A Collection of Common SFP Optical Transceivers

SFP optical modules are not too strange to everyone., which stands for SMALL FORM PLUGGABLE and is one of the most commonly used packages for Gigabit Ethernet optical transceivers, an industry standard for Gigabit Ethernet.

SFP optical module is a compact input/output (I/O) device, mainly used in Gigabit Ethernet switches, routers and other network equipment, in line with Fibre Channel (Fibre Channel), Gigabit Ethernet, SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) and other communication standards, can be easily implemented on the basis of the existing network structure 1G fiber connection or copper cable connection between network equipment. It can be easily implemented on the basis of existing network structures.

A large collection of common SFP Optical Module

Depending on the type of transmitter and receiver, SFP optical modules can be divided into several types, and their operating wavelengths, transmission distances, and suitable applications vary, etc. This section will introduce the various SFP optical transceivers separately.

1000BASE-T SFP Optical Module

This SFP optical transceiver uses RJ45 interface and is usually used together with Category 5 network cable in copper cabling applications with a transmission distance of up to 100m.

1000Base-SX SFP Optical Module

The 1000Base-SX SFP optical module uses a duplex LC interface and is compliant with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-SX standard. It is typically used in multimode applications with a transmission distance of 550m with conventional 50um multimode fiber, 220m with 62.5um multimode fiber, and up to 1km with laser-optimized 50um multimode fiber.

1000BASE-LX/LH SFP Optical Module

The 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP optical module is compliant with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard and can be used in both singlemode and multimode applications. The 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP optical transceiver can be used with conventional multimode fiber, using a mode conversion jumper.

1000BASE-EX SFP Optical Module

The 1000BASE-EX SFP optical module is typically used for long-haul single-mode transmission applications and can be used with standard single-mode fibre over distances of up to 40km.

1000BASE-ZX SFP Optical Module

The 1000BASE-ZX SFP optical module is also used for long-haul single-mode transmission over distances of up to 70 km. If the 1000BASE-ZX SFP optical module is to be used over distances of much less than 70 km, an optical attenuator must be inserted into the link to prevent excessive optical power from damaging the receiver side of the optical transceiver.

1000BASE BIDI SFP Optical Module

The 1000BASE BIDI SFP optical transceiver uses a simplex LC optical port and is typically used in single mode transmission applications. These optical modules need to be used in pairs, for example a 1490nm/1310nm BIDI SFP optical transceiver must be used in pairs with a 1310nm/1490nm BIDI SFP optical transceiver. The following diagram shows the working principle of a 1000BASE BIDI SFP optical module.

DWDM SFP Optical Module

The DWDM SFP optical module is an essential component in DWDM networks. It is a high performance serial optical data transmission module using DWDM wavelengths with a choice of 40 commonly used wavelength channels.

CWDM SFP Optical Module

The CWDM SFP optical module is an optical transceiver that uses CWDM technology and it operates at CWDM wavelengths with a choice of 18 wavelength channels. Like conventional SFP optical transceiver, CWDM SFP optical modules are hot-swappable input/output (I/O) devices used in the SFP interface of a switch or router.

The price and usage of different SFP optical transceiver vary, and the performance and price of the same SFP optical module from different manufacturers can vary greatly. Consumers should consider the price, usage, compatibility, brand and other aspects when purchasing SFP optical transceiver.