Fiber optic cables are the backbone of modern communication networks. They are used to transmit large amounts of data over long distances at high speeds. The wavelength of light used in fiber optic cables is a critical factor in determining their performance. Short wavelength fiber, also known as multimode fiber, is used in applications that require high bandwidth over shorter distances. In this article, we will discuss the classification of short wavelength fiber and its applications.
Classification of Short Wavelength Fiber
Short wavelength fiber is classified into several categories based on its performance and application requirements. The following are the most common types of short wavelength fiber:
OM1 (62.5/125 µm)
OM1 fiber is the oldest and most widely used short wavelength fiber. It has a core size of 62.5 µm and a cladding diameter of 125 µm. OM1 fiber has a maximum bandwidth of 160 MHz-km at 850 nm and a maximum distance of 275 meters at 1 Gbps.
OM1 fiber is used in applications that require high bandwidth over short distances, such as LANs and data centers. However, due to its limited bandwidth and distance capabilities, OM1 fiber is being phased out in favor of newer fibers.
OM2 (50/125 µm)
OM2 fiber is an improved version of OM1 fiber. It has a core size of 50 µm and a cladding diameter of 125 µm. OM2 fiber has a maximum bandwidth of 500 MHz-km at 850 nm and a maximum distance of 550 meters at 1 Gbps.
OM2 fiber is used in applications that require higher bandwidth and longer distances than OM1 fiber, such as campus backbones and building-to-building links.
OM3 (50/125 µm)
OM3 fiber is a high-bandwidth version of OM2 fiber. It has a core size of 50 µm and a cladding diameter of 125 µm. OM3 fiber has a maximum bandwidth of 2000 MHz-km at 850 nm and a maximum distance of 1000 meters at 10 Gbps.
OM3 fiber is used in applications that require high bandwidth and longer distances than OM2 fiber, such as data centers and SANs.
OM4 (50/125 µm)
OM4 fiber is an improved version of OM3 fiber. It has a core size of 50 µm and a cladding diameter of 125 µm. OM4 fiber has a maximum bandwidth of 4700 MHz-km at 850 nm and a maximum distance of 1500 meters at 10 Gbps.
OM4 fiber is used in applications that require the highest bandwidth and longest distances of any short wavelength fiber, such as high-performance computing and enterprise networks.
Applications of Short Wavelength Fiber
Short wavelength fiber is used in a wide range of applications that require high bandwidth over short distances. The following are the most common applications of short wavelength fiber:
LANs
Short wavelength fiber is used in LANs to connect computers, servers, and other network devices. It provides high bandwidth and low latency, making it ideal for applications that require fast data transfer, such as video streaming and online gaming.
Data Centers
Short wavelength fiber is used in data centers to connect servers, storage devices, and networking equipment. It provides high bandwidth and low latency, making it ideal for applications that require fast data transfer, such as cloud computing and big data analytics.
SANs
Short wavelength fiber is used in SANs to connect storage devices to servers and other network devices. It provides high bandwidth and low latency, making it ideal for applications that require fast data transfer, such as database management and file sharing.
