Passive Optical LAN Design

Matt Miller
Principal Systems Engineer, Leidos
Phone: 443.994.6456 | Email: matt.miller@leidos.com
Objectives

After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

Describe the basic architecture and design of a Passive Optical LAN (POL)
Identify the benefits of a Passive Optical LAN (POL)
Identify key market verticals for the application of POL
Identify the applications of POL and those scenarios that are not an appropriate fit for the
technology
Identify the various types of optical splitters and their principles of operation
Identify the various types of optical connector types and connector housings
Understand and calculate optical loss budgets
Agenda

Background PON Communication

Passive Optical LAN (POL) POL Components

Overview POL Implementations
PON and POL Optical Budgets
Connectivity
Cost Reviews POL Design
Benefits POL Testing
Questions and Discussion
Background
Background: Legacy Infrastructure
is Reaching Its Limits

Overall Challenges
Incremental evolution
Will become obsolete in
5 to 10 years
Increasing cost of cabling
and electronics
Difficult to plan for the
next technology
High power, space, and
cooling costs
Unrealized ROI
Background: Passive Optical Networking (PON)
PON grew out of a need by
telecom carriers for:
More bandwidth
Higher subscriber density
Replace aging copper
infrastructures
Reduce power requirements and
O&M costs
* Source: Broadband Trends, February 2013
** Source: ABI Research, May 2014
Proven Technology:
First standards developed in 1995
ITU and IEEE standards-based
Billions of dollars invested in perfecting
PON technology
Fiber optic broadband subscribers
surpass cable subscribers
Global GPON revenue increased 33%
from 2011 to reach $3.2 billion*
Over 126 million fiber optic broadband
subscribers worldwide**
Fiber optic broadband subscribers are
expected to reach 265 million by 2019**
Passive Optical LAN (POL)
Overview
Passive Optical LAN (POL): Overview
Globally standardized transport
solution for PON technology
Enhanced data security and near-zero
TEMPEST emanations
Highly flexible and scalable
Centralized and secure administration
Converges voice, data, and video
on to a single fiber
Improved reliability
Reduced installation time and costs
Reduced overall lifecycle operating costs
Greatly enhanced network performance
No electronics between the data center and end user
for many miles
Eliminates workgroup switches in the riser closets
As future technology evolves only the endpoints need upgrading
Maximizes return on investment (ROI)
POL is GREEN IT
Reduces and efficiently disperses power
Reduces specialized cooling requirements
Reduces space requirements
Application of the underlying technology
Passive Optical LAN (POL)
PON and POL Connectivity
Passive Optical LAN (POL): Connectivity with PON
Passive Optical LAN (POL): Connectivity
Passive Optical LAN (POL)
Cost Review
Passive Optical LAN (POL):
Cost Review

Franklin Center
Active Ethernet vs. POL:
Project Summary and
Cost Analysis
7-story office building
Approximately 200,000
square feet
Approximately 105 IP
endpoints per floor
Active Ethernet Cost:
Per Floor (2 per floor)

Equipment Cost
Fiber backbone and
$850
patch panel
CAT 5e UTP (Qty 360)
$54,000
avg. 50m
Two 48 port and one 24
$25,000 $127,150
port Cisco 3750G switch
3 meter patch cables (per floor)
(qty. 360) and cable $1,850
management hardware x7
3000 VA UPS $1,300
HVAC $8,000 $890,050
Closet construction
(100 sq. ft. @ $150 per $15,000
sq. ft.)
Installation labor $21,150
Annual power
$3,066
consumption @ $0.125
(per year)
per KWhr
POL Cost: Data Center

Equipment Cost

48 Volt DC
$2,500
Rectifier

48 PON OLT with

$91,292
16 Gbps Uplinks

Fusion spliced
$12,408
fiber riser frame $113,845
Fiber cable
$1,045
jumpers

3000 VA
Uninterruptible $1,300
Power Supply

Installation labor $5,300

Per Floor
POL Cost

Equipment Cost
Ribbon riser cable $860
Fiber distribution hubs $13,985
Reduced bend fiber
$6,840
drops
3m fiber jumpers $2,194
Optical network
$21,681
terminals
Installation labor $11,550

$57,110
(per floor)

x7
$399,770
Installation Cost Summary:
Active vs. Passive

Active Ethernet POL

Per floor $127,150 $57,110

Data center $113,845

Entire 7-story
building $890,050 $513,615

42% SAVINGS
Passive Optical LAN (POL)
Benefits
Benefits: Removing the Active Distribution Layer

