Media splitters

If you’re familiar with passive optical networking, whetherin the LAN or in the outside plant FTTX world, you likely know what an opticalsplitter (or beam splitter) does. In basic terms, optical splitters aresimple passive devices that split incoming light signals into multiple signals. But did you know that there are two distinct types ofsplitters—planar lightwave circuit (PLC) splitters (sometimes called planarwaveguide circuit splitters) and fused biconical tapered (FBT) splitters? Let’sexamine how these different splitters work and some key considerations. PLCs – An Equal Split PLC splitters are the primary splitter type used in passiveoptical LANs and outside plant FTTX networks (e.g., GPON, EPON, etc.). Theysplit an incoming signal from an optical line terminal (OLT) into multipleoutput signals that serve optical network terminals (ONTs) or optical networkunits (ONUs) located at work areas, homes, or businesses. PLC splitters dividesignals equally and are denoted with a 1XN or 2XN splitter ratio, where thefirst number is the number of inputs and N is the number of outputs. This isaccomplished using a semiconductor optical splitter chip based on a quartzsubstrate with integrated waveguiding technology. PLC splitters arehigh-quality with low failure rates that offer precise equal splitting for 1260nm to 1650 nm operating wavelengths. PLC splitters can split one incoming fiber signal into asmany as 64 signals, commonly available in 1X2, 1X4, 1X8, 1X12, 1X16, 1X32, or 1X64ratios. Ratios are selected depending on factors, such as required speed,distance, and number of users, with higher 1X64 ratios typically limited toshorter lengths. Splitters with a 1X32 ratio are common in passive opticalLANs, such as our rack-mount1U PLC splitter . Sometimes multiple splitters will be used in a cascadedapproach, starting with a smaller ratio such as 1X4 located in the distributionnetwork and then each of the four outputs connecting to a 1X8 splitter for atotal of 32 outputs. Using cascaded splitters rather than a centralizedapproach can make it difficult to optimize OLT ports and creates multiplepoints of access that can hinder troubleshooting. However, some serviceproviders use the cascade approach in FTTX deployments to reduce the amount offiber needed in their distribution networks. Some splitters come with two incoming signals, such as 2X8, 2X16,2X32, or 2X64. Dual income splitters are used for redundancy where the twoincoming signals come from separate OLTs or line cards within an OLT. If oneincoming signal fails, the other can take over. Passive optical LANs leveragethis redundancy like a traditional switched LAN might use two separate switchesor blades (primary and secondary), especially for mission-critical applications. FBTs – A Cost-Effective Option FBTsplitters differ from PLC splitters in that they can split an input signalinto unequal signals at a specific percentage. While they can split signalequally in 1X2, 1X3, 1X4, and 1X8 ratios, FBT splitters aren’t recommended for ratiosgreater than 1X4. For asymmetrical splits, 1X2 FBT splitters can pretty muchaccommodate any desired ratio, including 40/60, 30/70, 20/80, 10/90, 5/95,1/99, etc. FBT splitters work by fusing two or more pieces of optical fiber.This process makes FBT splitters less expensive than PLC splitters. However, asPLC splitter technology has advanced and

Gained market share, the costdifferential has come down. The important thing to know about FBT splitters is that theyonly support 850 nm, 1310 nm, and 1550 nm wavelengths. They are also notconsidered as reliable as PLC splitters. Their split ratios are not as precice,they have a more limited operating temperature, and they are more susceptibleto failure—especially at higher split ratios. But they do have their place. FBT splitters can be a cost-effectiveoption for simple applications that do not require high split ratios, or whereyou need to split a signal unequally. This makes them a good option for smallerpassive optical LAN and rural FTTX deployments. The key consideration of usingFBT splitters in FTTX applications is the limited wavelengths, which couldprevent them from supporting future applications. FBT splitters are also ideal for passive monitoringapplications where a network management system can use a percentage of thesignal to monitor critical links. For example, our H28² Tapcassettes utilize this splitter technology to transmit data into two paths—onethat transmits to the original location and the other that transmits copiedinformation to a monitoring port for traffic monitoring. A Note about Loss In any passive optical network, the optical splitter is thecomponent with the most insertion loss. The insertion loss also increases withincreased split ratios. For example, a 1X8 PLC splitter will exhibit a typicalinsertion loss of about 11.5 dB, while a 1X32 PLC splitter exhibits about 15dB. FBT and PLC splitters have similar insertion loss values for low splits,but beyond a 1X8, FBT splitter loss increases substantially. Because FBTsplitters have a smaller operating temperature range than PLC splitters, it’simportant to note that insertion loss will increase if the splitter is out ofrange. Because of the loss associated with splitters, the maximuminsertion loss for a passive optical LAN is 28 dB with a minimum of 13 dB—a farcry from the 1.9 dB for a 40 Gig multimode channel in a switched network. Aswith any optical network, you can use a power meter to easily check loss on each wavelength. The good news is thatCables Plus, USA, offers a variety of optical splitters, including FBT splitters in various asymmetricalsplit ratios and PLC splitters in 1X2, 1X4, 1X8, 1X12, 1X16, and 1X32 ratios,as well as our HD8² TAP Cassettes. Just contact us at sales@cablesplususa.com, and we’ll help you choose the right splitter to suityour needs.

Well, don't blame me. I didn't ask to sell this stuff. REG: All right. Bag of otters' noses, then. FRANCIS: Make it two. REG: Two. FRANCIS: Thanks, Reg. BRIAN: Are you the Judean People's Front? REG: Fuck off! BRIAN: What? REG: Judean People's Front. We're the People's Front of Judea! Judean People's Front. Cawk. FRANCIS: Wankers. BRIAN: Can I... join your group? REG: No. Piss off. BRIAN: I didn't want to sell this stuff. It's only a job. I hate the Romans as much as anybody. PEOPLE'S FRONT OF JUDEA: Shhhh. Shhhh. Shhh. Shh. Shhhh. REG: Stumm. JUDITH: Are you sure? BRIAN: Oh, dead sure. I hate the Romans already. REG: Listen. If you wanted to join the P.F.J., you'd have to really hate the Romans. BRIAN: I do! REG: Oh, yeah? How much? BRIAN: A lot! REG: Right. You're in. Listen. The only people we hate more than the Romans are the fucking Judean People's Front. P.F.J.: Yeah... JUDITH: Splitters. P.F.J.: Splitters... FRANCIS: And the Judean Popular People's Front. P.F.J.: Yeah. Oh, yeah. Splitters. Splitters... LORETTA: And the People's Front of Judea. P.F.J.: Yeah. Splitters. Splitters... REG: What? LORETTA: The People's Front of Judea. Splitters. REG: We're the People's Front of Judea! LORETTA: Oh. I thought we were the Popular Front. REG: People's Front! C-huh. FRANCIS: Whatever happened to the Popular Front, Reg? REG: He's over there. P.F.J.: Splitter! GOLIATH: pant pant pant Ooh. Ooh. I-- I think I'm about to have a... cardiac arrest. Ooh. Ooh. SPECTATOR: Absolutely dreadful. Hmm. CROWD: cheering REG: Yes, brother! Ha ha. What's your name? BRIAN: Brian. Brian Cohen. REG: We may have a little job for you, Brian.