The GEPON system uses a single optical fiber for both upstream and downstream transmission. Downstream traffic is sent via 1490 nm wavelength and upstream traffic uses the 1310 nm wavelength. The 1550 nm wavelength is reserved for future CATV or wavelength division multiplex (WDM) upgrading.
The system provides a low-cost method of deploying optical access lines between a carrier's central office (CO), where the Optical Line Terminal (OLT) is located, and the customer site is where the Optical Network Unit (ONU) is located. The OLT and the ONU are the two main components of the GEPON system. All transmissions are performed between the OLT and the ONU. The ONUs are granted time division multiplex (TDM) time-shared access to the medium.
The GEPON system advantages are listed below:
- Ethernet standard of passive optical network (PON) physical layer with low deployment, operation and maintenance cost and high system performance
- IEEE 802.3 standard, native Ethernet, end-to-end IP and also maintenance free for passive optical splitter
- Single fiber for both Tx and Rx signals via WDM
- Combination of WDM and TDM minimizes fiber requirements
- Minimal CO equipment space requirements
- Natural downstream broadcast suitable for multicast video/audio services with highest speed PON – 1 Gb/s for downstream and 1 Gb/s optically transparent end-to-end for upstream, PONs allow upgrades to higher bit rates or additional wavelengths
- PONs allow for long reach between the CO and customer premises, operating at distances over 10/20 km, 32/16 splits with average bandwidth of 60 Mb/s (16 Splits), 30 Mb/s (32 Splits)
- Advanced quality of service (QoS) capability for different broadband services
- Compared with other PON technologies, GEPON has lower system cost and higher system performancev
It provides symmetrical GEPON solutions to deliver true triple play services to fiber-to-the-premises deployments. GEPON system enables service providers to untangle the access network by providing a simple, cost effective infrastructure to carry all current and future communications service to home and business.
Figure GEPON System Network Solution