In a PON, which category of fiber-optic cable is routed from the headend into the optical distribution network (ODN)?

In a Passive Optical Network (PON), the category of fiber-optic cable that is routed from the headend to the Optical Distribution Network (ODN) is trunk fiber. This type of fiber is crucial because it forms the backbone of the network, carrying multiple signals across longer distances compared to other types of fiber.

Trunk fiber typically connects the central office (or headend) to the distribution points, allowing for the aggregation of signals before they are routed to individual customer premises. It is designed to handle higher capacity and longer runs, which is essential for the efficiency and effectiveness of the network.

Other types of fiber used in a PON setup serve different purposes: splice fiber is used for connecting segments of fiber, drop fiber is dedicated to the final connection from the distribution point to the end-user, and distribution fiber connects the trunk fiber to these drop fibers but does not serve the primary long-distance role. Understanding the specific roles of each fiber category is important for comprehending the overall architecture and operational efficiency of a PON.