Tag Archives: PLC Splitter

Differences Between FBT Splitter and PLC Splitter

Nowadays, with the further popularization of the optical fiber communication, fiber optic splitter plays an increasing significant role in many of today’s optical network topologies. Although there are variations of splitter types, the two most commonly deployed splitters are FBT (Fused Biconical Taper) splitter and PLC (Planar Lightwave Circuit) splitter. So, when you deploy your network, what kind of splitter you should choose may be a problem for you. And in order to solve this problem, this paper will give you a detailed introduction of differences between FBT splitter and PLC splitter.

Definition of FBT Splitter and PLC Splitter

Before you get to know the features of them, first you should know what them are. Next, each splitter will be introduced.

FBT Splitter – FBT is a traditional technology that two fibers are typically twisted and fused together while the assembly is being elongated and tapered. The fused fibers are protected by a glass substrate and then protected by a stainless steel tube, typically 3mm diameter by 54mm long. FBT splitters are widely accepted and used in passive optical networks, especially for instances where the split configuration is not more than 1×4. The slight drawback of this technology is when larger split configurations such as 1×16, 1×32 and 1×64 are needed.

PLC splitter – A PLC splitter is a micro-optical component based on planar lightwave circuit technology and provides a low cost light distribution solution with small form factor and high reliability. It is manufactured using silica glass waveguide circuits that are aligned with a V-groove fiber array chip that uses ribbon fiber. Once everything is aligned and bonded, it is then packaged inside a miniature housing. PLC Splitter has high quality performance, such as low insertion loss, low PDL (Polarization Dependent Loss), high return loss and excellent uniformity over a wide wavelength range from 1260 nm to 1620 nm and have an operating temperature -40°C to +85°C.

Feature Comparison of FBT Splitter and PLC Splitter

In the past few years, splitter technology has made a huge step forward, especially the PLC splitter technology. This situation resulted in that PLC splitter has become a higher reliable type of device compared to the traditional FBT splitter. Although being similar in size and appearance, the internally technologies behind these types vary, thus giving service providers a possibility to choose a more appropriate solution.

Operating Wavelength – As is mentioned above, PLC splitter can provide a range of operating wavelength from 1260 nm to 1620 nm. But FBT splitters only support three wavelengths (850/1310/1550 nm) which makes these devices unable to operate on other wavelengths.

Operating Temperature – Commonly, FTB splitter is to a high extent temperature sensitive, providing a stable working range of -5 °C to 75 °C. While PLC splitter operates at wider temperature range (-40 °C to 85 °C), allowing its deploying in the areas of extreme climate.

Split Ratio – The split ratio of FBT splitter is 1:8 and it can be higher with higher failure rate. The split ratio of PLC splitter can go up to 64, which is equal to all branches, thus providing a high reliability.

Cost – FBT splitter is made out of materials that are easily available, for example steel, fiber, hot dorm and others. All of these materials are low-price, which determines the low cost of the device itself. PLC splitter manufacturing technology is more complex. It uses semiconductor technology (lithography, etching, developer technology) production, hence it is more difficult to manufacture. Therefore, the price of this device is higher.

FBT and PLC splitter feature comparison

Conclusion

In a word, Compared with FBT splitter, the capacity of PLC splitter is better, but costlier than the FBT splitter in the smaller ratios. You can choose it according to your requirements. Fiberstore offers both FBT splitter and PLC splitter with good quality and low price. Whether in FTTx systems or in traditional optic network, Fiberstore splitter can help you to maximize the functionality of optical network circuits.

The Applications about the Analysis of the Optical Splitter

Function of a fiber optic splitter, as far as I know, it is used to distribute a signal to more than one fiber optical receiver, such as in DVB-T services, because of that can reduce the RF performance of the analogue fiber optic connection, there is a point i have to explain, RF, just Radio Frequency, it is usually in telecommunication industry. In fact, we are bound to say that that it does offer the advantage of a reduction in the number and therefore cost of optical transmitters. And relative, multimode fiber splitter distributing a signal from a single source to multiple destinations offers a significant performance advantage over the use of optical splitters. The exponential increase in demand for bandwidth is forcing access networks to extend the amount of bandwidth they can support. Traditionally based on “static” allocation of time slots per user (or TDM) and passive optical splitters, these systems are struggling to keep pace with the rise in line-rate as it cuts away link budget and therefore splitting ratio and network reach. One attractive alternative for passive splitting is the point of wavelength division.

optical splitter module

We know that fiber optical splitter are available in a number of split rations, they are characterised by the inherent loss associated with the split ratio, added to a excess loss that depends on the design and construction of the splitter and the optical splitters themselves are very compact typically 65 x 15 x 15 mm, and split rations of 1×2,1×4, 1×8, 1×16 optical splitters are examined and compared with a straight through 1×1 system. Optical losses quoted are typical of readily available optical splitters. There are two techniques for manufacturing Splitters: Fused Biconical Taper (FBT splitter) and Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC splitter). A 1×2 FBT splitter is made in precisely fusing two fibers together. Higher split ratios are obtained by cascading multiple 1×2 splitters. A PLC splitter consists of a microscopic optical circuit that is typically etched in silicon.

application

We fiberstore have some branches in Europe and US, of course some of the Asian regions, probably only suitable solution for high bandwidth demand with a long reach is using optical cable to customers (FTTx). One of the ways is using some type of Passive Optical Network (PON), such as ftth splitter. Gigabit PON (GPON) is the most often type used by European and US providers (in addition to APON and BPON) while providers in Asia predominantly use EPON/GePON. Probably only suitable solution for high bandwidth demand with a long reach is using optical cable to consumers (FTTx). One of the approaches is using some type of Passive Optical Network (PON). Gigabit PON (GPON) is the most often type used by European and US providers (in addition to APON and BPON) while providers in Asia predominantly use EPON/GePON. At this point, the splitting device simply divides the optical power into N separate paths to the subscribers. The number of splitting paths can vary from 2 to 64. From the optical splitter, individual single-mode fiber strand run to each user (home, businesses, etc.). Branches components of a fiber optic communications network, experimental fiber optic devices and any other application requiring highly reliable splitting combining of optical lines. The optical fiber transmission span from the central office to the each user can be up to 20km. Fiberstore provides devices to solve this problem. If you have the needs. Fiberstore will be your choice.