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Fiber Optics

How to select the proper type

of Optical Fiber?
What type of optical fiber should I use, single-mode (SM) or multimode
(MM)? Which multimode fiber optic cable is the best option?

There are two types of basic fibers:

Single-mode (SM) (two types: OS1 and OS2)

Multimode (MM) (four types: OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4)

There also are several dozens of jackets, such as polyethylene, PVC, LSZH,

10
silicone, among others. Similarly, the jackets can be armored to prevent rodent
attacks; they can have more than one jacket and more than one cladding.
These combinations are practically unlimited!

There is even more to fiber than meets the eye!

Single-mode (SM)
This type of optical fiber is relatively • OS2 “Optical Single-Mode type
simple and is smaller in diameter 2”: This cable is constructed with
than the traditional fibers. SM fiber is fiber G.652c. This type has maximum
made with a core of glass of 9 μm and attenuation of 0.4 dB/km and it must
a cladding of 125 μm. Transmission is have loose fibers inside the tube
possible by only one ray of light. SM in order to reach such low levels of
fiber has an outer yellow jacket (PVC attenuation. OS2 also has a low water
or LSZH) and it can be used for 100 peak and it is useful for Metropolitan
km connections. Some people refer CWDM applications in a wide range of
to single-mode optical fiber (SM) wavelengths.
as OS1 and OS2. This is due to the
attenuation of the SM thread, which As you can notice, OS1 and OS2
depends on the cable construction are single-mode (SM) and both of
and other manufacturing details. them have the same diameter. Thus,
they use the same connectors and
Fundamentally: components, but 2 km of single-mode
(SM) OS2 have lower attenuation
• OS1 “Optical Single-Mode type than 1 Km of single-mode (SM) OS1.
1”: Este cable es hecho con la fibra In case you need to deploy 100 km of
G.652. La atenuación máxima a 1300 fiber, OS2 will make your life easier!
o 1500 nm es 1 dB/km.
Multimode (MM)
Multimode optical fiber (MM) transmits several rays ● OM2 (very popular nowadays): It is a good
of light (modes) simultaneously. There are four combination of performance and price. OM2 has a
basic types: Cores of 62.5 μm (OM1) or 50 μm core diameter of 50 μm and it was introduced in the
(OM2, OM3, and OM4). Nowadays it is not enough 80s with 1 gb technology which was being tested
to buy MM optical fiber. A LanPro client should not at that time, but it is irrelevant now due to the
request generic multimode fiber; he needs to be development of laser optimized multimode fibers.
more specific and ask for OM1, OM2, OM3, or OM4 OM2 is not recommended for long distances.
since all these types are MM.
● OM3 It is also one of the most popular fibers
There are four (4) basic types of multimode nowadays. It has a glass diameter of 50 μm and it
optical fiber (MM): is laser optimized. OM3 has been designed to work
on the range of 40 G to 100 m and it is identified
● OM1 (optical mode 1): Original multimode by its aquamarine color.
fiber (MM) and rarely used nowadays. It has the
largest diametrical ● OM4 It is
core: 62.5 μm. It “The New Kid on
works for 100 m the Block” and
Multimode Single mode
and 1 G, however, very expensive.
it is limited for 62.5/125 microns 50/125 microns 9/125 microns Although it is
the current high available since
demands of speed. many years, OM4
OM1 is typically has just been
orange; we do not 125 micron
standardized.
recommend it for It is also laser
new installations optimized and
since it is not has a glass core
beneficial as 50 850 nm wavelength 1310 - 1625 nm of 50 μm. This
μm fibers. In & 1300 nm of operation technology is
addition, it is more the favorite for
expensive than the emerging
OM2! standards that will work in 40 G and in 10 G if
distances are less than 150 m. OM4 is broadly
used in data centers. It is suggested as a
benchmark for the future.

62.5/125 OM1 50/125 OM2 50/125 OM3 50/125 OM4 9/125 OS1

f/λ 200 MHz 500 MHz 850 nm 1500 MHz 850 nm 3500 MHz 850 nm 1310 nm

100 M 2 km 2 km 2 km 2 km 100 km

1G 275 m 550 m 800 m 1100 m 100 km

10 G 33 m 82 m 300 m 550 m 40 km

40 G/100 G N/A N/A 100 m 150 m 40 km

 Practical examples from the previous chart:

Let´s say our client needs a connection between 10 km and…

He will obviously choose the single-mode optical fiber (SM) OS1, ideal for
this scenario.

Another example:
Your client needs a connection between two buildings with a distance of
100 m (328 ft). In this case OM3 will be the option, since 10 gb is just
around the corner and OM2 does not cover more than 80 m. Likewise,
OM3 will be able to manage 40 G at such distance.

One more try: Your client requires a 500 m connection (1640 ft). What
would you select? OM4 for sure! This will let you reach 10 G, which is a
tendency in the next ten years.

Fiber is not like its cousin, the copper wire. Fiber has more variables and
details to be considered when selected. You can choose more than one
type of fiber for the same scenario, thus the integrator should work at
the desire speed, distance, attenuation, installation lifetime, and price of
the active components as parameters to be considered when you select a
type of fiber for a system. Consider the following aspects before selecting
the fiber:

Distance Unquestionably, single-mode reaches 100 G at 40 km

Speed Single-mode can provide 40 G as OM4
Safety No difference. Fiber optic cable is highly safe
Cable price Small difference, although single-mode is cheaper

Single-mode has a core of smaller diameter and the ending is slower to do,
Ending
which is time consuming

Prices can be four times higher than multimode optical fiber

Active devices
(this is the biggest downside of single-mode)

To summarize, multimode (MM), types OM2, OM3, and We also have expertise in manufacturing custom-made
OM4, is usually used for LANs and connections inside cables and OEM fibers, special jackets, FTTH styles,
and between buildings with distances up to 550 m. hybrids, OEM, mixtures, and many other products.
In spite of the high price of the equipment, single-
mode (SM) is the only alternative for networks based LanPro is a US-based company with several
in MAN long distances. However, it is important to decades of expertise that offers solutions for
note that there will be a tendency to reduce the prices data transmission, either by air (wireless) or
of single-mode equipment (SM), making it more copper wire (LAN), and solutions based on light
feasible for short connections. For instance, some of (fiber optics).
our clients use single-mode (SM) for most of their
projects no matter the distance, either short or long. For further information, do not hesitate to
contact us.
LanPro offers a complete array of fiber products
available for immediate delivery for your applications,
from OM1 to OM4 and SM. In addition, we have a
proper inventory of cables for indoor and outdoor
environments for the most common applications.

@lanpronews LanPro Lan @lanpronews

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