Pluggable Fiber Optic Transceivers

An optical transceiver can best be described as a device that converts high-speed data from a cable source to an optical signal for communication over optical fiber. Optical transceivers are used to update the communications networks to manage broadband, to update the data center networks to make them manage traffic with higher speeds, to implement the backbone network for mobile communications.

For transceivers that plugs into Gigabit Ethernet and links to a fiber optic network, the Gigabit Interface Convertor is the standard and SFP is for small form factor pluggable transceiver. The GBIC transceiver operates as an input and output transceiver and is linked with the fiber optic network generally through the optic patch cords. GBIC transceivers are deemed to be ideal for any interconnections over the Gigabit Ethernet centers and for switches environment. The converters are virtually intended for high performance and continuing interactions that have need of gigabit or fiber channel interconnections. From SFP, users are able to generate connections utilizing the multi or single mode fiber optic ports along with the copper wiring.

The GBIC transceiver and the Cisco SFP offer companies with the opportunity to set up a Fiber Channel and Gigabit Ethernet connection effortlessly within their network. However, many Cisco GBIC transceivers would be the Cisco GLC-SX-MM, GLC-T, GLC-LH-SM, GLC-ZX-SM, and so much more. There are also 155M/622M/1.25G/2.125G/4.25G/8G/10G SFP optical transceivers, among which 155M and 1.25G are used widely on the market.

GBIC, SFP, SFP+, SFP, 1×9 covers low rate to 10G products, and is fully compatible with the global mainstream vendor equipment. And 10G SFP+ technology is becoming mature, with rising trend development of demand. 10G SFP optical module has been through development of 300Pin, XENPAK, X2, XFP, ultimately achieving to transmit 10G signals by the same size with SFP, and this is SFP+. SFP+, by its virtue of small size and low cost, meets the high-density requirements of devices to optic modules. Since 2010, it has replaced XFP and become the main stream in 10G market.

The SFP+ modules support digital diagnostics and monitoring functions, which are accessed through a 2-pin serial bus and provide calibrated, absolute real-time measurements of the laser bias current, transmitted optical power, received optical power, internal QSFP transceivers temperature, and the supply voltage. Digital diagnostic functionality allows telecommunication and data communications companies to implement reliable performance monitoring of the optical link in an accurate and cost-effective way.

Optical transceiver market driving forces relate to the increased traffic coming from the Internet. The optical transceiver signal market is intensely competitive. There is increasing demand optical transceivers as communications markets grow in response to more use of smart phones and more Internet transmission of data. The global optical transceiver market will grow to $6.7 billion by 2019 driven by the availability of 100 Gbps devices and the vast increases in Internet data traffic.

A palette of pluggable optical transceivers includes GBIC, SFP, XFP, SFP+, X2 form factors are available at Fiberyes. These are able to accommodate a wide range of link spans. The 10Gbps optical transceivers can be used in telecom and datacom (SONET/SDH/DWDM/Gigabit Ethernet) applications to change an electrical signal into an optical signal and vice versa.

What is XFP Transceiver Module?

XFP is short for 10 Gigabit small form factor pluggable. It is a standard for transceivers for high-speed computer network and telecommunication links that use optical fiber. It is protocol-independent and fully compliant to the following standards: 10G Ethernet, 10G Fibre Channel, SONET OC-192, SDH STM-64 and OTN G.709, supporting bit rate from 9.95G through 11.3G, along with its interface to other electrical components which is called XFI. The 10-Gigabit XFP transceiver module is a hot-swappable I/O device that plugs into 10-Gigabit ports. The XFP transceiver module connects the electrical circuitry of the system with the optical network.

Standard

The XFI electrical interface specification was a 10 gigabit per second chip-to-chip electrical interface specification defined as part of the XFP multi-source agreement. It was also developed by the XFP MSA group. XFI provides a single lane running at 10.3125 Gbit/s when using a 64B/66B encoding scheme. A serializer/deserializer is often used to convert from a wider interface such as XAUI that has four lanes running at 3.125 Gbit/s using 8B/10B encoding. XFI is sometimes pronounced as “X” “F” “I” and other times as “ziffie”.

