What's the importance of fiber optic splitter in Data Center?

Mar. 11, 2025

What is role of fiber optic splitter?

In today’s fiber optic communication world, data centers are the backbone of digital infrastructure, supporting everything from cloud computing to streaming services. As data demands skyrocket, these facilities must prioritize efficiency, scalability, and reliability. Fiber optic splitter contributes to helping users maximize the performance of optical network circuits.One unsung hero enabling these goals is the Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) splitter. Often overlooked, PLC splitters play a pivotal role in optimizing fiber optic networks within data centers. Fiber optic splitter, also referred to as optical splitter, fiber splitter or PLC splitter, is an integrated waveguide optical power distribution device that can split an incident light beam into two or more light beams, and vice versa, containing multiple input and output ends. Optical splitter has played an important role in passive optical networks.

What Is a fiber optic Splitter?

Fiber optic splitter is a passive optical device used to distribute optical signals, which can divide input optical signals into multiple outputs to meet the fiber optic access needs of multiple terminal devices. Optical splitters are a very important component in fiber optic communication, fiber optic sensing, and fiber optic testing.

There are two types of fiber splitters：PLC splitter and FBT Splitter. Unlike traditional fused biconical taper (FBT) splitters, PLC splitters are fabricated using semiconductor manufacturing techniques. They consist of a silica glass waveguide circuit etched onto a chip, allowing precise splitting of light signals with minimal loss.

Key characteristics of PLC splitters include:

High splitting ratios (e.g., 1x8, 1x16, 1x32).
Uniform signal distribution across output ports.
Low insertion loss and high reliability.
Compact design, ideal for high-density environments.

These features make PLC splitters a cornerstone of fiber optic networks, especially in data centers where space, speed, and stability are non-negotiable.

Why Data Centers Demand PLC FO Splitters

Modern data centers face unprecedented challenges: exponential data growth, energy consumption concerns, and the need for ultra-low latency. PLC splitters address these challenges in three critical ways:

1. Enabling High-Density Fiber Networks

Data centers rely on fiber optics to handle massive data traffic. PLC splitters allow a single optical fiber to serve multiple endpoints by splitting signals into identical streams. For example, a 1x32 PLC splitter can connect one transceiver to 32 devices, reducing the number of fibers required. This dramatically lowers cabling complexity and frees up valuable space in server racks.

With cloud providers and hyperscale data centers pushing for higher port densities, PLC splitters enable scalable architectures without compromising performance.

2. Reducing Costs and Energy Consumption

Deploying individual fibers for every connection is cost-prohibitive and inefficient. PLC splitters minimize the need for additional lasers, transceivers, and fibers, leading to:

Lower capital expenditure (CapEx) on hardware.
Reduced power consumption due to fewer active components.
Simplified maintenance, as passive splitters have no moving parts.

By optimizing resource utilization, PLC splitters align with the industry’s push toward greener, more sustainable data centers.

3. Enhancing Signal Integrity and Reliability

Data centers cannot tolerate signal degradation or downtime. PLC splitters excel in maintaining signal uniformity across all output ports, ensuring consistent performance for applications like:

Cloud storage and computing
Content delivery networks (CDNs)
AI/ML workloads
5G backhaul connections

Their wavelength-agnostic design (operating across 1260–1650 nm) also makes them compatible with multiple protocols, including GPON, XGS-PON, and Ethernet.

Applications of optical splitter fiber in Data Centers

PLC splitters are versatile tools that support a wide range of use cases:

1. Passive Optical LAN (POL) Architectures

POL replaces traditional copper-based LANs with fiber optics, using PLC splitters to distribute signals to end-users. This setup reduces latency, boosts bandwidth, and simplifies network management—ideal for large-scale data centers.

2. Network Redundancy and Load Balancing

By splitting traffic across multiple paths, PLC splitters enable redundancy. If one fiber fails, traffic reroutes seamlessly, minimizing downtime. They also balance loads during peak demand, preventing bottlenecks.

