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Optical fiber cable is a cable designed to transmit data through light pulses that travel through thin glass or plastic fibers. The primary advantage of optical fiber cables over copper cables is their high bandwidth capacity and resistance to electromagnetic interference.
Types of Optical Fiber Cables
Single-Mode (SM)
- Working Principle: A single laser light beam travels through the center of the fiber.
- Core Diameter: Typically around 8-10 microns.
- Application: Used for long distances and high-speed data transmission.
- Advantages: Lower attenuation and the ability to transmit data over longer distances.
Multi-Mode (MM)
- Working Principle: Multiple light beams travel through the fiber at different angles.
- Core Diameter: Typically around 50-62.5 microns.
- Application: Used for short to medium distances, often in building infrastructures and local area networks (LANs).
- Advantages: Cheaper transmitters and receivers.
Bandwidth Capacity
The bandwidth capacity of optical fiber cables depends on several factors, including the type of fiber, transmission technologies used, and distance.
| Cable Type | Subtype | Max Distance | Max Data Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| SM | OS1 | Up to 10km | Up to 10 Gbps |
| SM | OS2 | Up to 200km | 10 Gbps / Up to 100 Gbps with WDM |
| MM | OM1 | Up to 300m | Up to 1 Gbps |
| MM | OM2 | Up to 550m | Up to 10 Gbps |
| MM | OM3 | Up to 300m | Up to 10 Gbps |
| MM | OM4 | Up to 400m | Up to 10 Gbps |
| MM | OM5 | Up to 150m | Up to 100 Gbps (using WDM) |
Types of Connectors
- SC (Subscriber Connector)
- Connector Type: Push-pull.
- Application: Widely used in data transmission and telecommunications networks.
- Features: Easy to use and provides reliable connections.
- LC (Lucent Connector)
- Connector Type: Push-pull.
- Application: Commonly used in modern optical networks due to its compact size.
- Features: Compact design, suitable for high-density connections.
- ST (Straight Tip)
- Connector Type: Bayonet.
- Application: Frequently used in campus and corporate networks.
- Features: Easy to install and remove thanks to the bayonet coupling mechanism.
- FC (Ferrule Connector)
- Connector Type: Threaded.
- Application: Widely used in telecommunications and measurement equipment.
- Features: Reliable connections due to threaded coupling.
- MTP/MPO (Multi-Fiber Push On/Pull Off)
- Connector Type: Push-pull.
- Application: Used for connecting multi-mode fibers, often in data centers.
- Features: Can connect up to 12 or even 24 fibers simultaneously, allowing for significantly higher connection density.