Types

XFP transceivers comply with the XFP multi source agreement developed by several leading companies in this industry. Typical types for XFP including the SR, LR, ER and ZR. XFP SR working distance is 300 meters max, it works with OM3 10GB multimode optical fiber. The other 3 types work with single mode fiber, XFP LR max distance is 10km, XFP ER is 40km, and XFP ZR max working span is 80km via SMF. XFP is regarded to be the new generation 10G solution after the Xenpak and X2 transceivers, many companies have developed the XFP 10G transceivers nowadays.

CWDM SFP optical transceiver

The CWDM SFP small form-factor pluggable (SFP) is a compact optical transceiver used in optical communications for both telecommunication and data communications applications on the CWDM SFP 1270, CWDM SFP 1290, CWDM SFP 1310, CWDM SFP 1330, CWDM SFP 1350, CWDM SFP 1370, CWDM SFP 1390, CWDM SFP 1410, CWDM SFP 1430, CWDM SFP 1450, CWDM SFP 1470, CWDM SFP 1490, CWDM SFP 1510, CWDM SFP 1530, CWDM SFP 1550, CWDM SFP 1570, CWDM SFP 1590, CWDM SFP 1610. wavelength. It is a popular industry format supported by several fiber optic omponent vendors. SFP transceivers are designed to support SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and other communications standards SFP transceivers are available with a variety of different transmitter and receiver types, allowing users to select the appropriate transceiver for each link to provide the required optical reach over the available optical fiber. 

FiberYes.com offers CWDM SFP transceivers which reach distances from 40KM up to 120KM. Frequently used wavelength: 1470nm, 1490nm, 1510nm, 1530nm, 1550nm, 1570nm, 1590nm, 1610nm. Other wavelength options: 1270nm, 1290nm, 1310nm, 1330nm, 1350nm, 1370nm, 1390nm, 1410nm, 1430nm, 1450nm. If you need customized services, please contact info@fiberyes.com for more details.

What are SFP transceiver and SFP standard?

Small form-factor pluggable is the full name of SFP, a prevailing type of fiber optic transceivers in the market. The transceiver can be simply regarded as the upgraded version of the GBIC module. SFP module is the half size of GBIC, but the numbers of ports configured on the same panels are double. Because the small-factor pluggable transceiver is the same function with GBIC, SFP transceivers is also called as mini-GBIC. By placing the CDR and electrical dispersion compensation outside the modules, SFP transceiver modules greatly compressed the size and power consumptions.

SFP Standard

SFP transceiver is regulated by a competition the Multilateral Agreement (MSA) between the manufacturers. The SFP is designed according to GBIC interface, allowing ratio the GBIC greater port density (the motherboard edge of the number of transceivers per inch), the SFP is also known as “mini-GBICs”. Compared with this small package transceivers (SFF transceiver), which is smaller than the SFP, but the SFF is soldered to the motherboard as a pin through-hole device, but not plugged into the edge.

Types

SFP transceivers have a variety of different transmission and receiving type, the user can select the appropriate transceiver for each link, to provide the optical performance can be achieved based on the available fiber type (such as a multimode fiber or single mode fiber). Optical SFP modules available are generally divided into the following categories:

>SX – 850 nm, for a maximum of 550 m at 1.25 Gbit/s (gigabit Ethernet) or 150m at 4.25 Gbit/s (Fibre Channel)

>LX – 1310 nm, for distances up to 10 km

>EX – 1310 nm, for distances up to 40 km

>ZX – 1550 nm, for distances up to 80 km, with green extraction lever (see GLC-ZX-SM1)

