Fiber Optic Cable: Singlemode vs. Multimode
It is becoming apparent that almost everything is being replaced with fiber optic cable as an appropriate means of communication signal transmission. Fiber optics simply use light pulses to transmit information down lines of fiber. A transmitter, which is at one end of the system, is the place of origin for information coming onto the fiber optic lines. After the transmitter accepts coded electronic pulse information from copper wire, it translates the information into equivalently coded light pulses.
Using a lens, the light pulses are funneled into the fiber optic medium where they travel down the cable. On multimode fiber, the light is usually 850nm for shorter distances and 1,300nm for longer distances. On singlemode fiber, the light is usually 1,300nm for shorter distances and 1,500 for longer distances.
Fiber optic singlemode cable is a single stand of glass fiber, usually consisting of 2 fibers, with a diameter of 8.3 to 10 microns and has only one mode of transmission. Singlemode, having a relatively smaller diameter than multimode, carries higher bandwidth than multimode, but requires a light source with a narrow spectral width. Although singlemode fiber optic cable costs more than multimode fiber optic cable, it gives you a higher transmission rate and up to 50 times more distance. The small core virtually eliminates any distortions that could result from overlapping pulses, providing the least signal interruption and the highest transmission speeds of any fiber optic type.
Multimode fiber optic cable has a slightly larger diameter, ranging from 50 to 100 microns. The most common size is of multimode fiber optic cable is 62.5 microns. Light waves are dispersed into multiple paths, or modes, as they travel the cables core. Unlike singlemode fiber optic cables, multimode can become distorted at the receiving end, resulting in an unclear and incomplete data transmission during long cable runs.
Riley is the editor of FiberOne Connectivity. FiberOne Connectivity specializes in providing high quality fiber optic products. Our mission is to provide premium fiber optic products at competitive prices with on time delivery. We also offer special custom assemblies upon request.
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