The PON CBT includes an active glossary with definitions for many of the technical
terms included in the CBT.
This example provides the definitions for all of the terms under the letter "F".
Click on each of the terms to see the definition.
Please click 'NEXT' to continue.
Fabry-Perot Laser:
A standard laser diode consisting of a semiconductor cleaved on each end forming
a resonant chamber to create the lasing effect. Used in digital applications.
Fast Ethernet:
Ethernet at 100 Megabits per second. When it was first standardized, this version of
Ethernet was ten times faster than any previously available version, but it has since been surpassed by Gigabit
Ethernet.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC):
A United States regulative body created in 1934 to standardize and control both
interstate and internationally transmitted communications.
Fiber-Bragg Grating:
A narrow-band reflection filter permanently doped into the core of a single-mode
fiber that allows only specified wavelength(s) to pass or reflect. Used primarily for some forms of WDM
technology.
Fiber In The Loop (FITL):
An earlier version of OSP architecture, deployed by some telecommunications companies
for the potential of broadband services to the customer.
Fiber Optic Cable:
A communications cable that protects one or more optical fibers, each capable of
transmitting data via modulated light waves.
Fiber to the Building / Business (FTTB):
A topological reference to a PON network supporting multiple subscribers in a single
structure, i.e., a business or a building.
Fiber to the Curb / Customer (FTTC):
Network where an optical fiber runs from a Central Office to a curbside distribution
point close to the subscriber, where it is converted to a copper subscriber drop cable.
Fiber to the Home (FTTH):
An optical access network in which the ONT is on or within the customer's premises.
The upgrade capacity of an FTTH network exceeds all other transmission media.
Fiber to the Node (FTTN) :
An access network in which fiber is used for part, but not all, of the link from the
OLT to the end-user. An optical-to-electrical (O/E) conversion takes place at an active device called a node. This
node typically serves a neighborhood or geographically similar area, which is larger than the typical service area
in an FTTC deployment. The terminal network segment is usually twisted copper pairs or coaxial cable. Most current
CATV and telephony networks have FTTN architectures.
Fiber to the Office (FTTO):
Used in conjunction with FTTH, where optical fiber is used to replace the final length
of copper wire within an office building or group of office buildings (MAN).
Fiber to the Premises (FTTP):
Coined around the preliminary debates associated with the RBOCs and the CLECs before
the FCC triennial review of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. A less generic term for FTTx.
Four-Wave Mixing:
The creation of additional undesired wavelengths in the 1550 nm range. Primarily
associated with DWDM and EDFAs.
Frequency Division Multiplexing:
Older technology in which the bandwidth of a transmission signal is divided by
frequency.
FTTx:
Fiber to the "x" (curb, building, home, etc.)
Full Service Access Network (FSAN):
A forum for the world's leading telecommunications services providers and equipment
suppliers to work towards a common goal of truly broadband access networks.
