What is a passive optical network?

A passive optical network (PON) is a network in which fiber-optic cabling, rather than legacy copper, is the medium carrying signals to the subscriber. It is described as passive because no active equipment (i.e., electrically powered) is required between the central office and the customer premises. Depending on where the PON terminates, the system can be described as an FTTx network, which typically allows a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connection from the central office to the subscriber’s premises. In the case of a point-to-multipoint architecture, several subscribers (up to 32) can be connected to just one of the various feeder fibers located in a fiber distribution hub. This dramatically reduces network installation, management and maintenance costs.

Challenges when rolling out PON

The bandwidth boom is driving communications service providers (CSPs) to upgrade fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) architectures with next-gen passive optical networks in view of delivering gigabit broadband. However, next-gen PON is often overlaid on legacy PON, making the network more complex and adding challenges for field crews when it comes to testing and ensuring quality of service and quality of experience.

With multiple wavelengths at the customer premises, frontline technicians must navigate new complexities.

• Measuring upstream and downstream power
• Testing more wavelengths
• Dealing with NG-PON2 and multiplexing

To dig deeper into these challenges and explore solutions (including what to look for in future-proof PON tester), read our full article.