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The magic of multimode fiber: Why is it so popular for short-distance communications?
With the advancement of technology and the increase in information demand, fiber optic technology in the communications industry has received more and more attention. Among them, multimode fiber (MMF) has become the preferred solution for many application scenarios due to its superior performance in short-distance communications. Not only can it efficiently transmit large amounts of data, but its equipment cost is also relatively low, making it popular in a variety of environments such as enterprises and campuses.
Multimode fiber has a relatively large core diameter, which enables it to transmit multiple light modes simultaneously. This property makes it excellent for short-distance data transmission, especially for communications within buildings or campuses. .
Application Scope
Applications for multimode fiber range from enterprise backplane applications to high-bandwidth data centers. Depending on the requirements, the typical transmission speed using multimode fiber is relatively high, for example, 100 Mbit/s can be transmitted up to 2 km, while 1 Gbit/s can be transmitted up to 1000 meters and 10 Gbit/s at 550 meters. Inside. This makes multimode fiber particularly advantageous in environments where high capacity and high reliability are required.
More and more users are beginning to bring the benefits of fiber to their workplaces, such as extending fiber to desktops or areas. This architecture concentrates electronic equipment in the telecommunications room, thereby better utilizing the distance capabilities of fiber. .
Comparison with single-mode fiber
The biggest difference between multimode fiber and single-mode fiber is its core diameter. The core of multimode fiber is typically 50 to 100 microns, which is much larger than the wavelength of the light it carries. Due to its larger core structure and numerical aperture possibilities, multimode fiber has a higher light-collecting capability than single-mode fiber. Since multimode fiber can support multiple propagation modes, it is also affected by modal dispersion, while single-mode fiber is relatively unaffected.
There is obvious modal dispersion between multimode fiber and single-mode fiber, which means that the light pulse of multimode fiber expands faster. This characteristic will limit its information transmission capacity.
Types and Standards
Multimode optical fiber can be described according to its core and cladding diameters. For example, a 62.5/125 micron multimode fiber has a core size of 62.5 microns and a cladding diameter of 125 microns. Multimode optical fiber can be divided into step-index and graded-index. These two different structures have different dispersion characteristics, which affect their effective propagation distance.
The classification system for multimode optical fibers is based on the ISO 11801 standard and is commonly referred to as the OM series, including OM1, OM2, and OM3. These standards define multimode optical fibers based on their modal bandwidth.
Future Trends
With the development of technology, OM5 was standardized by TIA and ISO in 2017, which opened a new chapter in multimode fiber technology. OM5 not only sets the standard for a minimum modal bandwidth of 850 nanometers, it also covers the frequency domain from 850 to 953 nanometers.
ConclusionIn response to the growing demand for transmission, multimode fiber continues to evolve toward higher speeds and more application scenarios, which makes its influence in the communications field continue to grow.
Multimode optical fiber has become the mainstream choice for short-distance communications due to its high capacity, reliability and relatively low cost. From enterprises to higher education institutions, it is driving advances in information transmission with its outstanding performance. However, as the technology develops further, how will we define and exploit the potential of fiber optic communications in the future?
