What are the types of fiber optic transceivers

What are the types of fiber optic transceivers? Fiber optic transceivers, also known as photoelectric converters, are Ethernet transmission media conversion units that exchange short-distance twisted-pair electrical signals with long-distance optical signals.

Different viewing angles make people have different understandings of fiber optic transceivers:

For example, according to the transmission rate, it is divided into single 10M, 100M fiber optic transceivers, 10/100M adaptive fiber optic transceivers and 1000M fiber optic transceivers;

According to the working mode, it is divided into optical fiber transceivers working at the physical layer and optical fiber transceivers working at the data link layer;

From a structural point of view, it can be divided into desktop (stand-alone) fiber optic transceivers and rack-mount fiber optic transceivers;

According to the different access fibers, there are two types of multi-mode fiber optic transceivers and single-mode fiber optic transceivers.

In addition, there are single-fiber fiber optic transceivers and dual-fiber fiber optic transceivers, built-in power fiber optic transceivers and external power fiber optic transceivers, network managed fiber optic transceivers and unmanaged fiber optic transceivers.

Fiber optic transceivers break through the 100-meter limitation of Ethernet cables in data transmission. Relying on high-performance switching chips and large-capacity buffers, while truly realizing non-blocking transmission and switching performance, they also provide balanced traffic, isolation conflicts and Error detection and other functions to ensure high security and stability during data transmission.

Application range

In essence, the optical fiber transceiver only completes the data conversion between different media, and can realize the connection between two switches or computers within 0-120Km, but the actual application has more expansion.

1. Realize the interconnection between switches.

2. Realize the interconnection between the switch and the computer.

3. Realize the interconnection between computers.

4. Transmission relay: When the actual transmission distance exceeds the nominal transmission distance of the transceiver, especially when the actual transmission distance exceeds 120Km, if the site conditions permit, use 2 transceivers for back-to-back relay or use optical- It is a very cost-effective solution to use optical converters for relaying.

5. Single-multimode conversion: When there is a need for single-multimode fiber connection between networks, a single-multimode converter can be used for connection, which solves the problem of single-multimode fiber conversion.

6. Wavelength division multiplexing transmission: When long-distance optical cable resources are insufficient, in order to improve the utilization rate of the optical cable and reduce the cost, the transceiver and the wavelength division multiplexer can be used together to allow the two channels of information to be transmitted on the same pair of optical fibers.

3. Precautions for use

We know that there are many different classifications of fiber optic transceivers, but in actual use, most of the attention is paid to the categories that are distinguished by different fiber optic connectors: SC connector fiber optic transceivers and ST connector fiber optic transceivers.

When using fiber optic transceivers to connect different devices, you must pay attention to the different ports used.

1. Connection of fiber optic transceivers to 100BASE-TX devices (switches, hubs):

Confirm that the length of the twisted pair does not exceed 100 meters;

Connect one end of the twisted pair to the RJ-45 port (Uplink port) of the fiber optic transceiver, and the other end to the RJ-45 port (common port) of the 100BASE-TX device (switch).

2. Connection of fiber optic transceiver to 100BASE-TX equipment (network card):

Confirm that the length of the twisted pair does not exceed 100 meters;

Connect one end of the twisted pair to the RJ-45 port (100BASE-TX port) of the fiber optic transceiver, and the other end to the RJ-45 port of the network card.

3. Connection of fiber optic transceiver to 100BASE-FX:

Confirm that the fiber length does not exceed the distance range that the equipment can provide;

One end of the fiber is connected to the SC/ST connector of the fiber optic transceiver, and the other end is connected to the SC/ST connector of the 100BASE-FX device.

In addition, it needs to be added that when using fiber optic transceivers, many users think that as long as the length of the fiber is within the maximum distance supported by single-mode fiber or multi-mode fiber, it can be used normally. In fact, this is a wrong understanding. This understanding is only correct when the connected devices are full-duplex devices. When there are half-duplex devices, the transmission distance of optical fibers is limited to a certain extent.

4. ST, SC, FC, LC interface differences

There are many kinds of fiber optic connectors, that is, the fiber optic connectors connected to optical modules, and they cannot be used with each other. People who are not often exposed to optical fibers may mistakenly think that the optical fiber connectors of GBIC and SFP modules are the same, but they are not. The SFP module is connected to an LC fiber optic connector, while the GBIC is connected to an SC fiber optic connector. The following is a detailed description of several commonly used fiber optic connectors in network engineering:

① FC fiber optic connector: The external strengthening method is a metal sleeve, and the fastening method is a turnbuckle. Generally used on the ODF side (the most used on the distribution frame)

② SC-type optical fiber connector: the connector connected to the GBIC optical module, its shell is rectangular, and the fastening method is plug-in and bolt-type, without rotation. (Most used on router switches)

③ ST type optical fiber connector: often used in optical fiber distribution frames, the outer shell is round, and the fastening method is a turnbuckle. (For 10Base-F connection, the connector is usually ST type. Commonly used in fiber distribution frame)

④ LC-type fiber optic connector: a connector connected to the SFP module, which is made of an easy-to-operate modular jack (RJ) latch mechanism. (commonly used by routers)

⑤ MT-RJ: a square optical fiber connector with integrated transceiver, one end with dual fiber transceiver

Introduction to various fiber optic interface types (fiber optic connectors):

FC round threaded (mostly used on patch panels)

ST snap-in round

SC snap-in square type (mostly used on router switches)

PC microsphere grinding and polishing

APC is angled at 8 degrees and microspherically ground and polished

MT-RJ Square type, dual fiber transceiver at one end