What is the difference between PLC planar waveguide optical splitter and FBT fused tapered optical splitter? how to choose?

An optical splitter is a passive optical device that can split an input optical signal into multiple output optical signals. It is widely used in passive optical fiber networks. According to different working principles, optical splitters are divided into PLC optical splitters (planar waveguide optical splitters) and FBT optical splitters (fused tapered optical splitters). So what do you think about these two optical splitters? How much do you know? Do you know the difference between them? After reading this article you will have a clearer understanding of them.

Brief description of PLC optical splitter and FBT optical splitter.

First of all, before understanding the difference between PLC optical splitter and FBT optical splitter, let us briefly understand these two optical splitters.

PLC optical splitter overview.

PLC optical splitter is manufactured using semiconductor technology and can provide a good solution for larger split configuration applications. PLC optical splitter is a waveguide fabricated on a quartz glass substrate through photolithography technology, so that it can route a specific percentage (equal ratio) of light. Usually, the optical splitting ratio of PLC optical splitter is 1:4/1:8/1:16/1:32/1:64. There are bare fiber PLC optical splitter, micro steel pipe type PLC splitter, ABS box-type PLC optical splitter, splitter-type PLC optical splitter, tray-type PLC optical splitter, rack-mounted PLC optical splitter, LGX optical splitter and micro plug-in PLC optical splitter etc types.

FBT optical splitter overview.

FBT optical splitter uses traditional passive device manufacturing technology to bundle two or more fibers together and achieve melt drawing through a tapering machine. Because the fused optical fiber is relatively fragile, a glass tube made of epoxy resin and silica is usually placed outside the fused optical fiber. At the same time, a layer of stainless steel tube is placed outside the glass tube, and finally silicone is used for sealing. With the maturity and development of technology, FBT optical splitters are becoming more and more cost-effective.

PLC Optical Splitter VS FBT Optical Splitter: What’s the Difference?

It can be seen from the above that the manufacturing processes of PLC optical splitters and FBT optical splitters are different. In addition, these two optical splitters also have the following differences:

Working wavelength:

The working wavelength of the PLC optical splitter is between 1260nm and 1650nm. The wavelength is adjustable and supports more application environments. The FBT optical splitter only supports three wavelengths: 850nm/1310nm/1550nm and cannot work at other wavelengths.

Split ratio:

The splitting ratio refers to the ratio of the input optical signal and the output optical signal of the optical splitter. The splitting ratio of PLC optical splitter is as high as 1:64, while the splitting ratio of FBT optical splitter is 1:32. Relatively speaking, PLC optical splitter can provide higher reliability. However, the optical split ratio of the FBT optical splitter is variable and supports customization, such as 1:3, 1:7, and 1:11, while the PLC optical splitter can only choose 1:2 and 1:4. , 1:8, 1:16, 1:32, 1:64 standard products.

Spectral uniformity:

PLC optical splitter can achieve uniform light splitting in equal proportions, while FBT optical splitter is packaged by multiple 1x2 connections. It lacks signal management and cannot achieve uniform light splitting. Moreover, the larger the light splitting ratio, the worse the uniformity, which affects transmission. distance.

failure rate:

At present, the mature tapering process can only draw less than 1x4 at a time. Therefore, when the splitting ratio is greater than 1:8, the FBT optical splitter requires more than 7 1x2 connection packages. At this time, errors are prone to occur, leading to failures. In other words, the greater the splitting ratio of the FBT optical splitter, the greater the failure rate. The failure rate of PLC optical splitter is much smaller than that of FBT optical splitter, as shown in the figure below.

temperature:

Temperature?is a key factor affecting the insertion loss of optical devices, therefore, temperature stability plays a vital role in the performance of the device. PLC optical splitter can work stably at -40~85℃, while the operating temperature range of FBT optical splitter is -5~75℃. Relatively speaking, PLC optical splitter has a wider operating temperature range. In extreme It also maintains good performance in the environment.

cost:

PLC optical splitters have complex manufacturing processes and high chip costs; FBT optical splitters are made of steel, heat shrink tubes and other materials. Since the material cost is not high and the device manufacturing technology is simple, relatively speaking, FBT optical splitters are Splitters are cheaper.

Simply put, PLC optical splitters and FBT optical splitters each have their own advantages and disadvantages, as detailed below:

Summarize:

In general, in addition to similar appearance and size, PLC optical splitters and FBT optical splitters have many differences in manufacturing processes, operating wavelengths, temperatures, etc. It can be seen from the advent of PLC optical splitters that the manufacturing technology of optical splitters has made great progress in recent years. Compared with the traditional FBT optical splitter, the PLC optical splitter is a passive type with superior performance. Optical components, if your network has high performance, it is recommended that you choose PLC optical splitter instead of FBT optical splitter.