PLC Splitter Application

Planar waveguide optical splitter (PLC Splitter) is an integrated waveguide optical power distribution device based on quartz substrate, suitable for connecting central office and terminal equipment in passive optical networks (EPON, BPON, GPON, etc.) and FTTx networks. Realize the splitting of optical signals.

It is one of the most important passive optical components in fiber optic links, with one or more input ends and multiple output ends. Its three most important components are the input end, output end and chip of the optical fiber array. The design and assembly of these three components play an important role in the stable and normal operation of the PLC optical splitter.

PLC Splitter parameter features

1. The loss is not sensitive to the optical wavelength, and can meet the transmission needs of different wavelengths;
2. The light splitting is uniform, and the signal can be evenly distributed to the user;
3. The structure is compact and the volume is small, which can be directly installed in various existing transfer boxes without leaving a large installation space;
4. There are many shunt channels for a single device;
5. The multi-channel cost is low, the more the number of branches, the more obvious the cost advantage.

PLC Splitter Classification

According to the different network structures, the distribution methods of PLC optical splitters in the network are also different. Generally, PLC optical splitters have two types: centralized distribution and cascaded distribution.

1

PLC optical splitter centralized distribution

The centralized distribution of PLC optical splitters means that the optical splitters are centrally installed at a certain position between the optical line terminal (OLT) and the optical network unit (ONT), and the signals at the central office are concentrated and processed, and then transmitted to each end user respectively. It is more suitable for network applications where users are more concentrated. The split ratios of the PLC optical splitters used here are usually 1:32 and 1:64. As shown in the figure below, a PLC optical splitter with a split ratio of 1:32 can be used to deliver network services from the central office to 32 home users:

PLC optical splitters used in fiber distribution hubs include tray type, insert type and ABS box type; PLC optical splitters used in fiber optic terminal boxes include bare fiber type and so on.

2

PLC optical splitter cascade distribution

The biggest difference between the cascade distribution and the concentrated distribution is that the cascade distribution has two-level splitting (the centralized distribution has only one-level splitting). The following figure is an example of delivering network services to 32 home users through the cascade distribution of PLC optical splitters. From the figure, we can see that each optical splitter is distributed, and the optical splitting of the first-level optical splitter The ratio is 1:4, and the splitting ratio of the secondary beam splitter is 1:8.

This distribution method is more complex than the centralized distribution of PLC optical splitters, but it can maximize the use of optical fiber resources, and the wiring is flexible, which is more suitable for network applications where users are scattered. PLC optical splitters suitable for this application include bare fiber, micro, ABS box and so on.

PLC Splitter Application

Depending on the type, optical splitters are usually mainly used in:

Bare fiber type: The bare fiber PLC optical splitter is directly led out by optical fiber (usually using ribbon fiber), and the two ends are not terminated. It is mainly suitable for occasions that are not frequently disassembled, and is installed in various types of Inside the pigtail box or in the test instrument.

Micro: Micro PLC refers to a small optical splitter component that is packaged in steel pipe and uses a 0.9mm loose tube for fiber output. It is mainly suitable for tight installation space and does not require fusion or cold splicing, such as optical cable splice boxes, optical fiber distribution boxes, and can also be installed in insert-type and rack-type optical splitter combination boxes.

ABS box type: It is packaged in ABS plastic box, and the port is led out by pigtail. Mainly used in the rack, when the optical fiber branch enters the home, it is installed in the optical cable transfer box.

Plug-in type: The plug-in type PLC is packaged in an ABS plastic box, and the ports are end-to-end. It is used for the user access point that needs to be split in the FTTX system. The main function is to complete the end of the optical cable entering the cell or building. It has the functions of fixing, stripping, welding, jumping, and splitting the optical fiber. form into the end user.

Rack type: The rack type PLC is packaged in a metal box and can be installed in a 19-inch 1U cabinet.