the FC
FDT FDH
ONT located at the apartment. It is generally made of bend
insensitive fiber.
• Fiber distribution hub(s) (FDH) include: FDH
- Fiber-management elements
Indoor ONT
Outdoor FDH
Feeder Cable F1
cases, where the number of floors is high like in high-rise building, additional FDHs
can be added on the top floors. FDHs are available in a range of sizes: 72, 144, 216, FDT
etc. and are designed for front access via a swing frame configuration so that they can FC
The riser cables can be deployed in the building by using fusion-spliced terminations or
FDH a plug and play (pre-engineered) system approach. A pre-engineered solution implies
that cables arrive with a pre-defined length and the terminations are done with
F1
a connector instead of fusion splice. Due to the simplicity of deployment, this solution
To CO
becomes attractive in Brownfield—where deployment speed is critical.
Figure 3-2. Riser cable installation
in MDU
• Less connectors in the design, especially at intermediate points between the FDH • Attractive proposition for situation where splicing crew is more
patch panel and the ONT connector; therefore less chance of contamination expensive or hard to get
or dirt accumulation—especially before construction has been completed • Increase the speed deployment of the project (less splicing time)
• Decrease the cost of the labor in the project (less splicing fees)
• Lower cost of components • Allow additional test connection points between the FDH patch panel and
the connector at the ONT
• If splicing fees are expensive or splicing labor is hard to get for a particular • Many connectors in the design, in addition to at the FDH patch panel location,
project, this approach may be an issue can create dirt accumulation—especially before construction has been completed
• De-facto approach: contractors are used to splice and the presence of connectors • This approach is obligated to provide evidence for its position. This is what the
in non-hardened cabinet, especially when construction is not finished, can vendors are working on now and customers are listening. Interviewees have
create a situation where the connector becomes contaminated and major been open-minded and some have said that this approach must generate
cleaning or re-connectorization is required at some places savings >20-30% to justify the use of this type of component
As explained in section 2.2.1, the fiber distribution terminal is installed on every level
of the building. In the case of the connectorized MDU solution, the FDTs need to be installed
in accessible locations for maintenance purposes (e.g., connector cleaning). In the case FDH
of a spliced approach, where all the riser and drop cables are spliced together, ease F1
WARNING!
- Never look directly into a live fiber with the naked eye. Always use protective gear to inspect cable ends
and connectors or use videoscope.
- Carefully follow all safety procedures listed in each of the test instrument’s user guide.
- Never look directly into fibers, connectors or equipment apertures, unless you are absolutely sure that the
light source has been powered off.
- When using a fiberscope, always be absolutely sure that the light source has been powered off. If possible,
use a videoscope to inspect fiber ends and connectors.
- Do not power up any laser-transmitter equipment until you are certain that all work has been completed
on the transmission system and that all cabled fibers are properly cleaned and connected.
Damaged Dirty
Is the
No connector Yes
Connect
endface
clean?
Ideally, the PON should be tested after each segment has been installed.
Therefore, once each section of the cable fiber is installed, OTDR tests should
be performed. After installing a splitter, end-to-end tests should be performed
on the feeder fiber F1 between each splitter output port and the output port
of the OLT. When the drop terminals have been installed, tests should be
performed between each drop terminal output port and the patch panel of the
fiber distribution hub (distribution fiber F2). This test can also be carried out
between the drop terminal port and the patch panel of the OLT. This is
performed when the output of the splitter is not connectorized but spliced
directly to the distribution fiber. Finally, when the drop cable is installed, the link
can be tested between the drop cable ONU connector and the OLT output
port. Figure 4-5. FIP-400 video inspection probe
CO FDH
Drop
Splitter Terminal
1XN Distribution Fiber Drop
Voice WDM ONT
Data Coupler
OLT
Optical
Video EDFA
Transmitter
Patch Panel Patch Panel Drop
Terminal
ONT
Figure 4-8. Testing the bidirectional ORL from the CO to the drop terminal
CO FDH
Drop
Splitter Terminal
1XN Distribution Fiber Drop
Voice WDM ONT
Data Coupler
OLT
Optical
Video EDFA
Transmitter
Patch Panel Patch Panel Drop
Terminal
ONT
Figure 4-9. Testing the ORL from the CO to the drop terminal
BPON Down Up
Standards
Class B+ Min. Max. Min. Max.
Loss (dB) Number/Length Total Loss (dB) 4.5.1 Loss testing using an OPM
Splitter (1:32) ~ 16-17 1 17 and an OLTS
WDM coupler (1:2) ~ 0.7-1.0 1 1 Loss can be measured using a separate
Splice (fused) ~ 0.02-0.05 4 0.2 source and an optical power meter (OPM).