>EZX – 1550 nm, for distances up to 160 km

>BX – 1490 nm/1310 nm, Single Fiber Bi-Directional Gigabit SFP Transceivers, paired as BS-U and BS-D for Uplink and Downlink respectively, also for distancesup to 10 km.Variations of bidirectional SFPs are also manufactured which use 1550 nm in one direction

>1550 nm 40 km (XD), 80 km (ZX), 120 km (EX or EZX)

>SFSW – Single Fiber Single Wavelength transceivers, for bi-directional traffic on a single fiber. Coupled with CWDM, these double the traffic density of fiberlinks

>CWDM and DWDM transceivers at various wavelengths achieving various maximum distances for copper twisted pair cabling

>1000BASE-T – these modules incorporate significant interface circuitry[11] and can only be used for gigabit Ethernet, as that is the interface they implement. Theyare not compatible with (or rather: do not have equivalents for) Fibre channel or SONET

Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ Fiber Modules

The Cisco® 10GBASE SFP+ modules is one kind of fiber transceiver who offers customers a wide variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for data center, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications.

Main features of Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ modules include: it has the smallest 10G form factor ,hot-swappable input/output device that plugs into an Ethernet SFP+ port of a Cisco switch and optical inter operability with 10GBASE XENPAK, 10GBASE X2, and 10GBASE XFP interfaces on the same link. What;s more, it supports not only 10GBASE Ethernet and OTU2/OTU2e, “pay-as-you-populate” model, digital optical monitoring capability, but also the Cisco quality identification (ID) feature that enables a Cisco switch to identify whether the module is certified and tested by Cisco.

Then, some introductions about different kinds of the Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ Modules.

>Cisco SFP-10G-SR

The Cisco SFP+ 10GBASE-SR Module supports a link length of 26m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fiber (MMF). Using 2000MHz*km MMF (OM3), up to 300m link lengths are possible. Using 4700MHz*km MMF (OM4), up to 400m link lengths are possible.

The SFP-10G-SR price is favorable in Fiberyes. The following products price are favorable in Fiberyes.

>Cisco SFP-10G-SR-X

The Cisco SFP-10G-SR-X is a 10GBASE-SR module for extended operating temperature range. It supports a link length of 26m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fiber (MMF). Using 2000MHz*km MMF (OM3), up to 300m link lengths are possible. Using 4700MHz*km MMF (OM4), up to 400m link lengths are possible.

>Cisco SFP-10G-LR

The Cisco SFP+ 10GBASE-LR Module supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

>Cisco SFP-10G-LR-X

The Cisco SFP-10G-LR-X is a multirate 10GBASE-LR, 10GBASE-LW and OTU2/OTU2e module for extended operating temperature range. It supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

>Cisco SFP-10G-ER

The Cisco 10GBASE-ER Module supports a link length of up to 40 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

>Cisco SFP-10G-ZR

The Cisco SFP-10G-ZR is a multirate 10GBASE-ZR, 10GBASE-ZW and OTU2/OTU2e module. It supports link lengths of up to about 80 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652). This interface is not specified as part of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard and is instead built according to Cisco specifications.

>Cisco SFP+ Twinax Copper Cables

Cisco SFP+ Copper Twinax direct-attach cables are suitable for very short distances and offer a cost-effective way to connect within racks and across adjacent racks. Cisco offers passive Twinax cables in lengths of 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 5 meters, and active Twinax cables in lengths of 7 and 10 meters.

>Cisco SFP-10G-LRM

The Cisco SFP+ 10GBASE-LRM Module supports link lengths of 220m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) grade multimode fiber (MMF). To ensure that specifications are met over FDDI-grade, OM1 and OM2 fibers, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cord. No mode conditioning patch cord is required for applications over OM3 or OM4. The Cisco 10GBASE-LRM Module also supports link lengths of 300m on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

>Cisco FET-10G

The Cisco FET-10G Fabric Extender Transceiver support link lengths up to 100m on laser-optimized OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber. It is supported on fabric links only from a Nexus 2000 to a Cisco parent switch. Note this product is not orderable individually.

