Classification of Transceiver Modules

Transceiver modules can be classified into different categories based on several different criteria. Package, transmission distance, wavelength, work rate, fiber mode, and connector type are all the common characteristics used for defining fiber optic transceivers. The following is a brief introduction to some of the characteristics used in classifying transceiver modules.

Package of Fiber Optic Transceiver
According to the optical module package, fiber optic transceivers can be divided into SFP, SFP+, XFP, GBIC, X2, XENPAK, QSFP+, PON, CSFP, CFP, 1X9 and SFF. Each package has its unique feature. Nowadays, SFP, SFP+, XFP and QSFP+ are the popular packages and they have been widely used in many fields, such as video communication field, aerospace, fiber to the home and so on. The image below shows a compatible HP SFP transceiver module.

Data Transfer Distance
In relation to data transfer distance, one major difference is multi-mode versus single-mode transceivers. For instance, a multi-mode transceiver will typically cover a distance of 100 m to 500 m. A single-mode transceiver can transmit a distance from 2 km to 120 km. This is an important aspect that people should consider when selecting a transceiver for an application. If the transmission distance is not adequate, the application will not work properly. Data transmission distance may be affected by whether the transceivers are single fiber or dual fiber.

Wavelength
Wavelength is the distance between repeating units of a propagating wave of a given frequency. Fiber optics transceivers transmit signal typically around 850, 1300 and 1550 nm. Multi-mode fiber is designed to operate at 850 and 1300 nm, while single-mode fiber is optimized for 1310 and 1550 nm.

Recent telecom systems use wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), either DWDM (dense WDM) or CWDM (coarse WDM). For the fiber optic transceiver modules, the common wavelength (see in below image) includes 850 nm, 1279 nm, 1310 nm, 1330 nm, 1490 nm, 1510 nm, 1550 nm and 1610 nm. In the CWDM system, the wavelength range is from 1270 nm to 1610 nm, 20nm as a wave band. In the DWDM system, the wavelength range is also from 1270 nm to 1610 nm, but 0.8nm as a wave band.

Work Rate
The above type of classification brings two distinct types—full duplex mode and half duplex mode. The full duplex mode occurs when the data transmission is transmitted by two different transmission lines. There is communication at both ends of the device and is used for both sending and receiving operations. In this type of transceiver configuration, there is typically, no time delay generated by the operation.

The half-duplex mode is used with a single transmission line that is used for both reception and transmission. The communication cannot occur simultaneously in the same direction. That’s why it’s called the half-duplex system.

Managed Versus Unmanaged Transceivers
Unmanaged Ethernet optical transceivers are typically plug and play. They may have electrical interfaces with hardware DIP switch settings mode. With managed Ethernet fiber optic transceivers, they support a carrier-grade network management.

Conclusion
When you design for fiber optic transceiver, these classification criteria will come in handy. Fiberstore, as an professional telecommunication manufacturer, provides a large amount of fiber optic transceiver modules like SFP+ transceiver, X2 transceiver, XENPAK transceiver, XFP transceiver, SFP transceiver, GBIC transceiver, CWDM/DWDM transceiver, etc. J4858C, DS-SFP-FC8G-SW, DEM-310GT and Finisar FTLX1471D3BCL are all available at Fiberstore. They are fully compatible with major brand. If you have any question, please contact us directly.

Basic Information About SFP Transceiver Modules

SFP (small form-factor pluggable) transceivers, as one of the most useful technological advancements on the market are warmly welcomed by subscribers. These transceivers are some of the most reliable devices in the market because the designs are derived from a multi-source agreement (MSA) and are a pluggable form of SFF. They are hot-swappable, which is highly beneficial to designers in the industry. Besides these helpful information, here are some things you need to know about SFP transceiver modules.

Types of SFP Transceivers
SFP transceivers are available with a large amount of transmitter and receiver types. Customers can select the appropriate transceiver to provide the required optical reach over multi-mode fiber (MMF) or single-mode fiber (SMF).

Optical SFP module is commonly offered in several different categories: SX, LX, ZX, 1000BASE-T, and DWDM, etc. Each category supports a different distance that will transmit data both upstream and downstream. For instance, the SX model will transmit for 10 km, ZX will transmit up to 80 km and DWDM transceiver will achieve various distance at various wavelengths. Take Cisco SFP as an example.

• For copper twisted pair cabling

Cisco 1000BASE-T SFP module (Cisco GLC-T) operates on category 5 unshielded twisted-pair copper cabling of link lengths up to 100 m.

• For multi-mode fiber

GLC-SX-MMD operates on 1000BASE-SX standard links up to 550 m

• For single-mode fiber

GLC-LH-SMD 1310 nm, for distances up to 10 km
GLC-EX-SMD 1310 nm, for distances up to 40 km
GLC-ZX-SMD 1550 nm, for distances up to 80 km

Where Transceivers Are Used?
Most SFP transceivers can be found in popular networking systems such as Wide Area Networks (WANs), Metro Access Network, and Metro Core Network. SFP transceivers support fiber networking standards such as Fibre Channel, SONET, and Gigabit Ethernet. They also support a variety of other communications standards as well. A compact and hot-swappable optical transceiver can be used in all types of optical communications and telecommunications applications. These devices will connect a switch, router, or other network device.

Advantages of an SFP Transceiver
SFP transceiver is hot-swappable, which make it easy to change and easy for maintenance compared with traditional modules. SFP transceiver modules make the fiber optic network or fiber-Ethernet network easier to upgrade or maintain users can replace a single SFP module during the process instead of replacing the whole board with many modules on it.

Digital optical monitoring (DOM) is based on the new and modern optical transceiver design. Consumers have the ability to monitor real-time parameters of the SFP module. Optical inputs and output power, laser bias, and supply voltage will allow designers to monitor real-time.

In addition, A SFP transceiver is capable of transferring data rates up to 4.25 Gpbs. The XFP form factor is similar to the SFP type. But compared to XFP (10 Gigabit Small Form Factor Pluggable) transceiver, the functionality of SFP module increases about three times at 10 Gpbs. SFP transceivers have a higher optical reliability and will permit higher soldering temperatures. SFP transceivers are recommended by fiber optic component providers to ensure proper data transmission.

Conclusion
SFP modules are some of the best in the industry and will ensure that your design operates at full capacity with low failure rates. This article mainly analyzes three expects of SFP transceiver modules, namely the category of SFP module, application and advantage. Fiberstore offers an exceptional amount of SFP modules that are fully compatible with major brand (Cisco, HP, Finisar, Juniper, etc.). Not only GLC-SX-MMD, GLC-ZX-SMD, DS-SFP-FC8G-SW and EX-SFP-1GE-SX, but also GLC-T SFP are all available in Fiberstore. I cannot list all the compatible SFP transceivers here. If you are interested, you can contact us directly.