Passive Optical Components and Their Applications to FTTH Networks

Optical fiber communication has brought us a new Internet society. In Japan, FTTH (Fiber to the Home) networks, in which optical fibers are installed directly to users’ homes, have been so popular that the number of contractors for FTTH service has exceeded fifteen millions as of May 2010. “Optical fiber,” “light source,” and “photo detector” are said to be three key elements of optical fiber communication. It should be noted, however, that various kinds of optical components and related technologies, besides those three elements, have contributed to the evolution of optical communication, improving functionalities, reliability, and economical efficiency of optical networks. This report focuses on “passive components” without functions of optical/electrical conversion, and describes key technological points including development in Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., and their deployment in FTTH networks.