PON Power Budget Calculator
Calculate whether your fibre link will work. Enter your network parameters below to see total path loss and remaining optical margin.
Link Parameters
Typical: 0.35 dB/km at 1310nm, 0.22 dB/km at 1550nm
Splitters
Connectors & Splices
Recommended: 3 dB minimum. Accounts for ageing, temperature, and bending.
Results
PASS
Remaining Margin 0.0 dB
Loss Breakdown
| Fibre loss | 0.00 dB |
| Splitter loss | 0.00 dB |
| Connector loss | 0.00 dB |
| Splice loss | 0.00 dB |
| Safety margin | 0.00 dB |
| Total path loss | 0.00 dB |
| SFP budget | 0.00 dB |
Maximum Reach
At current splitter/connector/splice config, max fibre distance: 0 km
How This Calculator Works
The optical power budget determines whether a PON link will work. The formula is:
Remaining Margin = SFP Budget − (Fibre Loss + Splitter Loss + Connector Loss + Splice Loss + Safety Margin)If the remaining margin is positive, the link will function. A margin above 3 dB is considered safe for long-term operation, accounting for connector ageing, temperature variation, and micro-bending over time.
Standard Loss Values
| Component | Typical Loss | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-mode fibre (1310nm) | 0.35 dB/km | ITU-T G.652 |
| Single-mode fibre (1550nm) | 0.22 dB/km | Lower loss, longer reach |
| Fusion splice | 0.05 – 0.1 dB | Machine-dependent |
| Mechanical splice | 0.1 – 0.5 dB | Avoid in trunk routes |
| SC/APC connector | 0.2 – 0.5 dB | Standard for PON |
| 1:32 PLC splitter | 17 – 18 dB | Most common GPON config |
SFP Class Budgets
| Class | Power Budget | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| B+ | 28 dB | Short reach, low split ratios |
| C+ | 32 dB | Standard GPON deployments |
| C++ | 35 dB | Extended reach, high split ratios |