Tag: Optical Passive Components

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.

What is the Role of Optical Passive Components in Fiber Networks?

Did you know that tolerances tighten and margins for error shrink as operators send fiber deeper into their networks for higher speed and capacity?

That means quality is crucial, and every network component must improve its performance.

Let’s examine what fiber optical passive components are and how they can help service providers increase speed and bandwidth.

We’ll also look at how these devices can improve the delivery of high-quality, high-speed broadband to many subscribers.

  1. Multiplexers

Optical signals travel from the headend to the transition point or directly to the subscriber via wavelengths.

A multiplexer combines these wavelengths onto one fiber to travel the distance. They are then demultiplexed near the destination and separated.

  • Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)

WDM is a technology that combines and transmits many wavelengths on a single cable. Depending on the number of channels to be multiplexed, WDM can be employed in several different ways.

The advantage of WDM is that it is less complex and inexpensive to implement, allowing for higher speeds and bandwidth capacity without requiring any additional fibers.

  • Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM)

CWDM can fit up to 18 channels on a single fiber while maintaining a 20 nm channel space. Due to its lower cost, CWDM is a more cost-effective alternative to complex dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) architectures.

Low-density, short-run situations are ideal for CWDM. It’s also appropriate for networks with no plans to expand in the future.

  • Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM)

When capacity and reach are crucial, DWDM is the best option. To increase the capacity of fibers, DWDM enables a significant number of channels in a smaller band.

DWDM C-band channels are capable of reaching distances of over 40 kilometers.

The strict tolerances of DWDM necessitate the employment of complex transceivers and very sensitive filters and prisms in the passive devices; therefore, installations are often more expensive than CWDM.

  • Band Wavelength Division Multiplexing (BWDM)

BWDM modules combine groups of wavelengths onto a single optical fiber. A BWDM divides groups of channels rather than single channels and is particularly well suited to MDU or business park applications where there are often more dense groupings of customers.

  • Optical Add Drop Multiplexing (OADM)

The OADMs operate by deleting and rerouting certain wavelengths for specific destinations as the remaining signals proceed down the trunk.

OADMs are excellent when dedicated wavelengths are required to service enterprises or clusters of subscribers.

  • Optical Splitters

By dividing the signal symmetrically into 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, or 128 divisions, operators can share the cost of expensive optical components among a significant number of customers.

In line with the optical link budget, these divisions can also be cascaded to divide the number of splits into smaller, optimum serving areas.

Optical splitters are often employed to extend optical signals to customer residences in FTTx, and passive optical networks (PONs) are implemented at the headend/central office and the outside plant.

Optical splitters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the application.

Optical passive components are essential for a network’s efficient and cost-effective operation. Working with a professional can assist you in optimizing your optical networks to get the most out of your fiber infrastructure.

Applications of optical passive components

A passive optical network is a multi-premises point-to-multipoint network design that enables the providers of communication services to serve several consumers via the same connection. During the activities, no active components are required for conversion of electrical-to-optical or optical-to-electrical. There are a variety of optical passive components available in the market which include optical switches, optical isolators, optical couplers, optical circulators, optical connectors, optical splitters, optical filters, optical, and optical add/drop multiplexers. Optical passive components are found to be a viable answer for today’s telecommunication requirements.

But how are these optical passive components applied? Well, there are various applications of optical passive components. We have listed down the most common types of optical passive components and their application:

Optical coupler/splitter 

The most common optical passive components used for multi-demultiplexing of the wavelength of optical signals are optical couplers/splitters. Optical splitters are utilized for splitting the light signals in multiple fibres whereas optical are meant for integrating the signals arrived from various fibers. The optical coupler and optical splitter are quite similar types of optical passive components. However, the basic difference in their functionality depends on the requirement of the connection and the end-use of the component in input or output. 

Optical connector 

Optical connectors, also known as fiber optic connectors, are generally used to link two optical fibers, cables, or devices temporarily. Manufacturers have developed a variety of optical connectors in optical passive components to fulfill a variety of communication requirements. LC, FC, SC, ST and MTRJ styles of connections are the most common types of optical connectors. 

Optical filter 

An optical filter is a device used for multiplexing/demultiplexing the wavelength with a thin dielectric layer that allows the user to add or subtract a specified wavelength throughout fiber communication. It is mostly used for filtering out a particular wavelength in the middle of fiber according to preset parameters.

