Choosing the Right Multimode Fiber for Data Communications

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Choosing(the(Right(Multimode(Fiber(for(Data(Communications(

September 2008

Executive Summary

Multimode fiber systems offer flexible, reliable and cost effective cabling solutions for

local area networks (LANs), Storage Area Networks (SANs), central offices and data

centers. Multimode fibers support data rates from 10 and 100 Megabits per second (Mb/s)

up to today’s 1 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) and 10 Gb/s applications, with standards in

development to support data rates up to 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s.

Three types of multimode fiber are currently found in premises networks: 62.5

µm multimode fiber (OM1), 50 µm multimode fiber (OM2), and laser optimized 50 µm

multimode fiber (OM3). 50 µm and 62.5 µm refer to the diameter of the fiber core, which

is the area that carries light signals. For the most part, OM1 fiber is found in legacy

systems. Over the past five years, network designers have migrated to 50 µm fiber,

especially laser optimized multimode fibers (OM3), as they can support higher data rates

and longer distances. Considering the higher bandwidth advantage, and the applications

that most customers will use today or in the future, the Fiber Optics LAN Section

recommends that for new installations, customers install OM3 fiber.

Summary of content (5 pages)

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Choosing the Right Multimode Fiber for Data Communications September 2008 Executive Summary Multimode fiber systems offer flexible, reliable and cost effective cabling solutions for local area networks (LANs), Storage Area Networks (SANs), central offices and data centers. Multimode fibers support data rates from 10 and 100 Megabits per second (Mb/s) up to today’s 1 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) and 10 Gb/s applications, with standards in development to support data rates up to 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s.
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The Evolution of Multimode Fiber Designs While 50 µm multimode fiber might seem new, in the 1970s, when optical fiber was introduced, standard 50 µm fiber (OM2) was the most popular of the early fiber types available, and was used for both long haul and short reach applications.
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workhorse for backbone fiber installations for many years, and is still present in legacy systems. Faster Transmission Rates, Higher Bandwidth Demands Drive Migration to 50 µm While 62.5 µm fiber dominated the premises market for more than a decade, changing market conditions have re-established 50 µm fiber as the best solution for applications >10 Mb/s. The 100 Mb/s Fast Ethernet standard, published in 1995, called for the use of LEDs that take advantage of lower fiber attenuation at 1300 nm wavelength.
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New Generation 50 µm Fiber Extends Link Lengths, Supports Higher Data Rates Laser Optimized Multimode Fiber was introduced in 1999. It supports 300-meter link lengths for 10 Gb/s applications and is tested to ensure a 2,000 MHz•km Effective Modal Bandwidth (EMB). Its industry-standard 50 µm core size couples sufficient power from LED sources to support legacy applications like Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and Fast Ethernet for virtually all in-building networks and most campus networks.
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applications that most customers will use today or in the future, while preserving the low system cost advantages of multimode fiber. In addition, OM3 fiber shares the same connector technologies and installation techniques as 62.5 µm fiber, which means installers can leverage their existing fiber installation experience without additional training.