Overview

This article will explain all of the accessories required to create a working GPON network.

Introduction
Splitters
Connecting, Splicing & Fusing
Optical Patch Cables
Tools
Related Articles

Introduction

When building a network with UFiber equipment it is required to use accessories to successfully connect the UFiber OLT and UFiber Nano G. There are many factors that go into designing a GPON Network which are discussed in detail in the UFiber GPON - Designing a GPON Network article. This guide will explain some of the accessories needed to use in the design.

There are many combinations and different methods of connecting UFiber equipment, however it is not complex with the right accessories. Using fusing, splicing, and manually adding connectors is common for deployment, however one can have a successful network with using pre-terminated cables to make deployment easy.

Splitters

A PLC splitter is necessary to allow for connecting multiple NanoG's to a single PON port on the OLT. For more details refer to the Planning with Splitters section in this Design Guide.

Planar Lightwave Circuit

Uses glass waveguides
No moving parts
Equal attenuation
Compact and comes in multiple form factors
Allows for Split Ratios:1x4, 1x8, 1x16, 1x32, 1x64, etc.

Rack Mount PLC Splitter

Breakout PLC Splitter

Connecting, Splicing & Fusing

The most simple method of connecting UFiber equipment is to use SC/APC pre-terminated single-mode cable which can simply plug into the other accessories. It is often required in a production environment to splice or fuse a fiber run. Fusing and splicing fiber is beyond the scope of this article.

"Connectorized"

Most come with factory installed SC connectors
Easy to manage and install
Most dB loss (~.6dB per connector)

Spliced

Necessary to manually splice fiber and place it in a splice tray
Time consuming
Margin for error is high
Some dB loss (~.1dB per splice)

Fusing

Initial cost of fusion splicers can be high
Requires specific tools
Very Low dB loss (~.01 dB per fuse)

NOTE: Splices must support 250μm fiber.

Optical Patch Cables

Armored Single Mode Patch cables are commonly used for the first and last sections of the fiber-run. Due to the UF-GP-B+ and UF-GP-C+ modules used in the UF-OLT having a UPC connection, it is important to supply a UPC to APC patch cable for the first run. Every other connector in the run will uses APC connections.

A 9/125μm single-mode patch cable with SC connectors in various lengths is commonly used to connect to the UFiber GPON module. For this cable, it is important that the polish for the end that connects to the UF-GP-B+ or UF-GP-C+ module be UPC and the opposite end that connects to the PLC splitter have an APC polish.

An APC to APC coupler might also be used to connect any APC to APC connection with existing connectors.

The last section of the fiber-run typically uses an armored 3.0mm diameter SC/APC to SC/APC patch cable in various lengths. This will have SC connectors with APC polish on both ends. This cable is the last cable in the run and often an indiscreet color is used to match the building or home color if not in a conduit.