Optical Transceiver Wiki

The optical transceiver, the transmission carrier between the switchboard and the device, consists of optoelectronic devices, functional circuits, and optical interfaces. The optoelectronic devices include transmitting and receiving parts. The optical transceiver aims to achieve photoelectric conversion and is more efficient and safer than the converters. The transmitting end converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. After being transmitted through the optical fiber, the receiving end converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. In this article, we will discuss the transceiver from two perspectives, that is, optical transceiver types and how to choose an optical transceiver.

Optical Transceiver Types

Before discussing how to select an optical transceiver, we need to have a basic understanding of common packaged optical transceiver. In this part, the SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, and QSFP28 packaged optical transceivers will be introduced respectively.
SFP Optical Transceiver
The SFP optical transceiver is a mini version of the GBIC optical transceiver, while the functions of them are roughly the same. The size of the SFP is much smaller than that of the GBIC. It is generally used in SONET/SDH networks, Fast/Gigabit Ethernet and other high-speed transmission applications.
10G SFP+ Optical Transceiver
The 10G SFP+ optical transceiver is an upgraded version of the SFP optical transceiver. Both have the same package. However, the SFP+ optical transceiver can support 10Gbps transmission rate. Compared with other 10G optical transceivers (such as Xenpak and XFP optical transceivers), the SFP+ optical transceiver has the smallest size and is the most suitable one for high-density port applications. Now it has become the most popular 10G optical transceiver.
40G QSFP/QSFP+ Optical Transceiver
The 40G QSFP/QSFP+ optical transceiver complies with the Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand, and SONET/SDH standards. The 40G QSFP optical transceiver adopts four 4Gbit/s transmission channels to transmit data. The 40G QSFP+ optical transceiver uses four 10Gbit/s transmission channels for transmission data.
QSFP28 Optical Transceiver
The QSFP28 optical transceiver is mainly used in 100G Ethernet and EDR InfiniBand applications. It uses four 25Gbit/s transmission channels to transmit data. Sometimes this optical transceiver is also called a QSFP100 or 100G QSFP optical transceiver.

How to Choose an Optical Transceiver

Nowadays, when the users select optical transceivers, they will consider not only the stability and reliability, but also the price and quality as well as the equipment requirements in wavelength, package, speed, distance, etc. In many aspects, with the mix of the sham and genuine in the market, users are harder and harder to choose. When purchasing it, we should consider the following five points：
Transmission Distance
The transmission distance supported by different optical transceivers is different. In general, the transmission distance of multi-mode optical transceivers is much shorter than that of single-mode optical transceivers, and the price is also cheaper. For example, the transmission distance of a 10GBASE-SR SFP+ optical transceiver is 400m at most, while a 10GBASE-LR SFP+ optical transceiver can reach reach up to 10km. Therefore, it is very important to figure out the transmission distance you want to reach. In addition, we must also consider the attenuation and dispersion of the optical signal during transmission. It is recommended that you use a supported optical transceiver with a slightly longer transmission distance than the actual requirement. For short-distance connections between equipment in the rack, it is recommended that you use a high-speed cable product that is less expensive than the optical transceiver.
Transmission Mode
Optical transceivers mainly have three data transmission modes: simplex, half duplex, and full duplex. Simplex transmission supports data transmission in only one direction and half duplex transmission two directions, but proceeding separately . Full duplex transmission allows data in both directions to be transmitted simultaneously. It is best to choose an optical transceiver that supports full-duplex transmission.
Transmission Medium
Copper cables and optical cables are currently the two most widely used transmission media. Therefore, some optical transceivers are designed with electrical ports, and others optical ports. In general, optical port transceivers commonly transmit in 10G and 40G Ethernet, and electrical port transceivers in Fast and Gigabit Ethernet. The transmission distance of optical port transceivers is generally longer than that of electrical optical transceivers.
Heat Resistance
The operating temperature of the optical transceiver should not be too high. If working in the condition with the temperature that exceeds the limits , link failure may occur. Therefore, remember to choose an optical transceiver with good heat resistance.

Conclusion

Optical transceiver isn’t as inscrutable as you might think before. After reading this article, I believe you may understand further the optical transceiver. If you want to buy it, you should find out which type you need and pay attention to the above 5 points. If you are just interested in optical transceivers and something related to it, you can follow our newest information. We will update more useful content for your reference.

评论

发表评论

此博客中的热门博文

What Is ACL (Access Control List) and How to Configure It?

图片
Though the robust network promotes the connectivity among people at every comer of the globe, we may not enjoy its convenience or gain the information we want as easily and casually as it thought to be. Due to the access control list, some paths to a certain server may have been blocked manually. Well, what is access control list? Why does it get in my way to the fantastic world? What Is ACL (Access Control List)? ACL stands for Access Control List. It is a list of a series of rules that are specified to permit or deny traffic flow. More precisely, ACL serves to filter data packet based on a given filtering criteria on a router or  data switch  interface, thereby controlling access to your network or to specific files or folders on your network. How does ACL work? As we all know, when a router receives a packet, it will routinely identify its destination address and find an entry in routing table that can match with it. If succeed, the packet can be forwarded, otherwise, discarded
阅读全文

FS.COM N5850-48S6Q VS. Cisco Nexus 3172PQ 48-Port 10Gbe Switch

图片
What do you care most about a data center switch? The number of ports? The switch class? Or the operating system? Here is a comparison of two 48-port 10gbe switches from FS.COM and Cisco. Let’s see what the vendors value for their own devices? FS N5850-48S6Q 48-port 10Gbe Switch Overview FS N5850-48S6Q network switch is initially positioned as the bare metal switch, but you can choose the one pre-installed with Broadcom ICOS or Cumulus Linux. The combination of Cumulus Linux makes the N5850-48S6Q 10gbe switch stand head and shoulders above its counterparts. Here we revolve around the one with Cumulus Linux. FS N5850-48S6Q network switch comes with 48 SFP+ 10Gb ports and 6 QSFP+ 40Gb ports, and each 40Gb port can operate in native 40-Gbps or 4 x 10-Gbps mode. N5850-48S6Q is a top-of-rack (TOR) or leaf 10Gbe switch in a compact 1U form factor, ideally suited for high performance and programmable data center environments. It performs excellent low latency and power efficiency in a
阅读全文

Which One to Choose? Fiber or Copper Patch Panel?

图片
It seems that you haven’t figured out what a patch panel is. A patch panel is a mounted hardware assembly that contains ports used to connect and manage fiber or copper optic cables going in and out. Patch panels are also known as patch bays, patch fields or jack fields which are usually installed on enclosures or racks to simplify connections. If it breaks down, the entire system may fail. Patch panels can be assorted based on the number of ports they contain. They can be used in fiber and copper cabling systems. Here we have fiber and copper patch panels. Fiber vs. Copper Patch Panel Fiber patch panels require two ports for a pair of wires. One port is responsible for the transmitting end while the other looks after the receiving end. The fact that fiber patch panels tend to be faster than copper does not make sense in the condition where the main function of a patch panel is to direct signal traffic, not to send the signal at a particular speed. When installing the panel, a  fi
阅读全文