Optical Fiber has revolutionized the telecommunications industry in the past few decades, with PLC splitters as a key component of passive optical networks (PON) that make fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections possible. While PLC splitters are typically symmetric, meaning they divide optical signals evenly between output ports, the less typical asymmetric PLC splitters have drawn the attention of industry players, due to the several appealing advantages for end-users, including installation, and other applications.
While symmetric PLC splitters are typically used in centralized splits, where the splitter is in a single location and splits the signal evenly between multiple output ports, asymmetric PLC splitters can have uneven split ratios, custom splits or can consolidate different single chips into a one-piece chip. Asymmetric PLC splitters can be used in distributed splits where the splitter is located closer to the end-user, or for example in a daisy-chain architecture, where multiple splitters are connected in series to divide the signal unevenly. This can be particularly useful in FTTH deployments, where the cost of running fiber to individual households can be reduced by using a daisy-chain architecture.
Lee Jin, R&D director for Ensure explains the kind of benefits one can expect from asymmetric splitting. Using the example of the daisy-chain architecture, Jin notes that “the exclusivity of the design and product give producer and client the first-mover advantage. With an optimized bespoke design, competitors in the market will not have access to the same, or the ability to copy in a timely manner”.
Carlos Barragan, International Business Director for Ensure, expands, “We’re familiar with the vast benefits of asymmetric splitting, as at present we are one of the few PLC wafer & chip manufacturers with the advanced technology and equipment required to do such specialized customizations. Given our years’ experience and dedication to providing premium quality, when it comes to scaling up operations based on market or customer demands, we’re always ready to produce the necessary capacity and quality required to advance our client’s networks exponentially” – and advance it does!
The advantages of asymmetric PLC splitters for end-users include greater flexibility in configuring networks, lower deployment costs, reduced set-up time, and improved monitoring capabilities. For installation, the specialized splicing required for asymmetric PLC splitters can be a disadvantage, but this is offset by the flexibility and monitoring capabilities of the splitter.
The asymmetric PLC splitter represents an important piece of the puzzle for creating such benefits, therefore it is equally important to ensure that the quality, reliability, and longevity of the splitter will allow it to meet all expectations.
Each one of the PLC splitters needs to be carefully manufactured in-house with meticulous control of the entire production chain, ensuring the most reliable connectivity is guaranteed.
With quality established, expert proficiency for customization options for PLC splitters is what can dramatically optimize the performance of clients’ varying architectures. These chips, renowned for their superior optical performance, stability, and reliability, play an integral part in PONs, allowing multiple subscribers to receive light signals simultaneously.
The competitive advantage for a manufacturer of PLC splitters that is proficient in customization to produce asymmetric PLC splitters is significant, particularly for end-users and FTTH deployments.
By sourcing an experienced provider, with expertise in producing premium-quality connectivity components and customization capabilities, as a client, you can gain a sizable advantage beyond the market standard. An ideal partner for providing bespoke, tailored solutions should practice premium quality manufacturing, testing, and inspection processes, as well as guarantee the chips’ superior optical performance, along with secure stability, and reliability.
Utilizing these capabilities for deploying novel splitting structures with asymmetric splitters, clients can surely optimize the potential of their PON network performance.