FTTH Basics and
Network Design
Mark Boxer, Jeff Bush
OFS
Agenda
• Drivers for FTTH
• Why Fiber?
• Fiber Feeds Everything
• Nuts and Bolts - The Components
• Installation Techniques
• Network Architectures and Planning
2 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Bandwidth – then, now, and next
Then 25 Mbps Now
1.5 Mbps
≈ 0.6 kbps
Next
9 Mbps
VR > 2 Mbps
500 MBPS 6 Mbps
3 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Agenda
• Drivers for FTTH
• Why Fiber?
• Fiber Feeds Everything
• Nuts and Bolts - The Components
• Installation Techniques
• Network Architectures and Planning
4 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Why Fiber?
Greater Bandwidth, Longer Distance,
Lowest Cost / Bit
Copper
Bandwidth Distance Cost per Bit
Fiber
2,400 Pair Copper 1 Fiber Cable
Cable > 50 Tbps
100 Gbps to 1KM > 5,000 KM
Bandwidth Distance Cost per Bit
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Why fiber?
Metal cables and wireless have significant
limitations
• Reliable - Fewer truck rolls with fiber
• Lower power consumption versus DSL/HFC Feature Benefit
High High information carrying
• Not affected by lightning, rain, humidity issues bandwidth capacity
• No maintenance needed for amplifiers Low Long distances without
attenuation repeaters, less expensive
Light weight Easier installations
Small size Unobtrusive
No metallic No grounding problems
conductors No “crosstalk”
No power requirements
Passive No circuit protection
needed
Widely deployable & cost
Inexpensive
effective
6 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Agenda
• Drivers for FTTH
• Why Fiber?
• Fiber Feeds Everything
• Nuts and Bolts - The Components
• Installation Techniques
• Network Architectures and Planning
7 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Fiber Feeds the Cell Network
• Mobile bandwidth demand, driven by smartphones and video,
is growing rapidly
• Fiber is needed to and up the tower for 4G networks and
beyond
• Fiber has many advantages for cell network operators:
• Weight
• Tower loading/bracing
Bandwidth • Grounding
• Installation time
• Power losses
• Space
• Cooling requirements
8 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Fiber in Telephone and
Cable Networks
Telephone: FTTN - Fiber to the Curb/Node
Cable: HFC - Hybrid Fiber Coax
Central Office Powered Switch
OLT or Node Twisted Pair
or Coax
12 - 24 fibers
Typical Distance Range
• Fiber to the Node, Copper/coax to the home
• Bandwidth variable based on distance, metal cable quality, node size
• Asymmetric bandwidth (more downstream than upstream)
9 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Fiber Feeds the Power
Network
• Fiber is an integral part of the utility communications network
• Substation to substation communications
• Equipment within substations
• FTTH – Primarily municipalities and co-ops
• Smart grid initiatives are changing the nature of power delivery
Nuclear
Renewable
Transmission Distribution
Smart Meter
--:Information Micro Grid
--:Power
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Agenda
• Drivers for FTTH
• Why Fiber?
• Fiber Feeds Everything
• Nuts and Bolts - The Components
• Installation Techniques
• Designing the OSP Network
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Optical Fiber
Fastest Comms Pipe Available
Coating
Light ray Cladding
Core
• Light travels in core and is constrained by the cladding
• Acrylate coating protects pure silica (glass) cladding
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Fiber Structure
125 microns
• Core - The center of a fiber
– Typically contains dopants to Coatings
change speed of light
• Cladding - Outer layer of glass Cladding
to contain light vv
vs Core
– Different refractive index 8-62.5
• Coating - Cushions and microns
protects fibers
200-250 microns
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Main Fiber Types
Single-mode & Multimode
• Single-mode fiber Index of Refraction Profiles
– Carries only one mode of light
– Used for the majority of FTTH deployments
• Multimode fiber
– Carries multiple modes of light
8-10 µm
125 µm
Singlemode cladding core
50-62.5
µm
125 µm
Multimode
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Bend Insensitive Fiber
Enables Fiber in Non-traditional Places
Conventional Bend insensitive
Singlemode fiber Singlemode fiber
Small
Small
radius
radius
Service
Service
Disrupted
Maintained
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FTTH Network Macro View
Central Office / Drop Drop
Headend Closures or Cable
Terminals
Splitter
Cabinet
Underground Aerial
Cable Splice Direct Buried Cable
Closures Cable
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Outside Plant Fiber Cable
Buffer tube
• Most often “loose tube” cable structure
– Fibers loose in buffer tubes Fiber
• Handles stress/strain and temperature
fluctuations and climatic extremes
Loose buffer tube
– Also available in ribbons structure
– Fibers and buffers are color coded
• Underground applications Ribbon fiber and cable structure
