Book excerpt: This book presents fundamental passive optical network (PON) concepts, providing you with the tools needed to understand, design, and build these new access networks. The logical sequence of topics begins with the underlying principles and components of optical fiber communication technologies used in access networks. Next, the book progresses from descriptions of PON and fiber-to-the-X (FTTX) alternatives to their application to fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks and, lastly, to essential measurement and testing procedures for network installation and maintenance. An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the Wiley editorial department.