ACTIVE AND PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORKS

Summary

This video covers the concepts of Active and Passive Optical Networks (AON and PON). It explains the components and working of both networks, highlighting the use of fiber optic cables and switches in AON and passive elements in PON. The video also explores the types of Passive Optical Networks, including ATM-based, Ethernet, and Gigabit PON, with comparisons of their data rates, protocols, and quality of service mechanisms. The discussion emphasizes the benefits of each system, such as higher bandwidth, better security, and scalability, while noting the maintenance costs of AON and the simplicity of PON.

Takeaways

• 😀 AON (Active Optical Network) uses powered Ethernet switches for data transmission over fiber optic cables.
• 😀 In AON, data flows from the service provider through the fiber optic cable to the active Ethernet switch, which processes and directs it to different users.
• 😀 Key features of AON include high bandwidth per customer, better security, scalability, and a drawback of high maintenance costs.
• 😀 PON (Passive Optical Network) uses passive components, reducing the need for powered switches and lowering maintenance costs.
• 😀 The main components of a PON include the OLT (Optical Line Terminal), optical distribution network, optical splitter, and ONU (Optical Network Unit).
• 😀 OLT connects the internet to the PON, accepting data from users and sending it to the internet, while the ODN distributes the data.
• 😀 The optical splitter in PON splits the incoming signal to multiple users, without the need for power to operate the switch.
• 😀 The ONU converts optical signals to electrical signals, which are needed for end-user devices such as TVs and computers.
• 😀 There are three major types of PON: ATM PON (APON), Ethernet PON (EPON), and Gigabit PON (GPON).
• 😀 APON uses the ATM protocol with data rates of 155 Mbps downstream and 622 Mbps upstream, though it is now outdated.
• 😀 EPON uses the Ethernet protocol with a data rate of 1.25 Gbps for both upstream and downstream, expandable to 10 Gbps.
• 😀 GPON supports high-bandwidth applications with data rates of 2.5 Gbps downstream and 1.25 Gbps upstream, and features advanced QoS mechanisms.
• 😀 PON protocols differ: APON uses ATM, EPON uses IEEE 802.3, and GPON uses ITU-T G.984.
• 😀 In terms of symmetry, APON and GPON are asymmetrical, while EPON is symmetrical in terms of upstream and downstream data rates.

Q & A

What is an Active Optical Network (AON)?

An Active Optical Network (AON) uses fiber optic cables for data transmission and powered devices such as switches to control and distribute data to end users.

What is the role of the active Ethernet switch in an AON?

The active Ethernet switch processes the incoming data and determines how to distribute it to different end users, based on the user's location or requirements.

What are the key features of an Active Optical Network (AON)?

Key features of AON include the use of power devices at distribution points, switching technology for managing data, higher bandwidth, better security, scalability, and being ideal for distances up to 100 km. However, it has high maintenance costs.

How does a Passive Optical Network (PON) differ from an AON in terms of device operation?

A Passive Optical Network (PON) uses passive components that do not require power for operation, unlike AON which relies on powered devices like switches.

What is the purpose of an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) in a PON?

The Optical Line Terminal (OLT) connects to the internet and is responsible for transmitting data to the Passive Optical Network (PON) and accepting data from end users to send back to the internet.

What function does the Optical Splitter perform in a Passive Optical Network?

The Optical Splitter splits the incoming signal into multiple parts, enabling a single point-to-multiple point connection to distribute data to various end users.

What is the role of the Optical Network Unit (ONU) in a PON?

The Optical Network Unit (ONU) converts incoming optical signals into electrical signals, which are required for use in end-user devices like televisions and computers.

What are the main types of Passive Optical Networks (PONs) discussed in the script?

The main types of Passive Optical Networks discussed are ATM PON (AP), Ethernet PON (EP), and Gigabit PON (GPON).

What are the typical data rates for ATM PON (AP), Ethernet PON (EP), and Gigabit PON (GPON)?

ATM PON (AP) has downstream data rates of 155 Mbps and upstream data rates of 622 Mbps. Ethernet PON (EP) supports 1.25 Gbps for both upstream and downstream, and Gigabit PON (GPON) offers downstream rates of 2.5 Gbps and upstream rates of 1.25 Gbps.

What are the differences in the quality of service (QoS) between the three types of PON?

ATM PON (AP) has limited QoS mechanisms, Ethernet PON (EP) has basic QoS, and Gigabit PON (GPON) provides advanced QoS mechanisms.