Reduces installation and O&M costs

Eliminates riser closets
Eliminates dedicated cooling
Reduces and efficiently disperses
power
Eases movement of users within the
environment
Eliminates a troubleshooting and
maintenance component
Eliminates cross-connects
Reduces the cost of dispatching techs
Benefits: Secure Architecture

128 bit AES encryption

Minimal TEMPEST concerns
Standards driven interfaces
Out-of-band management
Remote software upgrades
No administration ports on ONTs
PON Communication:
Supported Voice

Supported voice systems

Native analog capabilities (POTS)
using SIP
Supports FAX and modem
requirements
Remote troubleshooting tools
Integration with Class 5 or
Enterprise switch via SIP or H.248
Enterprise VoIP with 802.3at
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Passive Optical LAN (POL)
Components Hardware and Optics
Components: Optical Line Terminals (OLT)
Scalable integrated platforms
800 Gbps to 8.6 Tbps backplane
2.5 Gbps or 10 Gbps PON ports
Hot swappable card slots
Pluggable optics (SFP, SFP+, XFP)
Available as a fully redundant configuration
Carrier-class reliability (99.999% uptime)
Scalable integrated platforms
Unmatched density
Up to 64 GPON or GEPON Ports per OLT
192 PONs per 7 rack (3 OLTs)
Serves 6,144 ONTs per 7 rack
Up to 16, 10Gbps GEPON PONs per OLT
48 10G PONs per 7 rack (3 OLTs)
Serves 1,536 10G ONTs per 7 rack
Robust Network Management
VLAN and 802.1x support
Multi-level queuing QoS support
IPv6 compatible
 Components Large OLT Models

Chassis-Based
Fully Redundant
Up to 112 PON Ports
Thousands of ONTs
DC Powered
Components Small OLT Models

AC and DC Power
Small Chassis and
Standalone
Small Office/Field Office
4 to 16 PON Ports
Hundreds of ONTs
Components OLT Uplinks

Standard Ethernet uplinks to core

Uplinks typically 1G or 10G pluggable optics
VLANs trunked into uplink ports
Class C+ optics featureup to 32dB
Components OLT PON Ports

From 4 to 112 PON ports per OLT

Each PON port typically serves 32 ONTs
= Thousands of ONTs per OLT!
Typically SFP based
Class C+ optics feature 32dB loss budget
Components OLT Redundancy

Typically Redundant Sometimes Redundant

Power PON Ports
Backplane PON Cards
Management Entire OLT
Switch fabric
Uplinks
Break 15 Minutes
Passive Optical LAN Design
Components: Fiber Zone Box
(Replaces Workgroup Switches and Riser Closets)

All passive; rapid install

No electronics (no switches, UPS, Access Control
Systems)
Installs in 2x2 foot ceiling grid or wall mount
96 ONTs per zone box
Lockable cabinet
Houses optical splitters
Set and forget
Completely connectorized
Lower facilities costs
No power or cooling required
Less space
Riser closets can be eliminated
Components: Optical Network Terminal (ONT)
Variety of interface options
2 POTS ports (SIP to Analog Conversion)
1 to 24 10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet ports
Full remote management features
Per-port service activation and diagnostics
Hardware, software, and service inventory
Bandwidth provisioning in 64 Kbps increments
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Injection ONT
4 PoE or 16 ports to power VoIP phones, wireless access
points, and security cameras
4, 8, 12, 16 or 24 10/100/1000 BASE-T Interfaces
Optional integrated UPS power supply provides up to two
hours of battery backup
Allows per-port administration of PoE wattage
Maximum 30 watts of PoE
 Components ONT Models

Large variety of ONTs Match interfaces to user

available needs:
AC and DC power Ethernet Ports with PoE
options POTS Ports
Desk-mount, In-wall, Coaxial Television
and Rack-mount
Battery backup Wi-Fi
Components ONT Connections
What Can I Connect?
PCs Access Control
Thin Clients Security Cameras
VoIP Phones Building Management Systems
POTS Phones Biometric Sensors
Wireless Access Points
Coaxial Cable TV Anything with an Ethernet, POTS,
IPTV or Coax Interface!
Components ONT Compatibility

EPON and GPON are not compatible

Different manufactures typically do not interoperate
Within the standards, some manufacturers have
additional features especially EPON
Components ONT Security

ONT security design to assume the ONT is in the

hands of the adversary
ONT does not function without OLT
Usually no management ports on ONT
ONT receives all programming from OLT
Power Considerations

