How does GPON work?

 

As we have seen Gigabyte PON works mainly through optical fiber communication. But that is not all.

Gigabyte PON works like this:

1. Each Gigabyte PON network starts with a service node, which is a data center that is part of the provider's network delivery infrastructure.

2. These service nodes are connected to the larger network through a service node interface (SNI), which is a connector that enables the connection.

3. The connection runs from the service node through the SNI to the optical line terminal (OLT). Because the range of a gigabyte PON network is limited to about 12 miles, service providers typically install multiple OLTs at key locations where they provide network access. The OLT acts as a central hub for the network, allowing it to provide network access to multiple users simultaneously.

4. To allow the network to be deployed to multiple users, the OLT must pass the signal through a passive GPON optical splitter. This splitter literally splits the signal into equal-sized data bundles. A single network can have multiple splitters depending on the number of users. However, due to the design of the technology, a single fiber cannot serve more than 64 end users.

5. After passing through the optical splitter, the signal finally reaches the Optical Network Unit at the user's end. The ONU receives the data from the OLT, interprets it and distributes it to the end user so that the end user can enjoy the content transmitted over the network.

It is important to point out that this entire process relies on the Optical Distribution Network or ODN.

ODN is a framework of Passive Optical Components (POCs) that includes all the above devices and the optical fiber itself.

They are passive because they do not require power to operate and transmit signals both upstream and downstream.