Connector (APC) ~ 0.2 2 0.4 A basic OLTS consists of a light source
Fiber G.652C ~ 0.35/km 18.2 km 6.4
and an OPM, while an advanced OLTS
Worst case: 1310 nm
Total loss (dB)
consists of a light source and OPM
1310 nm 25.0 combined in one unit and is particularly
Minimum budget Maximim of useful for bidirectional testing, automatic
loss class class B referencing and results analysis. Some of
Table 4-4. A typical loss budget scenario (worst case: 18.2 km maximum) the more advanced OLTS units can
perform automatic bidirectional end-to-
end loss and ORL tests together, also
providing an estimate of the link distance.
Power (dB)
couplers and faults.
An OTDR operates by sending a high-power pulse of light down the Loss
fiber and measuring the light reflected back. Every event in the link
Slope shows
(i.e., each optical component and optical fault) causes a reflection or fiber attenuation
an optical loss, or both. Fiber ends and fiber breaks, as well as
connectors and other components, each reflect a small part of the
pulse back to the OTDR. The OTDR uses the time it takes individual
Figure 4-15. Cable section mapping from splitter input to
reflections to return to determine the distance of each event. WDM coupler output
4.6.1 Procedure
During installation, OTDR testing should be performed after installation of each segment of the network. Figures 4-19
and 4-20 show examples of tests performed from the end of the last installed link toward the OLT in the CO.
Bidirectional testing with an OTDR is important because for some events, such as for a splice between two fibers with
a slightly different geometry, the loss found with an OTDR varies for different testing directions. Averaging the losses
from a bidirectional measurement will eliminate the impact of fiber geometry and will provide the true loss values.
It is sometimes useful to test from the CO toward the splitter(s) and all the way to the ONTs. However, when many
distribution fibers are being tested, the reflection of each of the different fibers will be combined and the interpretation
of the trace OTDR will become more difficult and often, simply not possible.
For further information, refer to the following article on our website (www.EXFO.com):
• Fiber-Optic Testing Challenges in Point-to-Multipoint PON Testing
http://documents.EXFO.com/appnotes/anote110-ang.pdf
Optical
Video EDFA
Transmitter
Patch Panel Patch Panel Drop ONT
Terminal
CO FDH
Drop
Splitter Terminal
1XN Distribution Fiber Drop
Voice WDM ONT
Data Coupler
OLT
Optical
Video EDFA
Transmitter
Patch Panel Patch Panel Drop ONT
Terminal
Figure 5-1. PON power meter connected between the drop and the ONT
2 3
Figure 5.2. PON power meter measurements at different locations
When all problems have been corrected and the measured power level at the drop is sufficient, connect the drop directly
to the ONT.
Note: It is crucial to understand that the 1310 nm signal transmitted upstream by the ONT is, by nature, a burst and
is not continuous. For this reason, the power of the ONT must be detected with the appropriate instrument.
For further information on using a PON power meter, refer to the following articles on our website (www.EXFO.com):
• Service Activation Made Easy • PPM-350 Measurement Techniques
http://documents.exfo.com/appnotes/anote207-ang.pdf http://documents.exfo.com/appnotes/anote131-ang.pdf
60 FTTx PON Guide EXFO www.EXFO.com
6. Network Troubleshooting
6. Network Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting a PON first involves locating and identifying the source of an optical problem in what may be a complex
optical network topology that includes several splitters, fibers and ONTs. Figure 6-1 shows a multisplitter topology
network with multiple splitters. The numbers indicate the different zones where a problem may be located. If a break
occurs in the cable between the OLT and a
downstream splitter, all ONTs downstream
from that splitter will be affected; however, if
Zone-3
Zone-1
Zone-7
Zone-4
Zone-5
Zone-2
Zone-6
a problem such as macrobending or dirty
connectors causes optical power to be lost
somewhere in the network, only a number of
Neighborhood FDH
downstream ONTs may be affected. Since
the attenuation in fiber optic cables is ONT
..
proportional to length, distant ONTs receive a CO ..
weaker downstream optical signal than FDH 1x8 ..
..
closer ones. The upstream optical signals .
..
received at the CO from the more distant OLT .. .. ONT
WDM 1x4 .. ..
ONTs are also weaker and the OLT will ..
Coupler ... ..
detect such decreased performance. Optical
Video Splitter ONT
Problems that may occur in an FTTx network Transmitter
..
..
1x8 ..
..
.
ONT
Note on security:
Neighborhood FDH
In PON troubleshooting, if one customer CO FDH ONT
is activated, the whole network receives Splitter
the broadcasted DATA signal at 1490 nm 1XN ONT
or RF video signal (if present) at 1550 nm OLT
WDM
Coupler
as the network is passive. For this reason, Optical
ONT
network.
Figure 6-3.
Figure 6-4. Using a PON power meter for troubleshooting various points in the network