ONTs report a loss of power or loss of service

ONTs can be powered via AC or DC
Battery backups for high availability
PoE for devices that need it
Components - Video

Laser Transmitter Electrical to

Optical 1550nm Conversion
EDFA Amplifies Optical
Signal up to 18 21dBm
WDM Combines
Wavelengths
Components - Video

Laser Transmitter
EDFA
RF Nodes
RFoG/two-way
Components DC Power

Most OLTs use -48V DC

Power
Same power used in telco
central offices
Rectifiers required to convert
AC to DC
Properly ground your
equipment!
Components DC Power

Redundant Inputs
Redundant Outputs
Redundant Rectifiers
Fuse or Circuit Breaker
Protection
Network Management
Basically an external power
supply!
Centralized Management
Management Systems

Systems included standard CLI and EMS

Application and Web/Mobile
GUI is more important in PON than legacy
networks
Density is far greater!
ONTs are an extension of the OLT
Profiles & Templates

Create a standard profile or template for

your services
Apply that profile or template to many ONTs
at once!
Management Systems

Alarming and Notification

Bandwidth Monitoring
Central OLT & ONT Upgrades
MAC Searches
VLAN Member Reports
Bandwidth Management
Bandwidth Management is Built-in!
Guarantee every user bandwidth
Set a committed rate
Committed rates cannot exceed capacity of any
link in the system
Manage additional bandwidth as you desire
Set a peak rate
Bandwidth Management
Committed rates cannot
exceed capacity of any link
in the system
Managing All The Same Things

The same things you manage today

VLANs
PoE
QoS
LLDP
Network Access Control
Standards IEEE vs. ITU

ITU and IEEE have separate standards for PON

Both standards use the same passive infrastructure
(fiber & splitters)
The only difference is the electronics
Popular Standards Comparison

EPON GPON

Standard IEEE 802.3ah ITU G.984

2.4Gbps Down / 1.2 Gbps
Speed 1Gbps Symmetrical
Up
Framing Ethernet (mostly native) GEMS Encapsulation

Wavelengths 1490nm/1310nm 1490nm/1310nm

Dynamic
Optional Vendor Specific Built-in
Bandwidth

Encryption Optional Vendor Specific AES-128 Downstream

Standards Timeline
IEEE ITU
1995 1995 APON Standard Introduced (155M)
1996
1997
1998
1999 1999 BPON Standard Approved (622M/155M)
2000
2001
2002
2003 2003 GPON Standard Approved (2.4G/1.2G)
2004 EPON Standard Approved (1G) 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009 10G EPON Standard Approved (10G) 2009
2010 2010 XGPON1 Standard Approved (10G/2.5G)
2011
2012
2012 Extended EPON Task Force Formed
2013
2014
Converging Standards

IEEE and ITU working to converge standards in

future generations
10G EPON and XGPON use same PHYs
Future Standards

EPON/GPON Networks can co-exist on the

same fiber & splitters as 10G EPON/XGPON
Networks
10G EPON and XGPON use same PHYs
IEEE and ITU working to converge
standards in future generations
Next standards may combine multiple
wavelengths in each direction for additional
bandwidth
Complimentary Wavelengths

EPON/GPON
1490nm Down / 1310nm Up

10G EPON/XGPON
1577nm Down / 1270nm Up

RF Video
1550nm Down
 Migration to 10G
2.5Gbps/1.25Gbps
1490nm/1310nm
GPON
OLT
GPON ONT

10G PON ONT

10G PON
OLT 10Gbps/10Gbps
1577nm/1270nm
54
10G PON can coexist on the same fiber as GPON
54

Bandwidths available as 10G Downstream and 10G/2.5G/1G Upstream

Uses same infrastructure/splitters as GPON
Casual migration upgrade only the ONTs that you want
Fiber Optic vs. Copper Cable in
the Horizontal

TIER 1 TIER 1 TIER 1

Riser Rated Cables Vendor Bend Vendor Category Vendor Category
Insensitive Fiber 5e UTP 6a UTP
10G distance 40 km 45 m 100 m
Cable OD 2.9 mm 5.7 mm 7.5 mm
Weight 4 lb./1,000 ft. 22 lb./1,000 ft. 39 lb./1,000 ft.
Minimum Bend Radius 5 mm 22.8 mm 30 mm
Tensile strength
48 lbf 25 lbf 25 lbf
(installation)
Fiber Optic Benefit

