OLT stands for optical line terminal. According to the reference, the optical line terminal is a device used to connect the optical fiber and transfer signals and makes a significant difference in PON (passive optical network).
In simpler terms, an OLT is a key piece of equipment in a fiber optic network. Think of it as the central hub at the service provider's location. It connects to the optical distribution network (ODN), and manages the flow of data to and from the optical network units (ONUs) or optical network terminals (ONTs) at the end-users' locations.
Here's a breakdown:
- Optical Line Terminal (OLT): The main equipment located at the central office (e.g., your internet service provider's location).
- Optical Fiber: The medium through which data is transmitted as light pulses.
- Passive Optical Network (PON): The overall architecture using fiber optics to deliver data to end-users.
- Optical Network Unit/Terminal (ONU/ONT): The device located at the customer's premises (your home or business) that converts the optical signal back into electrical signals that your devices can use.
