New Optical Splitter Design for Application in Fibre-to-the Home Passive Optical Network using Virtual Lab Platform

Problem statement: In this study, authors present a new design of optical splitter to be applied in FTTH-PON named Multi Ratio Optical Splitter (MROS). MROS was introduced to enhance the power distribution in the optical network. Approach: We also bring in new approach for designing a new optical device that enable us to characterize and analyze the design from waveguide design layer to network layer before fabricated called virtual lab platform. Results: Waveguide design of MROS would be designed with device designing tool using Beam Propagation Method (BPM) as a wave propagator. MROS designed to divide the input power to different percentage on each arm therefore it could carry data to different users of various distances. This design then integrated into optical network for analysis of device performance. The analysis based on the losses of output power to the input, maximum Q factor, Bit Error Rate (BER) and achievable distance. The result shows that the total insertion loss for MROS before being exported was 0.4989dB and 0.3835 dB after embedded into the network. The distance that the MROS could achieve was up to 50 km as compared to 1×4 Splitter that could only reach a maximum of 34 km. As an upgrading from this study, the design of MROS could be modify with expanding the number of splitting arm which more customer from various distances could enjoy the service provided. Conclusion/Recommendations: The result obtained shows that the performance of design is correlated when embedded into the network and the virtual lab platform is suitable for characterizing new devices in the network prior to fabrication.