PON which is Passive Optical Network replaced traditional and typical ethernet network for faster data communication, efficient manageability and low maintenance cost. The technology is FTTx (Fiber To The x) which means we may connect fiber optical cable at Home, Cabinet, Building, Office or any business point

Following is a brief history of PON technology -

1995 - PON research technology was originated

1998, October - ATM-based PON technology through ITU

2000 - EFMA (Ethernet the First Mile Alliance) proposed Ethernet-PON (EPON) concept

2002, September - GPON (Gigabit PON) proposed by ITU

 

Following are the comparison diagram among fiber MC (Media converter) network, a fiber network with SFP switch and FTTx network

In FTTx technology there are 2 common categories. One is EPON and another one is GPON

Following is a brief difference between EPON and GPON

 GPON (Gigabit PON)

 EPON (Ethernet PON)

 Standard

 ITU-T

 IEEE

 Bandwidth

 2.5Gbps (Download)

 1.25Gbps (Upload)

 1.25Gbps (Download)

 1.25Gbps (Upload)

 Splitting ratio

 1:128 (highest)

 1:64 (highest)

 Protocol

ATM, Ethernet, TDM

Ethernet

The main advantage is we may provide 3 individual services (Data, Voice and Video) through a single filer cable. Following diagram shows a typical FTTx network along with 3 services

Now a days with this FTTx technology we may implement a large fiber network which call POL (Passible Optical LAN)