What is the PLC splitter chip called

The PLC splitter chip is called an optical PLC chip, based on planar lightwave circuit technology.

A PLC splitter chip is the core component inside a PLC (Planar Lightwave Circuit) splitter, responsible for dividing a single optical signal into multiple outputs or combining multiple signals into one or two outputs . It is a passive optical device fabricated using silica optical waveguide technology on a semiconductor substrate, which ensures precise and stable light distribution across all output ports .

Structure and Function

The PLC splitter chip typically consists of:

• Optical waveguides formed on a silica substrate using photolithography
• Input and output optical arrays coupled to the chip ends
• Configurations for different split ratios, such as 1×2, 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, 1×32, 1×64, and even 1×128 The chip can be designed as balanced (symmetrical), distributing light evenly to all outputs, or unbalanced (asymmetrical), allocating more power to specific channels depending on network requirements .

Applications

PLC splitter chips are widely used in Passive Optical Networks (PON), including FTTH, GPON, EPON, and BPON, to efficiently distribute optical signals from a central office to multiple subscribers . Their low insertion loss, low polarization-dependent loss (PDL), and high reliability make them ideal for large-scale fiber optic deployments . In summary, the optical PLC chip is the semiconductor-based micro-optical element at the heart of a PLC splitter, enabling precise, scalable, and reliable optical signal distribution in modern fiber networks .