FTTdp: Tailored to Operator Needs

Large-scale deployment of FTTx has exposed many shortcomings in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and fiber-to-the-building (FTTB). FTTH requires high investment in ODN, lengthy construction period for optical lines, and much difficulty in deploying fiber into the home. With FTTB there are two main issues: energizing multi-dwelling units in the corridor and low port availability. To address these issues, ZTE has unveiled an innovative fiber-to-the-distribution-point (FTTdp) solution that uses advanced virtual MAC for flexible access.

ZTE has developed FTTdp MDU, a multiport distribution point unit (DPU) that supports reverse power supply, extends FTTx network applications, and meets the diverse requirements of an FTTdp solution.

ZTE’s FTTdp solution enables
● flexible networking. The solution adopts industry-leading virtual MAC technology to enable multiple ONTs to work under one MAC address. An optical module plus PON MAC can support eight PON MAC addresses. This reduces the number of optical splitters used, increases optical power budget by more than 10 dB, and makes networking more flexible. As a result, both the management and service models of FTTdp are exactly the same as those of FTTH.
● flexible access. The solution fully uses existing subscriber lines and information boxes. The equipment is installed in the information box in the corridor, and the existing Category-5 cables or twisted pairs are used to bring the connection to the home. This addresses the difficulty of deploying fiber into the home in FTTH mode.
● flexible installation. The solution supports all kinds of information boxes, with each box covering up to 16 homes. Designed with information box, installation, and OAM in mind, FTTdp MDU is compact and easy to install. 
● flexible commissioning. The solution reduces initial investment. Each user corresponds to a plug-in card, and the plug-in cards can be added or deleted according to the number of users or ports. The solution also supports automatic FTTH commissioning and provides 100% port availability. All types of user network interfaces are supported, and there are multiple choices of medium for access to home.
● flexible power supply. The solution supports both local power supply by the information box and reverse power supply.
● complete optical device monitoring and protection. Optical modules can be replaced to prevent aging. FTTdp MDU supports optical link supervision and monitors parameters such as working temperature, power voltage, bias current, transmitting/receiving power of optical modules. It also supports internal calibration, self-detecting long-lasting phosphorescence, and disabling optical modules.
● reusing the existing copper without changes to the subscriber’s home network. The solution provides high-speed access (hundreds of Mbps) to subscribers.