Bend Insensitive Fiber:

saves time and money
POL Implementations

Project Overview
First POL installation anywhere
Commercial contract servicing the federal government and
contractor Intelligence Community
Over 6,000 GPON Ethernet ports deployed in a multi-tenant
SCIF environment with multiple classifications (VoIP and
thin/thick clients)
One data center can support the entire business park;
17 buildings are planned
POL Implementations
Project Overview
Global Fortune 225 Company Americas HQs
Approximately 1 million sq. ft. (main building and
2 parking garages)
Planned growth for another 200,000 sq. ft.
1,500 employees
Planned growth for another 750
Nearly 12,000 GPON Ethernet ports

Integrated Technologies over GPON:

VoIP (PCs tethered through phone)
Security
Access control
Biometrics
Cameras (main building and parking)
Virtual turnstiles Project Highlights
Blue phones in parking garage $1 million in CAPEX savings
480 WAPs Estimated $240,000/year in energy savings (56%
Building automation/environmental controls savings)
IP Video/digital signage content distribution Estimated $370,000/year in Cisco Smartnet savings
POL Summary of Benefits

Revolutionizes network architectures POL is GREEN IT

No electronics between the data center and end Reduces and efficiently disperses
user for many miles power

Eliminates workgroup switches and riser closets Reduces space requirements

Reduces specialized cooling
Standardized, centralized, and secure requirements
administration
Greatly enhanced data security POL training & certifications
are available
As future technology evolves only the endpoints
need upgrading Gradual migration path for
moving from present to
Converges voice, data, and video on to a future ITI
single transport Maximized overall ROI
Improved reliability
Reduced installation costs
Reduced operating costs
Break for Lunch 90 Minutes
Passive Optical LAN Design
Fiber Optic Cabling
Fiber Cable Types
Jumper Cables
Reduced Bend Radius Fiber
Single Mode
Simplex
SC/APC Connectors
Riser Cables
Single Mode
MPO Connectorized
12 Strand (12-fiber Ribbons)
Terminated on fiber cartridge

Horizontal Cables
Reduced Bend Radius Fiber
Single Mode
Plenum Rated
Simplex
SC/APC Connectors
Optical Budget Considerations
Maximum loss for a GPON is 28 dB. Downstream signal is at 1490 nm;
Launch power (1.5 to 5 dBm), optical upstream at 1310 nm
degradation and receiver sensitivity (- Other wavelengths: 1550 and 1590
27 to -8 dBm) are primary factors in Since the optical loss is greater at
PON considerations 1310 nm, loss calculations are
Splitters, fiber, splice and connector normally made at 1310 nm
losses (dirty connectors) are the Distance is a function of available
primary factors that affect the optical light level
degradation/loss
Max GPON distance per ITU standards is 20 Km (12.5 miles)
although some low-split designs can allow in excess of 40 miles

62
Laser Safety

The systems use Class 1 Lasers

Lowest risk of eye damage
Exposure is minimal under normal conditions
Light wavelengths are between 1310 and 1590 nm (invisible to the eye)
Always assume there is light on the fiber
Cap all un-terminated cables
Point connectors downward when working with cables
Never touch exposed fiber connectors tips

63
Optical Splitters
Splitters provide optical connections in pairs
Each 1x2 split equates to of the optical power
Splitters range from 1x2 up to 1x64 splitters
1x32 is the most common split ratio for POL

A single PON port on the

OLT connects to only one 1x2 (3 to 4 dB loss)
single-mode fiber

64
Optical Splitters
Splitters provide optical connections in pairs
Each 1x2 split equates to of the optical power
Splitters range from 1x2 up to 1x64 splitters
1x32 is the most common split ratio for POL

A single PON port on the

OLT connects to only one 1x4 (7 to 8 dB loss)
single-mode fiber

65
Optical Splitters
Splitters provide optical connections in pairs
Each 1x2 split equates to of the optical power
Splitters range from 1x2 up to 1x64 splitters
1x32 is the most common split ratio for POL

A single PON port on the

OLT connects to only one
1x8 (11 to 12 dB loss)
single-mode fiber

66
Optical Splitters
Splitters provide optical connections in pairs
Each 1x2 split equates to of the optical power
Splitters range from 1x2 up to 1x64 splitters
1x32 is the most common split ratio for POL

A single PON port on the

OLT connects to only one
1x16 (12 to 14 dB loss)
single-mode fiber

67
Optical Splitters
Splitters provide optical connections in pairs
Each 1x2 split equates to of the optical power
Splitters range from 1x2 up to 1x64 splitters
1x32 is the most common split ratio for POL

