Compare Gigabit Multimode and Single mode Fiber media converters by Perle systems

Compare Gigabit Multimode and Single mode Fiber media converters by Perle systems

To understand the comparison we need to know what is mode in Fiber. These modes define the way the wave travels through media. Waves can have the same mode but have different frequencies. This is the case in single-mode fibers, where we can have waves with different frequencies, but of the same mode, which means that they are distributed in space in the same way, and that gives us a single ray of light.

On the other hand,

Multimode fiber optic cable has a large diametric core that allows multiple modes of light to propagate.  Because of this, the number of light reflections created as the light passes through the core increases, creating the ability for more data to pass through at a given time. Because of the high dispersion and attenuation rate with this type of fiber, the quality of the signal is reduced over long distances. Multimode has two types of fiber, Step Index and Graded Index. you can understand more by watching the below figure.

The main difference between multi-mode and single-mode optical fiber is that the former has much larger core diameter, typically 50–100 micrometers; much larger than the wavelength of the light carried in it. Multi-mode fiber has higher "light-gathering" capacity than single-mode fiber. Compared to single-mode fibers, the multi-mode fiber bandwidth-distance product limit is lower. Because multi-mode fiber has a larger core-size than single-mode fiber, it supports more than one propagation mode; hence it is limited by modal dispersion, while single mode is not. Because of their larger core size, multi-mode fibers have higher numerical apertures which mean they are better at collecting light than single-mode fibers. Due to the modal dispersion in the fiber, multi-mode fiber has higher pulse spreading rates than single mode fiber, limiting multi-mode fiber’s information transmission capacity.

So compare to single mode media converter, multimode Converter has low transmission capacity and distance coverage. I think that’s why Perle System choose the Single Mode Fiber Media converter.

Mohibul H