PLC Vs. FBT Splitter

PLCs (Planar Lightwave Circuits) and FBT (Fused Biconical Taper) splitters are two different types of optical splitters used in fiber optic networks, particularly in PON (Passive Optical Network) systems like FTTH (Fiber To The Home).

PLC Fiber Splitters

PLC splitters use a technology where the optical circuit is etched onto a substrate much like an integrated circuit. This method allows for a more compact design compared to traditional optical splitters.
They provide a more uniform power distribution across all output ports, which is ideal for applications that require equal signal strength at each endpoint.
These splitters tend to have lower insertion loss compared to FBT splitters, making them suitable for long-distance or high-performance network deployments.
PLC splitters are generally more robust and have better environmental stability due to their solid-state construction.

FBT Splitters

FBT splitters use a technique where two fibers are fused together to create a coupling point. The fibers are tapered and then fused to form the splitter.
They can be manufactured with custom ratios of power division between the outputs, which might be necessary for certain applications where not all endpoints require the same level of signal strength.
FBT splitters may have higher insertion loss than PLCs, which can be a consideration for networks requiring maximum signal strength at the end-user location.
While they can be made to be quite precise, FBT splitters might not be as consistent from unit to unit as PLCs due to the manufacturing process.

When choosing between the two types, factors such as required performance (insertion loss, uniformity), cost, and specific application needs should be considered. For most large-scale FTTH deployments, PLC splitters are often preferred due to their superior performance characteristics and reliability. However, for specialized applications or when custom splitting ratios are required, FBT splitters might still be chosen.