A single PON port on the

OLT connects to only one 1x32 (16 to
18 dB loss)
single-mode fiber

68
Demonstration: PON Power Meter

+3dBm Output from OLT

Measurements from OLT and ONT throughout OTN
-12 to -22 dBm at ONT
Agenda

PON in Detail OSP Considerations

PON to Passive Optical LAN Splitter Deployment
Methodologies
Deployment Methodologies
Fiber Deployment
Splitters
Fiber Loss and Budgeting
Fiber Cable Types
ONT Deployment Methodologies
Fiber Connector Types
Splicing
Current PON Types
BPON (Broadband PON) is an older version of PON technology which is based on ITU specifications and is
characterized by an asymmetrical 622 Mbps downstream and a 155 Mpbs upstream optical line rate. Earlier versions of
Verizons FiOS offering in the U.S. are based on BPON but more recent implementations of FiOS use GPON technology.
GPON (Gigabit PON) is the latest ITU specified PON network and is characterized by a 2.4 Gbps downstream and a 1.25
Gbps upstream optical line rate. A few GPON manufacturers are beginning to release 10Gbps downstream/2.4 Gbps
Upstream PON cards and ONTs which are described under the ITU specification G.987. The first significant commercial
deployments of GPON began in early 2008. Most carrier implementations of GPON are in the U.S. however it is beginning to
proliferate in European markets as well.
EPON (Gigabit Ethernet PON or GEPON) is an IEEE standards based PON system characterized by a symmetrical
1.25 Gbps optical line rate. EPON is the predominant PON solution since it has been commercially available since 2001.
GEPON has been primarily deployed in Asian Pacific markets. Recently, 10Gbit/s EPON or 10G-EPON was ratified as an
amendment (IEEE 802.3av) in the IEEE 802.3 standard and provides for an asymmetrical 10 Gbps downstream/1 Gbps
upstream rate as well as a symmetrical 10 Gbps rate.
WDM PON (Wave Division Multiplexing PON) is an emerging technology which leverages the optical advances of
dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) to provide a dedicated wavelength to a single ONT. Implementations range from
tunable optics which must be matched to the ONTs optics to a dynamic optical locking capability which automatically
assigns a wavelength to the ONT at the ranging phase. WDM PONs utilize an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) to multiplex
up to 32 wavelengths of light onto a single fiber in the same way a passive optical splitter does. Unlike a typical optical splitter
however, an AWG utilizes a phase shift in the optical light to provide an output on each fiber that only receives a certain
wavelength of light.
PON in Detail - Overview

Passive Optical Networks (PON)

are standards-based
communication architectures.
There are literally tens of millions
of subscribers utilizing PON for
voice, video and data service
(known as "triple play" service).
PON networks rely on wave
division multiplexing (WDM) and
lasers to provide triple play
services in an efficient and future
proof service offering.
WDM Methodology

Multiple wavelengths over the same

physical strand of glass
Wavelengths do not interfere with
each other
Allows multiple discreet
communications
"WDM operating principle" by Xens - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia
Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WDM_operating_principle.svg#mediaviewer/File:WDM_operating_principle.svg
WDM in PON
Downstream Communication
The OLT transmits a signal downstream that all of the ONTs receive (point-to-multipoint). In the downstream
direction, the information is broadcast on a specific color (wavelength) of laser light. The information is
encoded into digital form and given a specific address that matches a specific ONT. The ONT that matches
the address receives the signal and forwards the information to the end-user Ethernet port as depicted
below.
Upstream Communication
Since many ONTs are placed on the same fiber, each with their own laser, upstream communications
must be coordinated so that they do not interfere with each other. This is done by synchronizing the
ONTs and requiring each to send information to the OLT (Upstream) in a specific time window (TDM).
RF Video

Additionally, an analog signal can be

injected onto the same PON fiber, using yet
another color of light (WDM techniques).
This is called an overlay and is generally
used to carry broadcast TV to the users
location. As with data and voice
propagation, the light is a different color and
therefore does not interfere with the other
signals being carried on the fiber cable.
RF Video