What is Fiber Patch Cables?

Fiber patch cable, known as fiber optic patch cord or fiber jumper cable, is really a fiber optic cable terminated with fiber optic connectors on both ends. It’s two major application areas: computer work station to outlet and fiber optic patch panels or optical cross connect distribution center. Fiber patch cables would be the backbone from the fiber optics industry. They’re strands of optically pure glass as thin as real hair. These cables carry information via mode of transmission of light. Short patch leads usually created using stranded wire are flexible patch cables. The fiber patch cables are used to plug one piece of equipment into another.

>Types

Fiber patch cables are utilized to two nearby components with fiber connectors. Fiber patch cables come with their respective connectors. They can be an ideal and easy replacement of copper cables because they make use of the same RJ45 connector as copper patch cables. Fiber patch cables can be found in simplex, duplex, multimode, single mode with ST-ST, ST-SC, SC-SC connectors. They are of two prominent types – single mode and multimode.

Single mode fiber patch cables are utilized in long-distance high capacity voice applications like telephone transmission or long-distance gigabit networking. These fiber patch cables can use 9/125 micron bulk fiber cables and connectors at both ends.

Multimode fiber patch cables are utilized in computer industry that is standard for data applications like local area network, wide area network, etc. Fiber patch cables in multimode are available in 50/62.5 micron. SC, ST, LC, FC, MT-RJ, E2000 and MU connectors have polished ceramic ferrules for precision and durability. The SC and LC duplex fiber patch cables come designed with a clip to keep polarity.

ST to ST fiber patch cable gives unlimited bandwidth at high speeds over long distances. These fiber patch cables are ideal for connections between fiber patch panels, hubs, switches, fiber media converters and routers, etc. Fiber patch cables provide higher speeds and increased bandwidth, when compared with conventional twisted-pair copper cable. These fiber patch cables are compatible with all standard fiber optic equipment and connectors. Ceramic connectors of those fiber patch cables ensure low signal loss and high reliability along with total immunity to electrical and electromagnetic interference.

>Application

They have various uses in most types of industries. Fiber patch cables are utilized in Medical Imaging, Mechanical Engineering, LAN Applications, CATV Networks, Telephone Lines, etc. Fiber patch cables have revolutionized the total network industry of telephones, cable, internet, audio applications, etc. The fiber patch cables offer accurate signal transfer that is totally distortion free. Thus because of these cables the audio or video transmission is completely distortion free and crystal clear. As these fiber patch cables use light as a mode of transmission there isn’t any hazard of electric interferences or any tampering.

Passive optical network-PON

Passive optical network-PON is a network that brings optical fiber singal to the end of users by the point-to-multipoint(P2MP) fiber to the premises in which optical splitters are used to “broadcast” signals to many users. A PON consists of an optical line terminal (OLT) at the service provider’s central office and a number of optical network units (ONUs) near end users. PONs also are called fiber to the home (FTTH) networks. Using PON system can reduce. The cost of the system substantially by sharing one set of electronics and an expensive laser with up to 32 homes. The main disadvantage is a shorter range of coverage limited by signal strength. While an active optical network (AON) can cover a range to about 100 km (62 miles), a PON is typically limited to fiber cable runs of up to 20 km (12 miles).

