The Difference Between Active and Passive Optical Networks

In the optical network transmission process, we usually see the conversion of the electrical and optical signal at the input and output ports using a wide range of active and passive components. The light source is the foundation of optical fiber networks, and all the network transmission is always done in the form of light signals at input and output ports. It is why optical network engineers require active and passive components to design optical networks for accurate and efficient signal transmission and communication.

An optical network can either be an active optical network or a passive optical network, depending on the type and performance of the source signal. The active optical access network primarily employs Active Ethernet technology for point-to-point direct and single fiber bi-directional access, which improves bandwidth but with increased costs. As a result, passive optical access technology (PON) gradually took over the active optical networks to design cost-effective networks for light signal transmission.

What is Active Optical Network (AON)?

AON (Active Optical Network) refers to a network in which the signal is transmitted using a photoelectric conversion device, active optical components, and fiber optics. Optical lasers, optical amplifiers, optical transceivers, optical receivers, and other optical components are included in optical assemblies. The AON is a type of network that enables point-to-multipoint optical communication for a variety of industrial applications such as optical fiber transmission lines and optical remote terminals.

Features of AON Networks

  • Large transmission capacity
  • Long transmission distance without a repeater 
  • Mature technology 

What is Passive Optical Network (PON)?

Passive Optical Network (PON) refers to an optical distribution network (ODN) that doesn’t use any active devices or components for its operations. It includes optical passive components such as optical couplers, optical connectors, optical attenuators, optical isolators, optical circulators, optical switches, and so on in its building blocks. The Passive Optical Network (PON) is designed as an access network for optical fiber applications because it doesn’t use any active component that requires a power source to function. 

Features of PON Networks

  • Large transmission capacity
  • Long transmission distance
  • Low cost 
  • Excellent performance and scalability
  • High reliability
  • Great transparency of business

PON allows point-to-multipoint access network and fiber transmission at high security and low cost. Fast network construction is another advantage of a passive optical network over an active network. It is the most widely used optical network across industries as it is more convenient to scale and upgrade using optical passive components in comparison to AON technologies.