1. Video Source (Coax)

2. Laser Transmitter
3. Erbium Doped Fiber
Amplifier (EDFA)
4. WDM
Feeder Fiber

From OLT to Splitter

OLT is typically SC/UPC Feeder
Splitter is typically SC/APC Fiber

From the OLT toward the splitters

connect fiber feeder network. This is
simply the individual fibers which
connect to the OLT's PON ports. The
typical number of feeder fibers is 4
to 112 per OLT depending on the
type and whether the chassis is fully
equipped with PON cards..
Optical Splitter
The term "passive" in Passive Optical Network refers to
the fact that the splitter requires no power as opposed to
an "active" device like the OLT or switches an a traditional
network. The splitter serves to optically replicate upstream
signals to a number of downstream fibers. The typical
number of fibers served in a PON network is 32. As the
splitter provides a replicated optical signal to all 32
subscribers downstream, it is simultaneously combining
those 32 fibers into a single feeder fiber in the upstream
direction. Consequently the optical splitter is sometimes
referred to as a splitter/combiner. The splitter will be
housed in a number of form factors.
 Distribution Fiber

The portion of the fiber network downstream

Distribution
of the optical splitter is known as the Fiber
distribution fiber. The distribution portion of a
PON represents those individual subscriber
connections that extend from the FDH to the
ONT. They may be bundled together over
distances in a group of fibers (again, typically
32 fibers) or they may extend as individual
drops to serve a small number of locations.
The distribution fibers are quite appropriately
referred to as the last mile in a service
provider network. It is important to note that
the distribution portion of a PON network
may contain other passive components for
terminating and organizing fibers.
Distribution Fiber - Outdoor

Indoor MDU Fiber Distribution Terminal Outdoor FDT for Aerial Installs Indoor/Outdoor FDT
(FDT)
Components Hands On

Demonstration on connectivity
Centralized Administration
Reduce Operations & Maintenance (O&M) by reduced the amount of equipment
managed
ONTs are managed by the OLT!
No powered devices in the middle of the network
Same location as user
Co-locate OLT with other IT gear
Same location as other gear
OLT handles activation, administration, and provision
No administration ports on ONTs
No replacement of cabling in 5-10 years
All of these benefits make it possible to significantly reduce the operations and
maintenance of a large campus network, helping owners realize a rapid return on
investment.
Inherent Reliability

Carrier-Class
Very high MTBF
99.999% (Five 9s) reliability
Redundancy throughout
Power
Backplane
Switch Fabric
Management
PON Ports/Cards
Feeder Fibers
No modification of data center services access only
Enhanced Security

Encryption
Authentication
TEMPEST
Standards
Central Administration
Fiber Optic Cabling
Superior Performance
Fiber offers far greater bandwidth and distance
Single generation of fiber has outlasted and outperformed seven generations of copper cable
Ease of Installation
Fiber has become increasingly easier to install while copper has become even more complex, attempting to keep up with
performance demands
No shielding is required to protect fiber optic cables from electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference
(RFI)
Fiber optic cables are easier to test and certify
Unmatched Security
Significantly harder to tap into than copper and not vulnerable to EMI
Fiber is inherently safer at keeping information secure
Easier Upgrades
Replace only the electronics, rather than replacing the entire infrastructure
Minimize your network downtime during expansions and upgrades
Smaller Footprint
Much smaller size
Lighter in weight than copper cables providing the same capacity
Reduced Bend Radius Fiber
Microbends and Macrobends
A microbend is a small, microscopic bend that may be caused by the cabling process
itself, packaging, installation, or mechanical stress due to water in the cable during
repeated freeze and thaw cycles. External forces are also a source of microbends. An
external force deforms the cable jacket surrounding the fiber, but causes only a small
bend in the fiber. A microbend typically changes the path that propagating modes take,
resulting in loss from increased attenuation as the light is absorbed into the fiber
cladding.
A macrobend is a larger cable bend that can be seen with the unaided eye and is
often reversible. As the macrobend occurs, the radius can become too small and allow
light to escape the core and enter the cladding. The result is insertion loss at best and,
in worse cases, the signal is decreased or completely lost. Both microbends and
macrobends can, however, be reduced and even prevented through proper fiber
handling and routing.
PLC Splitter

Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) Splitter

More Expensive
Uniform Output
Most appropriate for outdoor use
Manufacturing
1. Waveguide used to split the optical signal is fabricated using a silicon dioxide chip.
2. Involves a lithographic process similar to that used in the manufacture of silicon computer chips. PLC splitters
provide the most uniformity between fiber outputs (the downstream fibers) with respect to the amount of
optical loss measured on each fiber.
Best choice when loss is critical
FBT Splitter
Fused Biconical Taper (FBT) splitter
Lower Cost
Typically less uniform from fiber to fiber.
Manufacturing
1. Thermally fused two overlapping fibers together under tension
2. The resulting fusion splice creates a two by two splitter.
3. Typically, one of these fiber connections is trimmed off and the result is a single fiber subtending to two fibers.
4. These two fiber outputs can then be fused to additional one-by-two splitters until the desired number of splits
is achieved.
Used where extreme temperature variations or other environmental factors are not
likely to cause the optics connected at the ends of the fiber to drift from their optimum
wavelength specifications.
2xN Splitters

2 Inputs
2 to 64 Outputs
Second Input Allows
Redundant feeders/PON Ports/PON Cards/OLTs
Easier Migration to 10G
Flexibility for the Future
Break 15 Minutes
Passive Optical LAN Design
Deployment Methodologies

IDFs
Zones
Fiber Terminals
OSP
Hybrid
IDFs

Splitters are rack-mounted or installed in fiber housing modules

Fiber is terminated on patch panels
Rack-Mount ONTs may be co-located for special use situations
Fiber Zone Hub

Replaces the IDF

Provides maximum ROI for POL
Accepts feeder/riser fiber
Houses splitters
Location for cross-connects
Termination for horizontal distribution fiber
Fiber Terminals

Adds flexibility to horizontal distribution

Uses multi-strand cable from splitter to terminal
Provides patch point closer to users
Additional Cost
OSP Deployment

OSP options can be mixed with LAN options

Be careful of mixing manufacturer product lines
Many options due to PON history in
telecommunications
Hybrid Deployments

Some deployments choosing hybrid deployments

Hybrid Ideas
Keep IDFs for rack-mount ONTs, but use fiber zone
hubs
Put ONTs in active zone box and run category cabling
to user
Use 100% rack-mount ONTs in retrofit scenario
Fiber Connectors

SC/APC is default standard in PON networks

Allows for insertion of broadcast video
Easy to handle
Works well with simplex fiber
SC/UPC and LC (UPC and APC) also used
APC and UPC

Ultra Physical Contact Connectors (UPC)

Blue

Angled Physical Connectors (APC)

Green
APC and UPC

APC connectors reduce

reflectance
Reduce damage to
transmitters and amplifiers
High Return Loss = Good
Terminations - Splicing

Fusion Splicing
Up-front cost or Rental
Low Loss
Mechanical Splicing
Higher Loss
More difficult on APC
More cost per termination
Splitter Deployment

Single Splitter
One splitter in the Optical Distribution Network
All splitter loss is at one location
Works for 99% of POL deployments
Splitter Deployment

Cascaded Splits
Used when end users are geographically dispersed
Campus out-buildings
Loss from splitters in path must be summed

Engineered Splits
Loss may favor a particular output
 Optical Budget
Maximum loss for a GPON is 28 dB
(32 dB with C+ Optics).
Launch power (1.5 to 5 dBm), optical
degradation and receiver sensitivity
(-27 to -8 dBm) are primary factors in
PON considerations
Splitters, fiber, splice and connector
losses (dirty connectors) are the
primary factors that affect the optical
degradation/loss
Downstream signal is at 1490
nm; upstream at 1310 nm
Other wavelengths: 1550 and
1590
10G adds additional
wavelengths
Since the optical loss is greater
at 1310 nm, loss calculations
are normally made at 1310 nm
Distance is a function of
available light level
Optical Budget Scenario
 Optical Level Testing
Typical Test Points in a Passive Optical LAN
Output at OLT:
1490nm @ ~ +3dBm
Testing for Bad PON SFP/OLT Fault
At Splitter Outputs:
1490nm @ -11dBm to -24dBm
Testing for optical loss issue between OLT and splitter output
1310nm @ -10dBm to 0dBm
Testing for optical loss issue between splitter and ONT
At ONT:
1490nm @ -12dBm to -25dBm
Testing for optical loss issue between OLT and ONT
1310nm @ ~ 0dBm
Testing for ONT failure
ONT Deployment Options

Desktop
Free-standing or desk-mounted
Active Zone Box
Rack Mount
In-wall
ONT Deployment - Desktop

Most Common
Inexpensive
Many options
Acceptance Required
Requires Power
ONT Deployment Rack-Mount

Solution for WAPs, Security Cameras, Wall Phones,

ONT is secured
Power Required
ONT Deployment In-Wall

Fewer Aesthetic Concerns

Power Considerations
Remote or Local?
Additional Installation Requirements and complexity
Should be deployed in specific areas only:
Conference centers
Areas with sensitive aesthetic concerns
Areas subject to frequent furniture reconfiguraiton
ONT Deployment Ceiling/Wall/Floor

