A 1Gbps OLT port with a 1:32 splitter gives each subscriber ~31Mbps (theoretical)—enough for streaming 4K video, gaming, and home office use. A fiber broadband provider typically determines and overall split ratio for the network, such as 1x32 or 1x64, and uses combinations of splitters to meet that ratio with each PON port. 1x32 splits were common in North America for G-PON architectures. A key challenge is determining how many users a single OLT port can support, which is defined by the split ratio. There are two different distribution methods of optical splitters in the FTTH. A fiber-optic splitter, also known as a beam splitter, is based on a quartz substrate of an integrated waveguide optical power distribution device, similar to a coaxial cable transmission system.
[PDF Version]