How Fiber Optic PLC Splitters Make Optical Networks Better

Fiber optic PLC splitters are devices that split light into many parts. PLC means planar lightwave circuit. It is a small part that uses light to do things. PLC splitters are used in networks that use light to send information, such as EPON, GPON, BPON, FTTX, FTTH, and so on. They can split the light from one fiber into many fibers, or put the light from many fibers into one fiber.

Why Use Fiber Optic PLC Splitters?

Fiber optic PLC splitters have many benefits over other devices that split light, such as FBT splitters or micro-optical splitters. Some of the benefits of PLC splitters are:

• Even splitting: PLC splitters can split the light evenly among the output fibers, with a low difference in power. This is important for networks that need many splits, such as 1×32 or 1×64.
• Small size: PLC splitters are made on a silica chip, which is very small. PLC splitters can have different shapes, such as bare fiber, mini blockless, fanout, ABS box, LGX box, mini plug-in, rack mount, and so on. They can fit in different places.
• High quality: PLC splitters are not affected by temperature, humidity, or stress. They have a low loss of light and a high return of light. PLC splitters can work well in bad environments and last for a long time.
• Low price: PLC splitters are made using a process that makes many at once. This lowers the cost for each one and makes them cheaper.

How Do Fiber Optic PLC Splitters Work?

The main idea of PLC splitters is based on how light waves interfere in a waveguide. A PLC splitter has three parts: an input port, a waveguide area, and output ports. The input port is where the light goes in, and the output ports are where the light goes out. The waveguide area is where the light is split or combined.

The waveguide area has many waveguides that have different lengths and widths. The waveguides are arranged like a tree. The waveguides are connected at the joints, where the light is split or combined based on how the light waves interfere. The light can be split into two equal parts, or into two unequal parts with a specific ratio. The ratio can be changed according to the needs.

The following picture shows a 1×4 PLC splitter:

The input port is connected to one waveguide, which is then split into two waveguides at the first joint. The two waveguides have different lengths, which makes a difference in the light waves. The light waves are then split into four waveguides at the second joint, with different ratios depending on the difference. The four waveguides are connected to the output ports, where the light waves go out.

How to Choose Fiber Optic PLC Splitters?

There are some things to think about when choosing fiber optic PLC splitters, such as:

• Splitting ratio: The splitting ratio is how much light goes to each output port compared to the input port. The splitting ratio can be equal or unequal, depending on the needs. For example, a 1×4 PLC splitter can have a splitting ratio of 25:25:25:25, or 10:40:40:10, or any other combination. The splitting ratio affects how much light is lost and how even the light is in the PLC splitter.
• Port number: The port number is how many input and output ports there are. The port number can be 1xN or 2xN, where N is the number of output ports. For example, a 1×4 PLC splitter has one input port and four output ports, while a 2×4 PLC splitter has two input ports and four output ports. The port number affects how complex and how expensive the PLC splitter is.
• Package type: The package type is the shape and size of the PLC splitter. The package type can be bare fiber, mini blockless, fanout, ABS box, LGX box, mini plug-in, rack mount, and so on. The package type affects how big, how easy to install, and how safe the PLC splitter is.
• Connector type: The connector type is the type of fiber connectors that are attached to the input and output ports. The connector type can be SC, LC, FC, ST, and so on. The connector type affects how well the PLC splitter works with other devices.

Conclusion

Fiber optic PLC splitters are devices that split light into many parts. PLC splitters have many benefits over other devices that split light, such as even splitting, small size, high quality, and low price. PLC splitters are used in networks that use light to send information, such as EPON, GPON, BPON, FTTX, FTTH, and so on. They can split the light from one fiber into many fibers, or put the light from many fibers into one fiber. PLC splitters can be changed according to the splitting ratio, the port number, the package type, and the connector type, to meet different needs.