Development of Passive In-Line Monitoring (PIM) Device Prototype for FTTH Access Network

This paper focused on developing a fully passive device prototype named Passive In-line Monitoring (PIM) device, which used to tap out a small ratio of triple-play signals for monitoring purpose without affecting the transmission in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) access network. This device will be installed with the main lines in FTTH permanently to allow the field engineers or technicians to simply connect it to a portable tester unit for transmission surveillance and failure detection. The PIM device is used to sharply determine the location of break point before repairing. A passive tapper circuit is required to obtain the optical signals to provide a visual way of monitoring the receiving signal performance. The entire optical components that had been used in the circuit design including connectors, splices, optical isolators, and optical couplers. This device is potentially to improve the service reliability and reduce the repairing cost and time.