PLC splitter is different from FBT segments

Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) splitter and Fused Biconic Taper (FBT) splitter are two different types of optical splitters used in fiber optic networks. They both serve the same purpose, which is to split optical signals into multiple fibers, but they differ in their manufacturing process, specifications, and applications.

PLC splitter:

A PLC splitter is made by etching optical waveguides onto a silica substrate using lithography techniques. The silica substrate is then coated with a protective layer to protect the waveguides from mechanical and environmental damages. The waveguides in the substrate are designed to split the optical signals into multiple fibers with equal splitting ratios. The PLC splitter is widely used in Passive Optical Network (PON) systems, Fiber to the Home (FTTH) networks, and other applications that require high performance and reliability.

Advantages of PLC splitter:

Wide range of operating wavelengths: PLC splitters can operate over a wide range of wavelengths, from 1260 nm to 1650 nm, making them suitable for use with different types of optical fibers.

High splitting ratio: PLC splitters can split the optical signal into up to 64 output fibers, with a uniform splitting ratio.

Low insertion loss: The insertion loss of PLC splitters is low, typically less than 1 dB, which means that the optical signal is not significantly attenuated when it passes through the splitter.

Low polarization dependent loss: The polarization dependent loss (PDL) of PLC splitters is low, typically less than 0.2 dB, which means that the splitter does not significantly affect the polarization state of the optical signal.

FBT splitter:

An FBT splitter is made by fusing two or more optical fibers together and then stretching the fused region to create a tapered region. The tapered region acts as a waveguide, which splits the optical signals into multiple fibers with different splitting ratios. The FBT splitter is widely used in local area networks, CATV systems, and other applications that require low cost and moderate performance.

Advantages of FBT splitter:

Low cost: FBT splitters are less expensive than PLC splitters, making them an attractive option for low-budget applications.

Compact size: FBT splitters are smaller than PLC splitters, making them suitable for use in space-constrained environments.

High power handling capability: FBT splitters can handle higher power levels than PLC splitters, making them suitable for use in high-power applications.

Disadvantages of FBT splitter:

Limited splitting ratio: FBT splitters can only split the optical signal into a limited number of output fibers, typically up to 16 fibers.

Unequal splitting ratio: The splitting ratio of FBT splitters is not uniform, which means that the optical signal is split unevenly among the output fibers.

High insertion loss: The insertion loss of FBT splitters is higher than that of PLC splitters, typically around 3 dB or more, which means that the optical signal is significantly attenuated when it passes through the splitter.

High PDL: The PDL of FBT splitters is higher than that of PLC splitters, typically around 0.5 dB or more, which means that the splitter can affect the polarization state of the optical signal.

Conclusion:

PLC and FBT splitters are two different types of optical splitters used in fiber optic networks. PLC splitters are widely used in high-performance applications that require high reliability, uniform splitting ratio, and low insertion loss, while FBT splitters are used in low-budget applications that require low cost, compact size, and moderate performance. When choosing a splitter for a fiber optic network, it is important to consider the application requirements