Which Passive Optical Network (PON) topology involves placing optical splitters at the headend?

The correct answer is the home-run topology. In a home-run optical network configuration, the optical fibers run individually from the headend directly to each end customer, allowing for dedicated bandwidth and simplified installation. However, this does not involve the use of optical splitters at the headend.

In contrast, the tree and branch topology does involve placing splitters at the headend, where a single optical fiber is split into multiple fibers through passive splitters. This configuration efficiently distributes the signal to multiple endpoints, allowing multiple users to share the bandwidth.

Point-to-point topology directly connects each end user to a single optical line without using splitters at the headend, while an active PON involves the use of powered equipment to manage and amplify signals over the network, typically not utilizing optical splitters at the headend either.

Therefore, the home-run topology is not the correct choice as it does not feature splitters at the headend, highlighting a fundamental aspect of various PON topologies.