Defintion

Fiber to the x (FTTX) is a generic term for any broadband network architecture using optical fiber

FTTX is a generalization for several configurations of fibre deployment FTTP/FTTH/FTTB (Fiber laid
all the way to the premises/home/building)

Optical distribution networks

A. Direct fiber
The simplest optical distribution network architecture is direct fiber: each fiber leaving the central
office goes to exactly one customer. Such networks can provide excellent bandwidth but are more
costly due to the fiber and central office machinery.[19]

B. Shared fiber
More commonly, each fiber leaving the central office is actually shared by many customers
Types:

1. Active optical network

AONs rely on electrically powered network equipment to distribute the signal, such as a switch
or router. Normally, signals need optical-electrical-optical transformation in the AON. Each
signal leaving the central office is directed only to the customer for whom it is intended.

2. Passive optical network

A passive optical network (PON) is a point-to-multipoint FTTP network architecture in which only
uses fiber and passive components like splitters and combiners rather than active components
like amplifiers, repeaters, or shaping circuits. Such networks cost significantly less than those
using active components. The main disadvantage is a shorter range of coverage limited by
signal strength.
Types:

1. BPON, or broadband PON, was the most popular PON application in the beginning. BPON
uses ATM as the protocol. ATM is widely used for telephone networks and the methods of
transporting all data types (voice, Internet, video, etc.) are well known. BPON digital signals
operate at ATM rates of 155, 622 and 1244 Mb/s.

2. EPON or Ethernet PON is based on the IEEE standard for Ethernet in the First Mile. It uses
packet-based transmission at 1 Gb/s with 10 Gb/s under discussion. EPON is fully compatible
with other Ethernet standards, so no conversion or encapsulation is necessary when connecting
to Ethernet-based networks on either end. The same Ethernet frame is used with a payload of
up to 1518 bytes. EPON does not use the CSMA/CD access method used in other versions of
Ethernet.

3. GPON, or gigabit-capable PON, uses an IP-based protocol and either ATM or GEM (GPON
encapsulation method) encoding. Data rates of up to 2.5 Gb/s are specified and it is very flexible
in what types of traffic it carries. GPON enables “triple play” (voice-data-video) and is the basis
of most planned FTTP applications in the near future. In the diagram above, one merely drops
the AM Video at the CO and carries digital video over the downstream digital link.Most current
networks use GPON, or Gigabit PON. The ITU-T standard is G.984. It delivers 2.488 Gbits/s
downstream and 1.244 Gbits/s upstream.

GPON also uses a generic encapsulation method to carry other protocols. It can encapsulate
Ethernet, IP, TCP, UDP, T1/E1, video, VoIP, or other protocols as called for by the data
transmission. Minimum packet size is 53 bytes, and the maximum is 1518. AES encryption is
used downstream only.

PARTS:

1. Optical Line Terminal (OLT)

The main function of OLT is to control the information float across the ODN, going both
directions, while being located in a central office. OLT is a equipment integrating L2/L3 switch
function in GEPON system. In general, OLT equipment contains rack, CSM (Control and Switch
Module), ELM (EPON Link Module, PON card), redundancy protection -48V DC power supply
modules or one 110/220V AC power supply module, and fans.

2. Optical Network Unit (ONU)

ONU converts optical signals transmitted via fiber to electrical signals. ONU could be
connected by various methods and cable types, like twisted-pair copper wire, coaxial cable,
optical fiber or Wi-Fi.

3. Optical Network Terminal (ONT)

Actually, ONT is the same as ONU in essence. ONT is an ITU-T term, whereas ONU is an IEEE
term. They both refer to the user side equipment in GEPON system. But in practice, there is a
little difference between ONT and ONU according to their location. ONT is generally on
customer premises.