Active Optical Network (AON) and Passive Optical Network (PON) are two types of optical fiber network architectures used for high-speed data transmission. The main difference between these two types of networks lies in the way data is distributed and managed.
In an Active Optical Network (AON), the data signal is transmitted over the fiber optic cable to an active component such as a switch or a router, which then forwards the signal to its final destination. The active components in the network require a power source and can be expensive to install and maintain. AONs are typically used in large enterprises, data centers, and other high-bandwidth applications where reliability and speed are critical.
On the other hand, in a Passive Optical Network (PON), the data signal is transmitted from a central location, such as a service provider, to multiple end-users via a passive optical splitter. The splitter divides the signal into multiple streams, which are then distributed to individual end-users. PONs do not require any active components, which makes them less expensive to install and maintain than AONs. PONs are typically used in residential and small business applications where cost-effectiveness and scalability are more critical than high bandwidth and low latency.
In summary, the main differences between Active Optical Network (AON) and Passive Optical Network (PON) are:
- AON uses active components like switches and routers, while PON uses passive optical splitters.
- AON requires a power source and is more expensive to install and maintain than PON.
- PON is typically used in residential and small business applications, while AON is used in large enterprises, data centers, and other high-bandwidth applications.
