Download Broadband Passive Optical Networking (BPON)

SBC COMMUNICATIONS INC.
BROADBAND PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK (BPON)
OVERVIEW
No power
One fiber serves many
homes or businesses
Central
Office
Splitter
WDM carries multiple
signals over one fiber
Virtually
unlimited
bandwidth
potential
32 homes
or
12 businesses
WDM
mux
Broadband Passive Optical Networking (BPON)
BPON is a combination of Passive Optical Networking (PON) and Wavelength Division
Multiplexing (WDM).
Passive Optical Networking (PON)
PON differs significantly from earlier direct fiber technologies and copper-line
infrastructures. It enables the shared use of fiber for most of the distance between a
central office and the customer. The passive optical splitter that fans the fiber out to
customers is about the size of a pack of chewing gum, uses no electronics and requires
no power source. These characteristics make PON significantly less expensive to deploy
and operate.
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
WDM divides light signals into different colors (wavelengths). Each color of light has its
own wavelength and its own frequency. The electronic equipment on each end of the
fiber can distinguish the different signals by their color. Combining several different
wavelengths on the same fiber is referred to as multiplexing. At the termination point,
these wavelengths must be separated again, which is known as demultiplexing.
In the PON architecture, WDM enables multiple transmissions to and from customers to
travel as different colors of light over the same fiber, allowing a single fiber connection to
serve multiple homes and businesses.
For more information, contact: Ashley Blaker, 214-665-1313, [email protected]