Which multimode fiber

Plastic optical fiber POF is a modern plastic-based cable that ensures performance much like glass cable for brief runs, but economically. On the contrary, single-mode fibers include a small glass core, usually close to 9 microns. With single-mode fibers, data can be transmitted at high speed over longer distances. Multi-mode fibers are more vulnerable to attenuation compared with single-mode fibers. Multi-mode fiber provides users with high bandwidth at high speeds across moderate distances.

Light waves are spread into various modes, or paths, as they travel via the core of the cable, usually at or nm. On the other hand, in long cable runs e. This ultimately results in an ambiguous and incomplete transmission of data.

Multi-mode fibers may not be suitable for high-speed data transmission. Single Mode fiber optic cable has a small diametral core that allows only one mode of light to propagate.

Because of this, the number of light reflections created as the light passes through the core decreases, lowering attenuation and creating the ability for the signal to travel further. Multimode fiber optic cable has a large diametral core that allows multiple modes of light to propagate. Because of this, the number of light reflections created as the light passes through the core increases, creating the ability for more data to pass through at a given time.

Because of the high dispersion and attenuation rate with this type of fiber, the quality of the signal is reduced over long distances. RF broadband signals, such as what cable companies commonly use, cannot be transmitted over multimode fiber. Bandwidth—The bandwidth of single-mode is higher than multimode as much as , GHz. Know more infro about single mode vs multimode fiber here: Single-mode Cabling Cost vs. Multimode Cabling Cost. Each one has its own advantages, disadvantages, and capabilities.

So what are the differences and what do they mean to your implementation? This table of common multimode fiber connectors gives an overview of strengths and weaknesses. Although single mode fiber patch cable is advantageous in terms of bandwidth and reach for longer distances, multimode fiber easily supports most distances required for enterprise and data center networks at a cost dramatically less than single mode fiber.

Besides, multimode fiber optic cable still has many significant advantages. Multimode fiber features carrying multiple signals at the same time in the same line.

Most importantly, the total power inside the signals carries almost no loss. Therefore, the network user can send more than one packet in the cable at the same time, and all information will be delivered to their destination with out any interference and keep unchanged. While the single mode fiber often uses a laser or laser diodes to produce light injected into the cable. And the commonly used single mode fiber wavelength is nm and nm.

While single mode fiber bandwidth is unlimited theoretically because it allows only one light mode to pass through at a time. According to the TIAC standard definition, for non-military applications, single mode cable is coated with yellow outer sheath, and multimode fiber is coated with orange or aqua jacket.

Because multimode optical fiber has a large core size and supports more than one light mode, its fiber distance is limited by modal dispersion which is a common phenomenon in multimode step-index fiber. While single mode fiber is not. In addition, OS2 single mode fiber could support longer distances in 40G and G links, which is not listed in the table.

Numbers of people have expressed their own opinions. Their views mainly focus on the optical transceiver cost, system cost and installation cost.

Optical Transceiver Cost. Compared to single-mode transceivers, the price of multimode transceivers is nearly two or three times lower. The following table takes FS compatible Cisco single-mode transceivers and multimode transceivers as an example. From the table, we can see that the price difference gains greatly with the speed increasing.