What is XGS-PON?
XGS-PON is an updated standard for Passive Optical Networks (PON) that can support higher speed 10 Gbps symmetrical data transfer and is part of the family of standards known as Gigabit-capable PON, or GPON. XGS-PON (10G down / 10G up) – ITU G.9807.1, 2016. XGS-PON is a higher bandwidth, symmetric version of GPON. Again, the same capabilities of GPON and can co-exist on the same fiber with GPON. XGS-PON deployments are just beginning.
XGS-PON Components
XGS-PON OLT
For all PON standards including XGS-PON, the starting point is the optical line terminal (OLT) installed in a service providers local office. The XGS-PON OLT broadcasts the same data to all ONT in the network due to operation of the passive downstream optical splitters.
XGS-PON ONT
Through the use of single or cascaded optical splitters the OLT downstream wavelength can be split to provide service to as many as 128 end devices (ONT). The IEEE refers to the ONT as the optical network unit (ONU).
Recent innovations in packaging, optics and chip design have dramatically reduced 10G ONT cost to levels approaching that of 1G ONT/ONUs. Economies of scale will continue to drive efficiencies as XGS-PON deployment accelerates. More flexibility has also been integrated into newer generation XGS-PON ONTs, so that FTTH, business and 5G applications can share more common hardware elements.
XGS-PON SFP
The Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP+) is a hot-swappable transceiver connected to the SFP port of a network switch which converts electrical signals to optical signals at the chosen wavelength, and vice versa. SFPs used to facilitate XGS-PON transmission must be designed to support 10 Gbps speeds and support simultaneous upstream Tx and downstream Rx through the use of internal WDM couplers.
SFP+ XGSPON ONU/ONT Transceiver
SFP+ XGSPON OLT Transceiver