What is a fiber optical transceiver
What is a fiber optical transceiver and the types of it？ An optical transceiver is an important connected component for transmitting and receiving data. It consists of a transmitter and a receiver. Fiber technology is used to convert electrical signals to light signals and vice versa through this component.
Optical transceivers play a crucial role across various industries, particularly in telecommunications, where they facilitate the transmission of large volumes of data over networks. These adaptable components can be either inserted into or integrated within network devices and are available in numerous shapes and sizes. The different types of optical transceivers are categorized based on their form factors.
How does a fibre optic transceiver work?
After learning about what is an optical transceiver, let’s find out how it work. Transceivers work by sending modulated light pulses transmitted by a diode through a fibre optic cable. The most common transceivers require two separate fibre optic cables, one to transmit the data one way and the other for the signal from the opposite direction. They are unable to send and receive a signal through the same fibre optic cable at the same time as this can cause signal interference.
It is possible to get multi-directional transceivers, which allows data to be sent in both directions using the same cable at the same time. Multi-directional transceivers do this by modulating the light transmitted at different wavelengths meaning they can transmit and receive signals that don’t interfere with each other as they pass through the cable.
As previously mentioned, there are two main parts of the optical transceiver, the transmitter and receiver. They operate by converting electric signals to light, which is then sent through the fibre optic cable itself to transmit the data over distances.
The transmitter
Held within the transmitter is a laser diode or LED which emits either infrared or visible light. When the transmitter receives an electrical signal, it modulates the light emitted from the diode into either amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM). This modulated light is then sent through the fibre optic cable at high speed towards the transceiver at the other end of the cable. LEDs are really only useful for short range transmissions, whereas laser diodes are preferable over longer distances.
Most laser-based diodes utilise three main types of lasers. Fabry Perot (FP) lasers are used for high speed, medium range transmissions. Distributed Feedback (DFB) lasers are used for long range, very high speed transmissions and Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting (VCSEL) lasers are used for medium range, high speed transmissions.
The receiver
Held within the transceiver is the receiver. The receiver has a photodiode or photodetector depending on the type of light source the transmitter sends. The receiver converts the optical signal into an electrical current. This current is then amplified and converted back into a digital signal, which is then relayed as required.
What is the Main Parameters of Optical Transceiver
- Data Rate: the number of bits transmitted per second.Data Rate is including 155M、622M、1.25G、2.5G、4.25G、10G、40G.
- Transmission distance: the maximum distance over which optical signals can transmit. Optical signals sent from different types of sources can be transmitted over different distances due to the negative effects of optical fibers, such as dispersion and attenuation. Select optical modules and fibers when connecting optical interfaces based on the maximum signal transmission distance.For Single-mode Fiber, transmission distance is 500m, 2km, 10km. For multi-mode Fiber, transmission distance is 100m.
- Wavelength: central wavelength represents the wave band for optical signal transmission. Currently, there are mainly three central wavelengths for standard fiber transceiver modules: 850 nm, 1310 nm, and 1550 nm, respectively, representing three wavebands.
What are the types of fiber transceiver
There are almost three main types of fiber transceiver It is usually tough to determine which optical transceiver type is most suitable for any given application. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the main differences between fiber transceiver types. We have briefly discussed the most commonly used and installed optical transceiver modules. These are main three of many different optical transceivers that are currently available.
XFP is one of the older types of optical transceivers, and while it is increasingly rare to find new equipment that supports this format, it remains popular in certain applications. XFP transceivers are designed for 10Gbps connections and are compatible with fiber optics, Ethernet. They are particularly effective with fiber due to their ability to support high-density multiplexing. Additionally, XFP transceivers are known for their energy efficiency, requiring minimal power consumption.
Optical transceiver SFP is the most widely used optical transceiver format today. The size of optical transceiver SFP is about half smaller than XFP. All SFP modules can be easily plugged in or removed without disrupting the system. While they are commonly utilized, SFP transceivers do have some limitations. They perform well in high-density port environments and can achieve maximum speeds of up to 5Gbps. However, they are typically used for connections that operate at speeds of up to 1Gbps. SFP transceivers are versatile, supporting various wiring types, including single-mode fiber, multi-mode fiber, Ethernet.
For those who appreciate the SFP format but seek enhanced performance and reliability, SFP+ transceivers are an excellent choice. These are an upgraded version of the original SFP transceivers, offering higher data transfer rates. Optical transceiver SFP+ modules can transmit data at speeds of up to 10Gbps, particularly over Ethernet connections, making them a more robust option for demanding applications.
