Basic Knowledge About GPON SFP Transceivers

GPON stands for Gigabit Passive Optical Network.
GPON is one of the key technologies that are

being used in fiber-based (FTTx) access networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), fiber to the
business (FTTB), fiber to the curb (FTTC), etc. GPON system contains two main active transmission
components, namely optical line termination (OLT) and optical network termination (ONT) or optical
network unit (ONU). Modern OLT and ONT/ONU use compact fiber optic modules to achieve the
triple-play GPON services. These modules are known as GPON SFP transceivers. This post will
give a comprehensive introduction to GPON SFP modules.
What Is GPON SFP?

GPON SFP is one type of gigabit optical transceivers that are used in GPON system, which is
compliant with ITU-T G.984.2 standard. It is a bidirectional module that has SC receptacle and works
over simplex single-mode fiber optic cable. A GPON SFP module transmits and receives signals of
different wavelengths between the OLT at the Central Office side and the ONT at the end users side.
GPON SFPs utilize both the upstream data and downstream data by means of Optical Wavelength
Division Multiplexing (WDM).
GPON SFP: Class B+ vs. Class C+

GPON SFP transceivers are categorized into GPON OLT SFP and GPON ONT SFP or GPON ONU
SFP depending on the devices they are used in. And there are Class B+ GPON SFP and Class C+
GPON SFP. The major differences between them are the transmit power and the receive sensitivity.
The table below lists the Tx power and Rx sensitivity of Class B+ GPON SFP and Class C+ GPON
SFP.
Class B+ Class C+
Transceiver Type Max. Rx Max. Rx

Tx power Tx power
sensitivity sensitivity
GPON OLT SFP 1.5-5 dBm -28 dBm 3-7 dBm -32 dBm
OLT SFP Operation 1480-1500 1480-1500

1260-1360 nm 1290-1330 nm
Wavelength nm nm
GPON ONT SFP 0.5-5 dBm -27 dBm 0.5-5 dBm -30 dBm
ONT SFP Operation 1260-1360 1290-1330

1480-1500 nm 1480-1500 nm
Wavelength nm nm
By using Class B+ or Class C+ GPON OLT SFP, it can support up to 32 or 64 ONTs at customer
premises respectively. And a C+ OLT SFP can be used with B+ ONT SFP as long as the loss
budget of the link is appropriate.
Figure 1: GPON SFP Class B+ and Class C+.
How’s the GPON SFP Different From Conventional BiDi SFP?

Although GPON SFP belongs to the gigabit BiDi SFP family, it differs from “normal” BiDi SFPs in
some aspects. Here’s a comparison between GPON SFP transceiver and conventional BiDi SFP
transceiver.
Signal Transmission Mode

In terms of conventional gigabit BiDi SFP transceivers that are mainly used in backbone network, the
optical transmission mode is point to point (P2P), i.e., they must be used in matched pair. A BiDi
usually has LC receptacle instead of SC receptacle. Here’s an illustration of P2P transmission mode.
Figure 2: Transmission mode of conventional SFP.
The transmission mode of GPON SFP is point to multi-point (P2MP). One GPON OLT SFP at the
Central Office communicates with multiple GPON ONT SFPs with the help of fiber optic splitters.
This is why we usually see a GPON infrastructure is in a tree shape or a tee shape.
Figure 3: Transmission mode of GPON SFP.
Transmission Distance
The transmission distance of conventional gigabit BiDi SFP can be up to 160 km over single-mode
fiber cable when using 1590nm/1510nm and 1510nm/1590nm wavelengths. GPON OLT and ONT/
ONU SFP transceivers support a transmission distance up to 20 km with 1490nm/1310nm and
1310nm/1490nm wavelengths.
Benefits of Using GPON SFP
Using GPON SFP is considered a more convenient and cost-effective solution for the end
customers. And it also reduces the devices that need to be provided by the Internet service provider
(ISP). Before the GPON ONT SFP was released and used in GPON networks, the ISP usually
needs to install at least an optical modem (a type of ONT with a fiber optic port) and an IP access
router, and a Set-Top-Box or video recorder might also be needed if IPTV services are required. The
separation of different devices inevitably increased the cost for GPON services.
Figure 4: Optical modem with a fiber optic port.

The newly used GPON SFP is in smaller size and integrates the triple-play services. It has lower
consumption as well. The ISP provides a GPON ONT SFP to the customer. This module is usually
installed in the hub/router handed to the customer by the ISP. The customer is also able to unplug
the fiber optic patch cable and the GPON ONT SFP from the ISP’s hub/router, and then plug them in
his own router/switch that is white-listed by the ISP.
Conclusion
GPON SFP transceivers are typically used in the two main active transmission components OLT and
ONT/ONU in GPON optical networks. They are essential in keeping the high-bandwidth
communication between the service provider and the end users over a distance up to 20 km. GPON
SFPs are classified into Class B+ and Class C+ and the main differences are their Tx power and Rx
sensitivity. This module has simplified the implementation of GPON services. It benefits both the
service providers and the end users to some degree.

Basic Knowledge About GPON SFP Transceivers

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Basic Knowledge About GPON SFP Transceivers

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Basic Knowledge About GPON SFP Transceivers

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GPON stands for Gigabit Passive Optical Network.

GPON is one of the key technologies that are

What Is GPON SFP?

GPON SFP: Class B+ vs. Class C+

Transceiver Type Max. Rx Max. Rx

OLT SFP Operation 1480-1500 1480-1500

ONT SFP Operation 1260-1360 1290-1330

Figure 1: GPON SFP Class B+ and Class C+.

How’s the GPON SFP Different From Conventional BiDi SFP?

Signal Transmission Mode

Figure 3: Transmission mode of GPON SFP.

Figure 4: Optical modem with a fiber optic port.

You might also like