Fiber Optical PLC Splitters in Different Communication Network Structures

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

1. Centralized distribution of the PLC splitter

The centralized distribution of PLC splitter is that the fiber optical PLC splitter is centrally installed at a certain position between the optical line terminal (OLT) and the optical network unit (ONT), and the signals from the local side are centrally split and processed, and then transmitted separately to each end-user. It is more suitable for network applications where users are more concentrated. The splitting ratio of the fiber optical PLC splitter used here is usually 1:32 and 1:64.

The PLC splitter used in the optical fiber distribution hub has tray type, cassette type, and ABS box type; the fiber optical PLC splitter used in the optical fiber terminal box has bare fiber type and so on.

2. Cascade distribution of the PLC splitter

The biggest difference between the cascade distribution and the centralized distribution is that the cascade distribution has two-level light splitting (the centralized distribution has only one-level light splitting). Each fiber optical PLC splitter with PLC chip is distributed, and the splitting ratio of the primary splitter is 1:4, and the splitting ratio of the secondary splitter is 1:8. This distribution method is more complicated than the centralized distribution of PLC splitters, but it can maximize the use of optical fiber resources. In addition, the cabling is flexible, which is more suitable for network applications where users are more dispersed. The PLC splitter suitable for this application includes bare fiber type, micro type, ABS box type and so on.