glass fiber network

Fiber optic networks are networks in which signals are transmitted optically by infrared light. Fiber optic networks use optical fib ers as the transmission medium and work with optical switching techniques. The switching can be realized with optical-electrical components or with purely optical switching components.

Such fiber optic networks are also referred to as photonic networks. In contrast, the term photonic networks has not become established. In optical network concepts, a distinction is made between optical networks( ON), which use opto-electrical components, and all-optical networks( AON), in which purely optical components are used, including in switching.

Access networks with connections to the core network and subscribers

Fiber optic networks can be wide- area long-distance networks, with optical access networks and optical access to end subscribers. Conceptually, a fiber optic network consists of the optical core network to which optical access networks( OAN) are connected via which the subscribers are connected with various fiber technologies such as Fiber to the Home ( FTTH) or Fiber to the Curb( FTTC).

As far as optical multiplexing techniques are concerned, photonic networks use wavelength division multiplexing(WDM) and optical time division multiplexing( OTDM) to optimize the available bandwidth. Optical switches, optical add/drop multiplexers( OADM), optical crossconnects( OCX) and other optical components are available for optical switching.