What is a characteristic of Passive Optical Networks (PON)?

A characteristic of Passive Optical Networks (PON) is that they can operate without external power. This is a significant feature because PONs utilize passive optical splitters, which do not require electrical power to function. These splitters divide the optical signal coming from a single fiber into multiple outputs that can be distributed to different endpoints, such as homes or businesses. The lack of active components at each node allows for simpler network infrastructure and reduces operational costs since there is no need for power supply management at these locations.

This design also contributes to the increased reliability and lower maintenance requirements of PONs compared to active networks, which do require powered devices at every node to manage the data transmission actively. Consequently, the ability for PON systems to function without external power is a defining characteristic that highlights their efficiency and suitability for deploying fiber optic technology in various scenarios.