When should I choose singlemode fiber optic cable?Updated 22 days ago
Below are the key reasons to choose singlemode fiber optic cable for your fiber application:
1. Long-Distance Transmission
Single-mode fiber excels in long-distance applications because of its low signal attenuation. It operates at wavelengths such as 1310 nm and 1550 nm, allowing it to carry data over several kilometers without significant loss, making it ideal for connecting buildings across campuses or providing long-distance links in telecom and metropolitan networks.
Example: A 10 Gbps SFP+ module can support connections over several kilometers, making it perfect for data center interconnects and campus networks.
2. High-Speed Capabilities
Single-mode fiber supports high data rates, ranging from 1 Gbps (SFP) to 100 Gbps and beyond (QSFP28). This makes it suitable for environments requiring fast and reliable data transmission, such as data centers, 5G networks, and enterprise networks.
Example: For high-speed links in data centers, SFP28 modules can achieve 25 Gbps, while QSFP modules can handle up to 100 Gbps, ensuring future-proof performance.
But what if I want to run my singlemode cable in shorter distance applications? Are there any issues if I run singlemode fiber for short distances, in a data center or small enterprise application?
Using single-mode fiber even for short distances can future-proof your network. As network demands grow, single-mode fiber can support upgrades to higher data rates and longer distances without needing to replace the existing fiber infrastructure. This offers flexibility and cost savings in the long term.
Example: Deploying single-mode fiber in a campus today will allow easy upgrades from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps or even 100 Gbps as data needs increase.
While single-mode transceivers are optimized for long distances, there are low-power versions available for shorter links to prevent signal overload. In cases where excess optical power may be an issue, simple solutions like optical attenuators can reduce power levels and ensure stable performance. Additionally, low power SM SFP transceivers can be used up to a max of 10km which will work well in shorter applications.
Example: A 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps transceiver with built-in low power can efficiently serve short-range single-mode applications, such as within data centers.
Learn more in our Cable Academy blog Single mode vs Multimode Fiber Optic Cable!