– Direct Buried – typically armored
– Duct cable
• Aerial applications
– Lashed to a messenger
– All-Dielectric, Self-Supporting (ADSS)
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Inside Plant Fiber Cable
• Indoor cables are different than outdoor cables
• Most often “tight buffer” cable structure
– Provides additional protection for frequent
handling
– Easier connectorization
• Multiple types of cable structures
• Riser, plenum, low smoke/zero halogen products
– Designed to meet flame smoke ratings
• Yellow jacket indicates single-mode fiber
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Fiber Management Devices
Closures, Terminals
• Fiber management devices are used
in the central office or remote
cabinets
• Closures are used in the field to
connect cables and fibers
• Terminals are often used for the
final drop to the home
• Multiple designs available for each
component
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Connectors and splitters
Connectors
• “SC” and “LC” most common
• Color indicates polish (back reflection)
SC Connector • Blue = “Ultra” polish Splitter
• Green = “Angle” polish
Splitters
• Used with Passive Optical Network
Splitter in splice tray
LC Connector (PON) systems
• Used to split one fiber into multiple
fibers
– Decreases power
– Splits bandwidth
MPO Connector • Split ratios are powers of 2
(12 fiber ribbon
connector) – 1x2, to 1x64 (1x32 most common) Splitter Cabinet
20 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
MDU and in-home
Deployments
• MDU and in-home installations are
different than outside plant
• Most inside installations require tight
bends and bend insensitive fibers
• Manufacturers have developed fibers
and products for these applications
Fiber
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Agenda
• Drivers for FTTH
• Why Fiber?
• Fiber Feeds Everything
• Nuts and Bolts - The Components
• Installation Techniques
• Network Architectures and Planning
22 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
OSP Cable Placement
Options
Aerial
• Fast, minimal restoration time
• Typical choice for overbuilding
existing aerial plant
Below Grade
• Required if no existing aerial
plant
• Aesthetically pleasing!
23 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Splicing
Fusion
• Most common type of splice
Illustration of electrodes used to
• Fibers joined together and melted at
form fusion splicing arc
approximately 1600 degrees C
Mechanical
• Common overseas
• Less common in US FTTH installations
Splice sleeve to cover
completed splice
24 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Optical Loss Budget
Designers must ensure adequate optical
power going both directions
Fiber Management
OLT
Unmanaged Switch Component Typical loss values
@ 1550 nm
Encoder & DVD Fiber 0.2 dB/km
Splices 0.05 dB
Connectors 0.2 dB
Splitters (1x32) 17-18 dB
25 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Agenda
• Drivers for FTTH
• Why Fiber?
• Fiber Feeds Everything
• Flavors of FTTx
• Nuts and Bolts - The Components
• Installation Techniques
• Network Architectures and Planning
26 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Network Planning
Establish Ultimate Network Plan
• Ensures incremental additions support
ultimate objectives
Network Plan Objectives
• Reduce installed costs
• Increase speed of network build
• Increase return on investment
o Target network segments based on ROI
• Streamline build cost estimation
process
Example Network Plan
Cable route design for 10k premise network
27 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
GPON GE-PON
Point to Point
Current Current (Active Ethernet)
Next Gen Next Gen
Gen Gen
Downstream 2.4 Gbps 10 Gbps 1.2 Gbps 10 Gbps 100 -1000 Mbps
Bandwidth total total total total per sub
1.2 Gbps 10 Gbps 1.2 Gbps 10 Gbps 100 -1000 Mbps
Upstream Bandwidth
total total total total per sub
Typical distance 20 km 20 km 20 km 20 km 20 km
Wavelengths (nm),
1490 1577 1550 1577 1550
Downstream
1310 1270 1310 1270 1310
Upstream
28 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
Active Ethernet (Active E)
or Point-to-point (P2P)
Dedicated
Central Office Fibers
or Powered Cabinet
SFU
Electronics
MDU
Business
• Requires largest cables and most splicing
• Highest cost of electronics per customer
• Maximum bandwidth per customer
29 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
PON - Central Office Splitting
Central Office Dedicated
or Powered Cabinet Fibers
SFU
OLT
F1 Fibers F2 Fibers
MDU
Splitter
Business
Shared
Fibers
• Requires largest cables and most splicing
• Maximizes OLT port utilization
• Utilized in dense urban deployments
30 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
PON - Cabinet Splitting
Central Office Dedicated
or Powered Cabinet Fibers
Splitter SFU
Cabinet
OLT
F1 Fibers F2 Fibers
MDU
Splitter
Shared Business
Fibers
• Closely resembles copper networks
o Cross connect cabinets
• Limits initial OLT utilization
• Most common method of deployment in U.S.