We now have a quick and efficient way of data transport due to optical fiber networking. To achieve optimum durability, efficiency, and monetary effectiveness in an optical network, a variety of optical components are used. Optical passive components play a critical role in establishing successful fiber connections.

Optical Attenuator

Optical Attenuator is a term used to describe a device that reduces the intensity of light transmitted. It is employed in the following situations:

  • Keep receivers from being saturated.
  • Ensure that wavelength intensity is balanced.
  • Equalize the strength of the nodes.

There are majorly four types of optical attenuators available in the market for balancing power in fiber communication, named fixed attenuators, variable attenuators, in-line attenuators, and plug-in attenuators.  

Optical switch 

These are devices used for governing the connection between ports meant for output and input. They’re mostly used for:

  • Remote monitoring of an optical fiber network
  • Multiplexing transplantation
  • System for monitoring optical paths
  • Sensory system based on optical fibers
  • Testing of optical devices

Choose the best optical passive components for your fiber networks and ensure better results. 

What are Fiber Bragg grating sensors? What are their uses and applications?

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) based sensors are one of the most popular optical fiber sensors these days because they are quite easy to install, don’t get influenced by electromagnetic interferences, and can work well even in highly explosive atmospheres. In this blog, we will walk you through what Fiber Bragg grating-based sensors mean and what uses and applications the FBG-based sensors have.

What are Fiber Bragg grating sensors?

Fiber Bragg grating is a small-size optical fiber that consists of a pattern of many reflection points that reflect particular wavelengths in the direction of the light origin and transmit all others. Based on the principle of Bragg diffraction, it is a progressive optical passive component that looks like a normal optical fiber but acts as a sensor that converts energy from mechanical into optical and electrical.                                                                                                                                                                        

FBG sensors are simple optical sensing elements that can be photo-imprinted in optical fibers. These are wavelength modulated sensors that help detect physical parameters such as strain, temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration, and others depending on the changes in the wavelength.

What makes FBG sensors better than their counterparts?

FBG sensors come with many features and qualities that one can’t get from ordinary optical sensors. Some of these are:

  • High sensing capability
  • High stability and reliability
  • Energy-efficient and cost-effective
  • Easy installation and customized length
  • Immunity to electromagnetic interferences
  • Immunity to radio frequency interferences
  • Suitable for highly explosive environments

What is the use of Fiber Bragg Grating sensors?

  • Fiber Bragg grating sensors can be used as inline optical fibers to block certain wavelengths. Apart from this, they can also be used as wavelength-specific reflectors.
  • Since FBG sensors are ideal wavelength-selective components, they can be used where detection of multiple sensing parameters is required.
  • FBG sensors are also widely used for monitoring composites that are subjected to impact.
  • These optical sensors can help measure the internal strain of the host by evaluating the shift in the reflective wave peak’s wavelength.
  • FBG-based sensors when located even too close to impact site can detect residual strains from an impact that C-scan and visual inspection fail to detect.
  • An array of embedded FBG sensors can predict the location of damage as well.
  • FBG sensors are also used for vibration sensing when they are placed intimately in contact with the vibrating object.
  • BG sensors can also help in acoustic sensing of ultrasonic waves not only in bulk materials but also in liquids.
  • These optical sensors have also been used for monitoring ultrasound in vivo.
  • Femtosecond laser-imprinted FBGs are thermally stable, and, thus, are potential candidates for high-temperature sensing applications.
  • These sensors can also be used for intelligent textiles as they can be integrated into flexible orthoses to determine a patient’s requirements and generate feedback.

What are the applications of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors?

FBG sensors are the optical passive components that have so much potential to be used in a myriad of applications across different industries. While some applications are widely common, many areas remain yet to be explored when it comes to utilizing the powerful capabilities of FBG sensors.  Some of the common applications of FBG sensors include:

  • ASE filtering
  • Wavelength filtering
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Power line monitoring
  • Structural health monitoring
  • Instrumentation applications, such as seismology
  • Pressure sensors for extreme environments
  • Downhole sensors in oil and gas wells to measure the effects of temperature, external pressure, seismic vibrations, and inline flow measurement

Most FBG sensors are used in single-mode fibers and their modeling is relatively simple. When buying FBG sensors online, do your research properly as FBG sensors are available in a variety of options, and picking the right one is important to achieve the desired performance and functionality.