Fiber transceiver and the what is sfp fiber module

Things you you should know about optical transceiver

The word “optical fiber transceiver” is a unified name for a small photoelectric conversion device in the field of optical communication. SFP optical module is the most common type of optical fiber transceiver. This article will introduce what is an optical module, the evolution history of optical module, and what is SFP optical module.

What is transceiver module used for？

Optical fiber transceivers are a crucial part of optical communication networks, and they are carriers of signals. You can also understand them as porters of optical signals. On the optical fiber, the signal is transmitted in the form of light. When it reaches the receivers of the modules at both ends, the photoelectric conversion chip of the optical module can convert the received optical signal into an electrical signal. Then the data is read and forwarded by the device, such as a switch. and router. 

The components of an optical module are not complicated, and are mainly composed of five parts: the TOSA laser at the optical signal transmitting end and the ROSA detector at the optical signal receiving end, the driving circuit board is responsible for photoelectric conversion, and the optical interface is responsible for connecting the optical cable. The optical interface is divided into LC interface, SC interface, MTP interface according to the interface type, the interface has simplex and duplex. According to the emission wavelength of the module and the type of laser, the interface is also divided into single-mode SFM interface and multi-mode MMF interface. The multimode interface is used to connect multimode fibers, such as OM2\OM3\OM4. Single mode interface is used to connect OS2 fiber. Modules are generally used with switches, routers, network cards and other equipment. Common application scenarios include enterprise networks, campus networks, FTTH, and data center interiors. In short, optical modules can be seen everywhere in life.

The development of fiber transceiver

The optical module is initially large in size and low in data rate. The first model to be born is a 1x9pin module with a rate of 155Mbps to 2.5Gbps. Transmission distance from 300m to 80km. The form factor of 1x9pin is shown in the figure below, which is relatively simple and has no other functions except data transmission.

In 2000, the GBIC module was born. This module is far more functional than the 1x9pin module and supports DOM data monitoring. GBIC modules are available in various models with transmission distances from 550m to 80km. To reduce the volume, deploy more optical modules on the switch to increase the transmission capacity and reduce the cost. The industry hopes to obtain a new type of optical module, which needs to have a smaller size, higher speed and lower power consumption. In 2001, the SFP module (Small form factor pluggable) was released. Compared with the GBIC module, the SFP module is doubled in size and the power consumption is also reduced, but it has the same performance. In 2001, there were five common module form factors, including X2\XENPAK\CFP\CFP2. Compared to these modules, SFPs are the smallest in size. The first two are used for 10G modules, and the latter two are used for 40G modules.

After 5 years, the SFP+ module was developed. This module looks the same as the SFP form factor, but it can reach transmission rates of 10Gbps and 25Gbps, and can support a variety of transmission protocols, including Fiber channel, sdh. By 2013, the QSFP form factor was born. Compared with the previous CFP module, the volume of this form factor is 50% smaller, and the power consumption is reduced, and the performance is even better. This form factor was subsequently developed into a QSFP28 form factor, which supports transmission up to 100Gbps, and is also the most common high-performance module in data centers in 2022.

The development of optical modules can be completely synchronized with the explosive development of the human network information age. The speed of optical modules is getting higher, and the demand for network speed in life is also rising. It only took 20 years to develop from a 2.5Gbps 1X9 PIN module to today's 400G/800G QSFP-DD module. We believe that the rate of optical modules in the future may reach the TB level and bring qualitative changes to our daily life.

What is SFP module and sfp+ module?

what is sfp transceiver? 

SFP (small form pluggable) optical module is also called mini-GBIC. The SFP module can be used with network switches or servers, and its hot-swappable feature can be quickly inserted into the SFP interface for deployment. SFP modules replace GBIC modules in most applications due to their small size, allowing them to be used in tight network spaces. A 1U switch device can be equipped with up to 48 SFP ports. That is a huge amount.

What is sfp+ transceiver and types of SFP

The full name of SFP+ is enhanced small form-factor pluggable, and its rate can support up to 16Gbps. The form factor of SFP+ is identical to SFP, which eliminates the need for switch vendors to redesign interfaces to support SFP+ modules. SFP+ modules are currently the most common module products for access layer switches, and their cost and transmission rate can meet most scenarios.

There are many types of SFP+. Conventional SFP+ modules include SFP-10G-SR/SFP-10G-LR/SFP-10G-ER/SFP-10G-ZR. These modules are equipped with duplex LC interfaces with wavelengths of 850nm, 1310nm, and 1550nm. The common ones are CWDM SFP+ and DWDM SFP+. The wavelength interval of these modules is extremely small. The common wavelength interval of DWDM modules is 0.8nm, which makes it possible to transmit 40 channels of wavelengths in the range of 1528~1561nm. That is to say, on a pair of optical fibers, 40 DWDM SFP+ modules can be transmitted simultaneously to obtain a transmission capacity of 400G. This is amazing.

In addition to these modules, there are BIDI SFP modules. This type of module interface is the simplex LC interface, which supports single-fiber bidirectional transmission, saveing half of the fiber resources in situations where capacity is not required. All of these modules can be provided by Ecloudlight, and you are welcome to purchase them on the corresponding page.

Benefits of sfp+ fiber module

There are some of the advantages of SFP modules:

• SFP+ module is compatible with various protocol standards, such as 1G/10G Ethernet,1G/10G SONET SDH, and 8G/16G Fiber Channel.

• SFP modules have different models with diversified transmission distances and wavelengths, covering most application scenarios.

•  DOM function can read the working parameters of the module, including receiving and transmitting optical signal power, working current, working voltage, working temperature, etc.

• SFP modules are very small and suitable for high-density applications. Besaides, it’s easy to install.

• The power consumption of SFP modules is extremely low. For data centers, lower power consumption means lower power consumption and lower heat, which can save costs.

Conclusion

Ecloudlight is a corporation engaged in the production and sales of optical modules. Its founder has been working in the field of optical modules for twelve years. We focus on the quality and compatibility of optical modules, and try our best to provide customers with the best service, if you have any needs, please consult sales@ecloudlight.com.