Different Types of Optical Transceivers

There are many different kinds of transceivers available that can be used in telecommunications applications. The different specs and designs are widely used to meet the changing needs of designers. There are some primary kinds of transceivers available for this particular purpose.

SFP

Small form-factor (SFP) transceiver is available for designers to use in various applications. These transceivers come in various transmitter and receiver types. Users can select the right SFP transceiver by reviewing several different categories. Some common categories include:

• 1000BASE-T SFP Copper transceiver module operates on standard Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair copper cabling of link lengths up to 100 m (328 ft).
• 1000BASE-SX SFP operates on legacy 50 μm MMF links up to 550 m and on 62.5 μm Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade MMF up to 220 m.
• 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP operates on standard SMF optic link lengths up to 10km and up to 550 m on any MMF.
• 1000BASE-EX SFP operates on standard SMF optic link lengths up to 40km.
• 1000BASE-ZX SFP operates on standard SMF optic link lengths up to approximately 70km.
• 1000BASE-BX SFP operates on a single strand of standard SMF lengths up to 10km.

The SFP was one of the most popular types of transceivers until the enhanced version SFP+ was introduced.

SFP Plus (SFP+)

The small form-factor pluggable (SFP+) transceiver is an enhanced version of an SFP and is designed to support data rates up to 10 Gbit/s. Additionally, SFP+ supports 8 Gbit/s fiber channel. SFP+ sockets can be found in Ethernet switches and also network interface cards.

They've the capability to connect to various kinds of optical fiber and are highly flexible. That's why they are so desirable to designers.

SFP+ transceivers are specified by a multi-source agreement (MSA) between competing manufacturers. SFP+ was designed to have greater port density.

XFP

XFP transceivers are designed to be hot-swappable and protocol-independent. These devices can operating at wavelengths of 850nm, 1310nm, and 1550nm. These devices are capable of operating at a single wavelength or through the use of "dense wavelength-division multiplexing techniques."

This particular XFP transceiver was specified by a XFP multi-source agreement Group. Designers prefer using XFP packaging because it has a smaller footprint than other devices. It is smaller than XENPAK and can help the space-conscious designer.

XENPAK

XENPAK became the new standard transceiver with increased support across longer distances and for multiple wavelengths. Unlike GBIC transceivers that sent information across either copper or fiber optic channels, XENPAKs included support for both networks, creating a better, more flexible module. And unlike the bigger GBIC transceivers, XENPAKs were capable of conveying data across short and long distances due to their configuration settings located inside the devices. When utilizing a single-mode configuration, networks create a single ray of light to send data across a long distance, while they use a multimode setup to transmit information across short distances. Both single and multimode fiber optics were utilized by networks, creating the XENPAK device ideal.

X2

X2 Transceiver and XPAK that the older XENPAK modules could no longer keep up with, were made when the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard took hold. The smaller, more flexible X2 and XPAK standards allowed for even more support for different Ethernet standards and were capable of transmitting data across longer distances.

CFP

The C form-factor pluggable (CFP) is a MSA to produce a common form-factor for the transmission of high-speed digital signals. The c stands for the Latin letter C used to express the number 100 (centum), since the standard was primarily developed for 100 Gigabit Ethernet systems.

There are a variety of transceiver types available, but the most popular ones include: SR, LR, ER, and ZR. SR is 850nm and link lengths up to 300m, LR is 1310nm and link lengths up to 10km. ER is characterized by 1550nm and link lengths up to 40km. ZR can transmit distances up to 80km.

Select the Right Transceiver for Your Design

Always select the right transceiver for your design. If the design is optimized, everything will fall into place for the end user. Try finding the right transceiver for your design. If you would like to find out more about the different transceivers available, you need to ask an expert and study more information about the highly functional devices online. The reliability of your design will improve, and your end-user will reap the benefits of a system that will stand the test of time and also the rigors of a stressful environment. Ask an expert to clarify your choices if transceivers are recommended for your design.

