Reference list of common acronyms and terms you may encounter in Fiber Optics, Remote Fiber Test Systems (RFTS) and PON applications
1:N - Splitter ratio
4G - Fourth Generation mobile network infrastructure
5G - Fifth Generation mobile network infrastructure
APC - Angled Physical Contact (type of connector end face, e.g. SC-APC)
API - Application Programming Interface
A-PON - ATM Passive Optical Network
ARPU - Average Revenue Per User
ATM - Asynchronous Transfer Mode (data transmission technology)
B-PON - Broadband Passive Optical Network (ITU-T)
BiDi - Bidirectional optical interface using a single strand of fiber, using different wavelengths for each transmission direction.
CAPEX - Capital Expenditures
CEx - Coexistence Element
CO - Central Office
Colored Optics - Optical interfaces with specific (or tunable) wavelength used for WDM and coexistence applications
CSP - Communication Service Provider
CWDM - Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing
DAA - Distributed Access Architecture
dB - Decibels (relative measure of power gain or loss)
dBm - Decibel-milliwatt (measure of power level, referenced to 1 mW)
DUT - Device Under Test
DW - Downstream Wavelength
DWDM - Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
E2E - End To End
E-PON - Ethernet Passive Optical Network (IEEE)
F1/F2 - Multi-fiber cables connecting 1st and 2nd stage splitters
FC - Ferrule Connector (type of 2.5mm fiber optic connector)
FCC - Federal Communications Commission (USA)
FDH - Fiber Distribution Hub
FL - Fault Locator
FTTB - Fiber To The Building
FTTC - Fiber To The Curb or Cabinet
FTTH - Fiber To The Home
FTTP - Fiber To The Premise
FTTx - Generic for FTTB, FTTH, FTTP, etc.
FUT - Fiber Under Test
FWDM - Filtered Wave-Division Multiplexer
G-PON - Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network (ITU-T)
GE - Gigabit/s Ethernet
GIS - Geographic Information (management) System
Grey Optics - Optical interfaces with fixed wavelengths at commonly used 850nm, 1300nm 1310nm, 1550nm.
HFC - Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial access network architecture
IEC - International Electrotechnical Commission (international standardization body)
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (international standardization body)
ISP - Internet Service Provider
ITU-T - International Telecommunication Union - Telecom (international standardization body)
KML - Keyhole Markup Language (File format used to display geographic data in Earth/Map browsers)
KPI - Key Performance Indicators
LC - Lucent Connector (type of 1.25mm fiber optic connector)
LTS - Loss Test Set (test equipment)
MDU - Multi-Dwelling Unit (e.g., apartment building)
MPO - Multi-fiber Push-On connector (also known as MTP)
MSO - Multiple System Operator (often refer to cable TV providers offering multiple services, such Internet and phone)
MTP - Multi-fiber Push-On connector (also known as MPO)
MTTR - Mean Time To Repair
MTU - Multi-Tennant Unit (e.g., office building)
mW - Milliwatt (unit of power)
NE - Network Element
NG-PON2 - Next Generation Passive Optical Network (ITU-T)
nm - Nanometer (wavelength)
NMS - Network Management System
NNI - Network-to-Network Interface
NOC - Network Operation Center
NTE - Network Termination Equipment
OCC - Optical Channel Checker (multi-wavelength meter, test equipment)
OCM - Optical Channel Monitor (multi-wavelength meter, test equipment)
ODN - Optical Distribution Network (includes fibers and splitters between OLT and ONU/ONT)
OLT - Optical Line Terminal
OLTS - Optical Loss Test Set (test equipment)
ONT - Optical Network Terminal (ITU-T)
ONU - Optical Network Unit (IEEE)
OOS - Out Of Service
OPEX - Operational Expenditures
OPM - Optical Power Meter (test equipment)
OSA - Optical Spectrum Analyzer (test equipment)
OSP - Outside Plant
OSS - Operations Support System
OTDR - Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (test equipment)
P2P - Point To Point (link or network architecture)
PC - Physical Contact (type of connector end face, e.g. SC-PC)
PLOAM - Physical Layer Operations, Administration and Maintenace messages
PNM - Proactive Network Monitoring
POL - Passive Optical Local area network
PON - Passive Optical Networks (point-to-multipoint architecture)
QoE - Quality of Experience
QoS - Quality of Service
R-PHY - Remote PHY architecture
RDOF - Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (USA initiative to promote the construction and operation of rural broadband networks)
RFoG - Radio Frequency Over Glass
RFTS - Remote Fiber Test (and monitoring) System
RPO - Recovery Point Objectives
RTO - Recovery Time Objectives
RTU - Remote Test Unit (centralized test head or probe consisting of OTDR and optical switches)
SC - Subscriber Connector (type of 2.5mm fiber optic connector)
SLA - Service Level Agreement
SMNP - Simple Network Management Protocol
SOR - Standard OTDR Record (trace file)
SUT - System Under Test
TDMA - Time Division Multiplex Access
Telco - Telephone Company (now offering multiple services, such Internet and video)
THz - Terahertz (frequency)
TLS - Tunable Laser Source
UNI - Uset-to-Network Interface
UW - Upstream Wavelength
WDM - Wavelength Division Multiplexing
WFM - Work From Home (telecommuting)
WMS - Web Map Service
XG-PON - 10G Passive Optical Network
XGS-PON - 10G Symmetrical Passive Optical Network
XG(S)-PON - Generic for XG and XGS PON
X-haul - Generic for Fronthaul, Midhaul and Backhaul cellular communication links
xWDM - Generic for DWDM and CWDM
λ - Lambda. Represents a laser wavelength (nm or THz)
Related Test & Measurement Tools
VeEX Fiber Optics Test Solutions