PON Groups

• APON
  The first PON systems that achieved significant commercial deployment had an electrical layer built on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM, or “cell switching”) and were called “APON.” These are still being used today. APON systems typically have downstream capacity of 155 Mbps or 622 Mbps, with the latter now the most common. Upstream transmission is in the form of cell bursts at 155 Mbps.
• BPON
  BPON, or broadband PON, was the most popular current PON application in the beginning. BPON uses ATM as the protocol. ATM is widely used for telephone networks and the methods of transporting all data types (voice, Internet, video, etc.) are well known. BPON digital signals operate at ATM rates of 155, 622 and 1244 Mb/s.
• GPON
  GPON, or gigabit-capable PON, uses an IP-based protocol and either ATM or GEM (GPON encapsulation method) encoding. which has a variety of speed options ranging from 622 Mbps symmetrical (the same upstream/downstream capacity) to 2.5 Gbps downstream and 1.25 Gbps upstream. From GPON, the future could take two branches: 1) 10 GPON would increase the speed of a single electrical broadband feed to 10G; and 2) WDM-PON would use wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) to split each signal into 32 branches.
• EPON or Ethernet PON is based on the IEEE standard for Ethernet in the First Mile. EPON 802.3ah specifies a similar passive network with a range of up to 20 km. It uses WDM with the same optical frequencies as GPON and TDMA. The raw line data rate is 1.25 Gbits/s in both the downstream and upstream directions. EPON is widely deployed in Asia. The system architecture is the same as GPON but data protocols are differenet.

How To Clean The Fiber Optic Connector ?

Fiber optic cleaning is one of the most important thing in the process of fiber optic system maintenance, which is required to keep quality connections between fiber optic equipment. As we know, the fiber optic connector consists of fiber optic plug and the adapter. The ends of the fiber optic cables are held in the core of ferrule in the plug. Keeping the fiber end face and ferrule absolutely clean is very essential, since any particles such as dust, oil or lint on the end face of the fiber, it will disrupt the light transmission trough the fiber and lead to the completeness of optical signals for the component or the entire system.

For proper performance of the SC fiber optic cable, you must keep the SC connector clean and free of dust. Small micro-deposit of oil and dust in the canal of the connector could cause loss of light, reducing signal power and possible causing intermittent problems with the optical connections. Below picture show the part of the end face of an unclean and clean ferrule of SC connectors.

What should be followed before the fiber optic cleaning

1.Before cleaning the fiber optic connectors, make sure to disconnect the fiber optic cables from both ends and then turn off any laser source.

2. Do not allow the end of the fiber optic cable to make contact with any surface including your fingers.

3.Never to bend the fiber cable, which will in turn cause internal breaks along the fiber and cause poor performance or instability.

4.Use the finger cots or powder free surgical gloves to handle the fiber optic cables.

5.Use fresh spectroscopic grade Methanol or Isopropyl Alcohol as the only cleaning solvent.

6. In the daily connection work, a connector housing should be used when plugging or unplugging a fiber. A protective cap should be used to cover the unplugged fiber connectors.

7. In the process of the fiber optic cleaning, the end face of the connector should never be touched and also the clean area of a tissue of swab should not be touched or reused.

Cleaning Procedure

At the beginning of cleaning job, a fiber microscope should be used to inspect the fiber end, if it is contaminated as either images shows below, it should be cleaned with the dry cleaning method.

1.Blow the fiber surface with a stream of Clean Dry Air (the so called CDA), which will dislodge larger, loose particles. Keep in mind, don’t tip the can of the CDA while blowing. Because the liquid may be released contaminant on the surface of the fiber.

2.Place 1-3 drops of spectroscopic grade methanol or isopropyl alcohol in the center of a lens tissue. Do not use Acetone as a cleaning solvent on the fiber optical surfaces. Besides, to ensure the purity of the methanol or alcohol, you should never insert the lens tissue or swabs into the liguid.

3.Hold the fiber by the connector. Place the wet portion of the lens tissue on the optical surface and slowly drag it across. At this step, don’t use lens paper to dry it because the dry lens paper is extremely abrasive.

4.Examine the surface of the fiber under high density light using a magnifier, an optical loop, or a video inspection tool. If streaks or contaminants still remain, repeat the process using a fresh lens tissue.

5.Immediately install a protective cover over the end of the cable to avoid re-contamination or insert the fiber for immediate use.