How to Install or Remove QSFP Transceiver Module

QSFP/QSFP+ Installing Steps

Step 1: Attach an ESD wrist strap to yourself and a properly grounded point on the chassis or the rack.

Step 2: Remove the QSFP+ transceiver module from its protective packaging.

Step 3: Check the label on the QSFP+ transceiver module body to verify that you have the correct model for your network.

Step 4: For optical QSFP+ transceivers, remove the optical bore dust plug and set it aside.

Step 5: For transceivers equipped with a bail-clasp latch: a. Keep the bail-clasp aligned in a vertical position. b. Align the QSFP+ transceiver in front of the module's transceiver socket opening and carefully slide the QSFP+ transceiver into the socket until the transceiver makes contact with the socket electrical connector.

Step 6: For QSFP+ transceivers equipped with a pull-tab: a. Hold the transceiver so that the identifier label is on the top. b. Align the QSFP+ transceiver in front of the module's transceiver socket opening and carefully slide the QSFP+ transceiver into the socket until the transceiver makes contact with the socket electrical connector.

Step 7: Press firmly on the front of the QSFP+ transceiver with your thumb to fully seat the transceiver in the module's transceiver socket. Please Note: If the latch is not fully engaged, you might accidentally disconnect the QSFP+ transceiver module.

Step 8: For optical QSFP+ modules, reinstall the dust plug into the QSFP+ transceivers optical bore until you are ready to attach the network interface cable. Please Note: Do not remove the dust plug until you are ready to attach the network interface cable.

QSFP/QSFP+ Removing Steps

Step 1: For optical QSFP+ transceivers, disconnect the network interface cable from the QSFP+ transceiver connector.

Step 2: For QSFP+ transceivers equipped with a bail-clasp latch. a. Pivot the bail-clasp down to the horizontal position. b. Immediately install the dust plug into the transceivers optical bore. c. Grasp the sides of the QSFP+ transceiver and slide it out of the module socket.

Step 3: For QSFP+ transceivers equipped with a pull tab latch a. Immediately install the dust plug into the transceiver's optical bore. b. Grasp the tab and gently pull to release the transceiver from the socket. c. Slide the transceiver out of the socket.

Step 4: Place the QSFP+ transceiver into an antistatic bag.

Note: In fact, the installing or removing steps of the mentioned transceiver modules are the general case. Different transceiver modules of different brands have their own features. We should ask the vendor to get more informations when you face a problem that we do not mentioned here. In addition, to save more money, we suggest that compatible 3rd transceiver modules may be another good choice but you should ensure that your vendor is reliable.

Fiberstore's fiber optic transceivers are 100% compatible with major brands like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Nortel, Force10, D-link, 3Com. They are backed by a lifetime warranty so that you can buy with confidence. Additionally, customize optical transceivers to fit your specific requirements are available.

Cisco, especially, you can find a full product line of our New Cisco SFP modules, such as GLC-LX-SM-RGD, SFP-GE-T, GLC-SX-MMD, etc. Our SFP+ and QSFP+ moduels are 100% compatible with a good price and enjoy same-day shipping.

Ordering Information

• QSFP-4SFP10G-CU3M, Cisco QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ Passive Copper Direct Attach Breakout Cable features a single QSFP+ connector (SFF-8436) rated for 40-Gb/s on one end and 4 SFP+ connectors (SFF-8431), each rated for 10-Gb/s, on the other.
• SFP-H10GB-CU3M, SFP+ passive copper cable, Data Rate up to 10.5G, 3 meter, AWG30.
• GLC-SX-MM, GLC-SX 1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver, supporting dual data-rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps and 550m transmission distance with MMF.
• GLC-T module, Cisco compatible copper SFP for Category 5 copper wire compliant with the Gigabit Ethernet and 1000BASE-T standards.
• SFP-GE-T compatible module, this Cisco SFP to RJ45 converter offers the same function with Cisco SFP-GE-T and it is fully compatible with Cisco SFP devices.

Article Source: Guide of Installing or Removing Transceiver Modules (Part III)