PON is not just about “breaking” the network!

Have you ever complained in your heart about "this broken network" when the network is slow? Today, I want to talk about PON (Passive Optical Network), which is not the "broken" network in your mind, but the superhero family in the network world - PON.

Don’t worry, I know what you’re thinking, this might sound a bit boring, but trust me, it’s definitely a lot more fun than you think!

1. PON, the "superhero" of the network world

PON refers to a fiber optic network that uses point-to-multipoint topology and optical splitters to transmit data from a single transmission point to multiple user endpoints. It consists of OLT (Optical Line Terminal), ONU (Optical Network Unit) and ODN (Optical Distribution Network). PON is an optical access network that uses all passive devices. It is a P2MP (Point to Multiple Point) optical access system. It has the advantages of saving fiber resources, no need for power supply for ODN, convenient user access and support for multi-service access. It is a broadband fiber optic access technology currently being vigorously promoted by operators.

PON is like the "Ant-Man" of the network world, small but powerful. It uses optical fiber as a transmission medium and distributes optical signals from the central office to multiple user terminals through passive devices, achieving high-speed, efficient and low-cost broadband access services.

Imagine if there were superheroes in the Internet world, then PON would definitely be the low-key superhero. It does not require power and can "fly" in the Internet world, bringing light-speed Internet experience to thousands of households.

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2. Core advantages of PON

One of the "superpowers" of PON is the speed of light transmission. Compared with traditional copper wire networks, PON uses optical fiber, and the transmission speed is so fast.

Imagine you download a movie at home and it appears on your device instantly like magic. Moreover, optical fiber is not afraid of lightning strikes or electromagnetic interference, and its stability is top-notch.

For example, ZTE's 50G PON technology is five times faster than the existing 10G PON technology. At MWC Shanghai 2024, ZTE released the industry's first 50G PON FTTR-B master gateway P910, with a downlink speed of 9.7 Gbps, which is so fast that it makes people fly! PON has strong anti-interference ability and uses a pure dielectric network to avoid electromagnetic interference and lightning. It is suitable for use in areas with harsh natural conditions and supports passive lines. The transmission distance can reach more than 20 kilometers. Intermediate equipment does not require power, which greatly reduces the number of locations.

3.GPON&EPON

There are two most well-known members in the PON technology family: GPON and EPON.

GPON: The power of the PON family

GPON, the full name of Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network, is the most powerful member of the PON family. With a downlink rate of up to 2.5 Gbps and an uplink rate of 1.25 Gbps, it provides high-speed, large-capacity data, voice, video and other services for homes and businesses. Imagine downloading a movie at home. GPON allows you to experience what "download in seconds" means.

Moreover, the asymmetric characteristics of GPON are more adaptable to the broadband data service market.

Example

ZTE has deployed GPON technology worldwide. For example, in the XGS-PON commercial project in Spain, ZTE cooperated with Orange to carry out XGS-PON commercialization in five cities, providing users with 10Gbps high-speed broadband services and Wi-Fi experience. Field test results show that the equipment based on ZTE XGS-PON ONT F8648P can achieve 8.6Gbps upstream and downstream rates, which is close to the theoretical peak rate of XGS-PON.

EPON: The Speed ​​Star of PON Family

EPON, the full name of Ethernet Passive Optical Network, is the speed star in the PON family. With a symmetrical 1.25 Gbps rate in both upstream and downstream, it provides perfect support for users who need to upload large amounts of data. The symmetry of EPON makes it an ideal choice for enterprise users and creators who need to upload large amounts of content.

Example

At the 2009 China FTTH Summit Development Forum held in Beijing, ZTE released the world's first "symmetrical" 10G EPON equipment prototype, demonstrating its leading position in the EPON technology field.

Differences between GPON and EPON

GPON and EPON are both PON technologies. Their main differences lie in technical specifications, transmission rates, frame structures, and encapsulation methods.

I have compiled a table to distinguish the key features of GPON and EPON.

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In general, GPON and EPON each have their own advantages, and the choice of technology depends on specific application requirements, cost budget and network planning.

With the development of technology, the difference between the two is gradually narrowing. For example, the emergence of new technologies such as XG-PON (10-Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network) and XGS-PON (10-Gigabit-Capable Symmetric Passive Optical Network) provides higher speeds and better performance.

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2. Application of PON technology

The application scenarios of PON technology are very wide:

• Home broadband access: Provide high-speed Internet services for home users, support high-definition video streaming, online games, etc. ZTE, as a leader in communication technology innovation, has not only made achievements in PON technology, but also launched a variety of products, serving more than 100 countries and more than 270 operators around the world. For example, ZTE's 10G PON series gateway is an intelligent gateway specially built for operators, supporting 10G EPON or XG-PON uplink, and providing users with rich home services.
• Enterprise network: Provide enterprises with stable network connection, support large-scale data transmission and cloud computing services. PON is a smart "smart housekeeper". Because it is "passive", the maintenance cost is greatly reduced. Operators no longer need to install and maintain power equipment for each user, which saves a lot of money. Moreover, PON network upgrades are also super convenient. There is no need to dig deep into the ground. You only need to upgrade the equipment at the central node, and the entire network can be "brand new".
• Smart city: In the construction of smart cities, PON technology can connect various sensors and monitoring equipment to realize intelligent transportation, intelligent lighting, etc. ZTE not only focuses on home broadband, but also introduces PON technology into urban construction. From EPON and GPON technologies promoting the popularization of 100M optical networks, to 10G PON technology supporting the promotion of Gigabit optical networks, to 50G PON technology supporting the development of 10G optical networks, each step marks a leap in network speed.

So, next time when you are enjoying high-speed Internet, don't forget to thank PON, the hero behind the scenes. Although it has a "broken" in its name, it is actually a "record breaker" in the Internet world, bringing us a faster, more stable, and more environmentally friendly Internet experience. Next time someone says "this is a broken network", you can proudly tell them: "No, it's PON, the superhero of the Internet world!"