The four main types of optical splitters are Fused Biconical Taper (FBT), Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC), tree-like, and star coupler splitters.

1. Fused Biconical Taper (FBT) Splitters

FBT splitters are created by fusing and tapering two or more optical fibers together. They are widely used in small-scale passive optical networks with split configurations like 1×2, 1×4, or 2×2. FBT splitters are cost-effective and suitable for short-distance applications, but their performance can vary with wavelength and temperature, making them less ideal for large-scale deployments .

2. Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) Splitters

PLC splitters use lithographically fabricated waveguides on a silica substrate to distribute light evenly. They provide high uniformity, low insertion loss, and wide wavelength range, making them ideal for large-scale networks such as FTTH and PON systems. PLC splitters can handle high split ratios like 1×32 or 1×64 and are available in compact, durable packages suitable for indoor and outdoor use .

3. Tree-Like Splitters

Tree-like splitters are designed to achieve high splitting ratios by cascading multiple splitting stages in a hierarchical structure. This design allows a single input fiber to serve many outputs efficiently. They are commonly used in large passive optical networks where multiple endpoints need to be connected from a single fiber source .

4. Star Coupler Splitters

Star couplers distribute optical signals uniformly to multiple outputs. They are often used in measurement systems and network monitoring where equal signal distribution is critical. Star couplers are valued for their uniform splitting characteristics and are typically implemented in optical test setups or specialized network configurations .

Additional Notes

Some sources also mention Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) splitters, which separate signals based on wavelength rather than power distribution. While WDM splitters are specialized, the four types above—FBT, PLC, tree-like, and star coupler—represent the primary categories used in most optical network deployments . These splitters are essential for FTTH, PON, and FTTX networks, enabling a single fiber to serve multiple users efficiently without converting optical signals to electrical signals .