Optical access network using a self-latching variable splitter remotely powered through an optical fiber link

We present a 1:2 variable optical splitter (VOS) with a self-latching property. This new generation of optical coupler presents two coupling ratio states (50%–50% and 100%–0%) and is based on magneto-optical technology. Fabricated VOS has an intrinsic loss of about 1 dB with a polarization-dependent loss (PDL) less than 0.1 dB. The flatness of the optical characteristics has also been measured in the C+L band at various temperatures. The active optical component needs an electrical pulse (with =1 ms) of around 2 V and 60 mA to be activated. Various passive optical network (PON) architectures using active 1:2 VOSs with self latching are investigated here. These components are cascaded to make a splitter with a tunable number of branches. The use of this splitter allows the achievement of adaptive, flexible, and scalable optical network architectures. The devices can be implemented in the central office (CO) or in the middle of the network. Last, we propose a remote powering and/or monitoring technology using a fiber-optic link in order to activate the dynamic optical power splitter. The key element of this technology is a pigtailed power converter module. The powering system avoids use of a local power supply via a power line and/or battery, maintains the passive and reliable properties of the network, and significantly limits its cost.