The most important feature of ATM-PON, is its passive multipoint type network structure. It combines the ATM technology and passive optical network technology to provide a variety of services from existing narrowband to broadband. ATM-PON by the OLT, ONU / ONT and passive optical splitter components. Wherein, Splitter is an optical splitter, which according to the transmission direction of the light, the incoming optical signal splitter and assigned to the plurality of optical fibers, or a combination to the one fiber. ONU / ONT mainly to complete the collection business, interface adapter, multiplexing and transmission functions, OLT mainly to complete the interface adapter, multiplexing and transmission. In addition, OLT also to network element management system provides network management interface.

ODN (Optical Distribution Network) optical splitter work is passive, passive optical network "passive" This is the origin of the word. But ONU and OLT is working in active mode, which requires an external power supply to work properly. Therefore, the use of passive optical network access technology, not all devices are working in conditions without external feeding, only ODN part is not an active device.