Ceiling Box
Wall Box
Floor Box
Special Situations
ONT is secured
Power Required
Good Design Summary

Meets customer requirements

Provides a value to the customer:
Reduced Cost
Power/Space/Cooling
Performance
Longevity
Is not overly complex
Makes customer happy!
Design Scenario Challenge

Challenge Determine the quantity of each

component required for Passive Optical LAN design

Assumptions:
1. Using pre-terminated fiber throughout
2. Zone Box architecture maximum 96 fibers per zone
3. 12-Strand Riser/Feeder to each zone
4. No overbuild/sparing
5. OLT is located in basement
 Design Scenario Challenge
Basement 1st Floor 2nd Floor 3rd Floor
Category Description Unit Qty Qty Qty Qty
OLT Jumper Simplex SC/APC-SC/UPC 3MM OFNP SMF-28e 10FT EA

Riser Fiber Rack Mount Fiber Shelf EA

Riser Fiber MPO Trunk 12 Strand SMF-28e Plenum 175FT EA

Riser Fiber MPO Trunk 12 Strand SMF-28e Plenum 225FT EA

Riser Fiber MPO Trunk 12 Strand SMF-28e Plenum 250FT EA

Incomplete Bill of Materials

Riser Fiber 12-Fiber MPO-SC/APC Cassette Module EA

Zone Box 1X32 Splitter SC/APC Input/Output with Tails EA

Zone Box Fiber Zone Hub EA

Zone Box Fiber Zone Hub Installation Kit EA

Zone Box 12 PORT PANEL SC/APC Simplex Cassette Module EA

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 75FT EA

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 125FT EA

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 175FT EA

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 225FT EA

Total Lit Fibers Fibers Faceplate Single Gang Faceplate with Simplex SC/APC Connector EA

Floor Fiber without ONT With ONT ONT Jumper Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28e 10 FT EA

Basement 22 7 15
1st
2nd
63
57
12
9
51
48
Building Design Summary
3rd 67 15 52 Fill in Quantities
Totals: 209 43 166
Design Scenario Challenge

Assumptions:
1. Using pre-terminated fiber throughout
2. Zone Box architecture maximum 96 fibers per zone
3. 12-Strand Riser/Feeder to each zone Total Lit Fibers Fibers
Floor Fiber without ONT With ONT
4. No overbuild/sparing Basement 22 7 15
1st 63 12 51
5. OLT is located in basement 2nd 57 9 48
3rd 67 15 52
Totals: 209 43 166
Design Scenario Answers
Basement 1st Floor 2nd Floor 3rd Floor
Category Description Unit Qty Qty Qty Qty
OLT Jumper Simplex SC/APC-SC/UPC 3MM OFNP SMF-28e 10FT EA 1 3 2 3

Riser Fiber Rack Mount Fiber Shelf EA 1 0 0 0

Riser Fiber MPO Trunk 12 Strand SMF-28e Plenum 175FT EA 0 1 0 0

Riser Fiber MPO Trunk 12 Strand SMF-28e Plenum 225FT EA 0 0 1 0

Riser Fiber MPO Trunk 12 Strand SMF-28e Plenum 250FT EA 0 0 0 1

Riser Fiber 12-Fiber MPO-SC/APC Cassette Module EA 3 1 1 1

Zone Box 1X32 Splitter SC/APC Input/Output with Tails EA 1 3 2 3

Zone Box Fiber Zone Hub EA 0 1 1 1

Zone Box Fiber Zone Hub Installation Kit EA 0 1 1 1

Zone Box 12 PORT PANEL SC/APC Simplex Cassette Module EA 2 6 5 6

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 75FT EA 3 3 2 4

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 125FT EA 9 28 28 30

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 175FT EA 9 27 26 28

Horizontal Fiber Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28E 225FT EA 1 5 1 5

Faceplate Single Gang Faceplate with Simplex SC/APC Connector EA 22 63 57 67

ONT Jumper Simplex SC/APC-SC/APC 3MM OFNP SMF-28e 10 FT EA 15 51 48 52

Design Questions

What challenges have you seen?

What problems have you seen POL solve?

Questions and Discussion
Thank You!
Contact Information

Matt Miller
Principal Systems Engineer, Leidos
Phone: 443.994.6456 | Email: matt.miller@leidos.com