31 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
PON - Distributed Splitting
Central Office
or Powered Cabinet
Splice
Closures
Splitter Splitter
OLT
F1 Fibers F1 Fibers F1 Fibers
Shared Dedicated
Fibers Fibers
Business MDU SFU SFU
• Greatly reduces cable sizes and splicing
• Requires more OLT ports than CO or cabinet splitting
o Typical break-even take rate is 20-25%
32 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
PON - Cascaded Splitting
Shared “S2”
Central Office Fibers 2nd Splitter SFU
or Powered Cabinet
SFU
“S1”
OLT 1st Splitter
F1 Fibers F1 Fibers
Dedicated
Fibers
MDU
Splice Closure
Or Cabinet
Splice “S2” Business
Closure 2nd Splitter
• Minimizes cable sizes and splicing
• Ideal for rural deployments
33 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
Distributed / Cascaded Splitting
versus
CO / Cabinet Splitting
1. Significantly reduces cable sizes
2. Significantly reduces splicing requirements
Advantages
3. Eliminates need for splitter cabinets
• Associated permitting
1. 100% splitter installation
• Initial as opposed to incremental
Disadvantages
2. 100% OLT port installation
• Initial as opposed to incremental
Typical break-even take rate is 20-25%
• Greater than 25% - distributed / cascaded more economical
• Less than 20% - CO / cabinet more economical
34 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Summary
• Video, internet, and new applications are driving bandwidth increases that
require fiber
• Fiber is the best method for providing low cost, high bandwidth services
• Lowest cost/bit
• Lowest OPEX
• More reliable than metallic technologies
• Lower attenuation, weight
• Fiber architectures include multiple types of PON and point-to-point
• Multiple ways of deploying FTTH
• OSP design decisions have significant impacts on network build costs
35 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Thank you for
attending. Please
remember to
complete the online
evaluation of this
session in the mobile
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36 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Questions?
Mark Boxer
Applications Engineering Manager, OFS
mboxer@ofsoptics.com
252 495-4131
Jeff Bush
Professional Services Manager, OFS
jbush@ofsoptics.com
770 241-4713
Please Complete the Evaluation
37 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
Backup
Backup Slides
38 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
Active Ethernet (Active E)
or Point-to-point (P2P)
Central Office
or Powered Cabinet
Electronics
Factory Installed Splice Panel
Connector
Jumpers
OSP
Cable
Customers
39 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
PON - Central Office Splitting
Central Office
or Powered Cabinet
Optical Terminal Shelf Mount Splitter Splice Panel
Jumpers Jumpers
F1 Fibers F2 Fibers
OSP Cables
Factory Installed F2 Fibers
Connectors Customers
40 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
PON - Cabinet Splitting
Central Office
or Powered Cabinet Splitter Cabinet
OLT Splitters
Splitter Tails
Factory
Connectorized
Splice Panel
Cabinet Tails
OSP Cables Hand Hole
OSP Cables OSP Cables
Customers
F1 Fibers F2 Fibers
Splice Closure
41 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
PON - Distributed or Cascaded Splitting
Central Office
or Powered Cabinet
OLT Service Drop Splice
Connection Point Tray
Aka “terminal”
Splitter
Splice Panel
OSP Cables OSP Cables Customers
F1 Fibers F2 Fibers
Service
Drops Customers
42 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
FTTX Architectures
Design Comparison
Cabinet vs. Distributed Splitting
92%
62% 24 or 36
48 or larger count cables
count cables
50%
Cabinet Split Design Variance in Distributed Split Design
• 6,622 premises Splicing • 6,127 premises
• 9,933 fusion splices • 6,139 fusion splices
1.5 splices / premise 1.0 splices / premise
43 FTTH Basics and Network Design OFS – Boxer, Bush
