The optical module is a relatively sensitive optical device. When the operating temperature of the optical module is too high, it will cause problems such as excessive transmitted optical power, received signal errors, packet loss, etc., and even burn out the optical module directly. Generally speaking, the optical module will undergo strict high and low temperature test before leaving the factory to ensure the quality of the optical module is qualified. Under the condition that the quality is guaranteed, the temperature of the optical module increases when it is used. What is the reason for this?
Data Center Optical Module
Is the optical module selected correctly?
According to the operating temperature, optical modules can be divided into commercial grade and industrial grade, among which commercial grade optical modules are the most widely used. But in fact, different application environments need to select optical modules with corresponding temperature levels, otherwise it is easy to cause abnormal temperature of optical modules, thus affecting normal use. So how to make the right choice among common commercial-grade and industrial-grade optical modules?
Commercial-grade optical modules are suitable for indoor data center computer rooms
Because the operating temperature range of the optical module required for the internal interconnection of the data center is relatively small (the national policy stipulates that the indoor temperature of the computer room should be controlled at 22±2 °C); and the reliability of the optical module is not high, therefore, the indoor data center computer room chooses commercial grade optical module.
Industrial Optical Modules for Industrial Ethernet and 5G Fronthaul
Industrial Ethernet has a wide operating temperature range and requires high safety and reliability. In order to ensure the normal operation of optical modules, it is best to choose industrial-grade optical modules. At the same time, in the 5G bearer optical module white paper, it is mentioned that the 5G fronthaul AAU side optical module involves outdoor applications, the outdoor temperature is changeable, and the working environment is relatively harsh, so industrial-grade optical modules with better performance are needed.
In addition, the selected optical module is not compatible with the equipment is also one of the reasons. Before purchasing an optical module, do not fully understand the optical module information supported by the equipment (such as switches, optical transceivers, etc.), such as speed, model, etc.; or use Huawei switches but purchase other brands of optical modules (such as Cisco, Brocade, etc.).
Are the heat dissipation conditions in the environment where the optical module is located?
The temperature rise of the optical module In addition to the reasons for the selection of the optical module mentioned above, the unqualified heat dissipation conditions of the environment where the optical module is located will also affect it. like,
The equipment room is not equipped with cooling devices such as air conditioners, temperature and humidity controllers, etc.
The use of air conditioners and temperature and humidity controllers can effectively control the temperature of the equipment working environment in the equipment room, so as to ensure that the actual application environment temperature of the optical module is controlled within the range value.
Poor heat dissipation of the device inserted into the optical module
For example, the matching switch does not have an air baffle, or the front panel of the switch does not adopt an open design, etc., which will affect the heat dissipation of the switch itself. If the heat dissipation performance of the switch is poor, the device temperature will be too high when working for a long time, which will affect the light. temperature of the module.
In addition to the above two reasons, the temperature rise of the optical module will also be affected by some improper daily operations. For example, the end face of the optical module is polluted and not cleaned and used directly or the optical module is used without electrostatic protection work. The optical module is faulty, causing the temperature of the optical module to rise.