3. Interconnecting Server Racks and Modules

In hyperscale data centers, PLC splitters facilitate communication between thousands of servers. A single splitter can link a top-of-rack (ToR) switch to multiple servers, streamlining east-west traffic.

4. Supporting Multi-Tenant Environments

For colocation providers, PLC splitters allow secure partitioning of bandwidth among tenants. Each client receives a dedicated signal stream without cross-talk, ensuring data isolation.

PLC Splitters vs fiber coupler FBT. Alternatives: What Are the Differences?

FBT fiber optic splitters are still used in some scenarios, PLC splitters outperform them in data center applications:

PLC fiber splitter precision and scalability make them the go-to choice for future-ready data centers.

Factor	PLC Splitter	FBT Splitter
Splitting Uniformity	±0.5 dB across all ports	±1.5 dB (varies with wavelength)
Scalability	Supports up to 1x64 splits	Limited to 1x32 splits
Temperature Stability	Operates from -40°C to 85°C	Sensitive to temperature shifts
Lifespan	>25 years	~15 years

Operating Wavelength

FBT splitter only supports three wavelengths: 850nm, 1310nm, and 1550nm, which makes its inability to work on other wavelengths. The PLC splitter can support wavelengths from 1260 to 1650nm. The adjustable range of wavelength makes PLC splitter suitable for more applications.

What's the Importance of PLC Splitters in Data Center?

Splitting Ratio

Splitting ratio is decided by the inputs and outputs of an optical cable splitter. The maximum split ratio of FBT splitter is up to 1:32, which means one or two inputs can be split into an output maximum of 32 fibers at a time. However, the split ratio of PLC splitter is up to 1:64 - one or two inputs with an output maximum of 64 fibers. Besides, FBT splitter is customizable, and the special types are 1:3, 1:5, 1:7, etc. But PLC splitter is non-customizable, and it has only standard versions like 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, 1:32, and so on.

What's the Importance of PLC Splitters in Data Center?

Splitting Uniformity
The signal processed by FBT splitters cannot be split evenly due to a lack of management of the signals, so its transmission distance can be affected. However, PLC splitter can support equal splitter ratios for all branches, which can ensure a more stable optical transmission.

What's the Importance of PLC Splitters in Data Center?

Failure Rate
FBT fiber coupler splitter is typically used for networks requiring the splitter configuration of less than 4 splits. The larger the split, the greater the failure rate. When its splitting ratio is larger than 1:8, more errors will occur and cause a higher failure rate. Thus, FBT splitter is more restricted to the number of splits in one coupling. But the failure rate of PLC splitter is much smaller.

Future Trends: PLC Splitters and Next-Gen Data Centers

As data centers evolve, PLC splitters will adapt to new demands:

1. Co-Packaged Optics (CPO)

CPO integrates optical engines directly with ASICs, reducing power consumption. PLC splitters will play a role in distributing signals within these tightly packed systems.

2. Quantum Networking

Quantum data centers will require ultra-stable optical networks. PLC splitters’ low-loss characteristics could support quantum key distribution (QKD) and entanglement-based systems.

3. Edge Data Centers

Compact, rugged PLC splitters will enable fiber-efficient edge deployments, bringing computational power closer to users.

Conclusion: PLC Splitters—A Small Component with Massive Impact

PLC splitters may be small, but their role in data centers is monumental. By enabling high-density, cost-effective, and reliable fiber networks, they empower data centers to meet the demands of AI, IoT, and beyond. As bandwidth needs grow, investing in PLC splitter technology isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity for staying competitive.

For data center operators, partnering with trusted PLC splitter manufacturers ensures access to cutting-edge solutions tailored to tomorrow’s challenges. Whether you’re upgrading an existing facility or designing a hyperscale hub, PLC splitters will remain a cornerstone of optical innovation.

Ready to optimize your data center’s fiber infrastructure? Explore our range of high-performance PLC splitters designed for scalability and reliability. Contact with us by WhatsApp. to learn how we can future-proof your network!

Optical Splitter PLC 1x8 SC/APC 0.9mm

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