What is a PLC Splitter?
A PLC (Planar Lightwave Circuit) splitter is a passive optical device that splits one input optical signal into multiple output signals evenly, or combines multiple optical signals into one. It is one of the most critical passive optical components in PON (Passive Optical Network) and FTTH (Fiber to the Home) networks.
Langzhi Technology offers a full range of PLC fiber splitters supporting various split ratios and packaging types for different network deployment needs.
How PLC Splitters Work
PLC splitters are manufactured using planar lightwave circuit technology — Y-branch optical waveguides are fabricated on a silicon or quartz substrate using photolithography, enabling even distribution of optical signals.
Advantages over traditional FBT (Fused Biconical Taper) splitters:
- Excellent splitting uniformity
- Wide operating wavelength range: 1260nm-1650nm
- High temperature stability
- Compact size for high-density installations
- Scalable split ratios: 1×N (N=2,4,8,16,32,64,128)
Split Ratio and Insertion Loss Table
| Split Ratio | Max Insertion Loss(dB) | Uniformity(dB) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1×2 | 4.1 | 0.6 | FTTH home split |
| 1×4 | 7.4 | 1.0 | Small network |
| 1×8 | 10.5 | 1.3 | Building split |
| 1×16 | 13.8 | 1.5 | Community split |
| 1×32 | 17.1 | 1.8 | Primary splitting |
| 1×64 | 20.5 | 2.0 | Large PON |
| 1×128 | 24.0 | 2.5 | Ultra-large split |
Applications in PON Networks
Centralized splitting: One PON port connects to multiple ONUs via a single 1×32 or 1×64 splitter. Minimal link loss, simple management.
Cascaded splitting: Two splitters in series (e.g., 1×4 + 1×8), ideal for rural or villa areas with distributed users.
FBT vs PLC Splitter Comparison
| Parameter | PLC Splitter | FBT Splitter |
|---|---|---|
| Split Ratio | Up to 1×128 | Mainly ≤1×8 |
| Wavelength Range | 1260-1650nm | Narrow |
| Uniformity | Excellent | Fair |
| Temperature Stability | Excellent | Good |
| Cost (low ratio) | Higher | Lower |
| Cost (high ratio) | Lower | High |
Conclusion
Langzhi Technology offers a complete range of PLC fiber optic splitters meeting Telcordia GR-1209/GR-1221 standards for FTTH, PON, and CATV applications.
