om 120,Understanding OM1 to OM5: A Comprehensive Guide

om 120,Understanding OM1 to OM5: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding OM1 to OM5: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to multi-mode fiber optics, the OM series is a cornerstone of modern networking. With five distinct specifications, each catering to different bandwidth and distance requirements, understanding the nuances of OM1 to OM5 is crucial for any network engineer or IT professional. Let’s delve into the details of each OM specification, starting with the basics and moving towards the more advanced options.

OM1: The Classic Choice

OM1 is the oldest and most widely used multi-mode fiber specification. It is designed for use with LED (Light Emitting Diode) sources and offers a bandwidth of 200 MHz.km at 850 nm and 500 MHz.km at 1300 nm. The core diameter of OM1 fibers is typically 62.5 or 50 micrometers, and they have a numerical aperture (NA) of 8.3 or 8.0, respectively. This makes OM1 a cost-effective solution for shorter distances, such as within a building or data center.

om 120,Understanding OM1 to OM5: A Comprehensive Guide

OM2: The Standard for LED and VCSEL

OM2 is an improvement over OM1, offering a higher bandwidth of 500 MHz.km at both 850 nm and 1300 nm. Like OM1, it is designed for use with LED and Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) sources. The core diameter of OM2 fibers is also 62.5 or 50 micrometers, but they have a slightly lower NA of 8.0 or 8.3. This makes OM2 suitable for longer distances than OM1, up to 300 meters for 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and 550 meters for 40GbE and 100GbE.

OM3: The Laser Optimized Fiber

OM3 is specifically designed for use with laser sources, such as VCSELs and laser diodes (LDs). It offers a bandwidth of 200 MHz.km at 850 nm and 500 MHz.km at 1300 nm, similar to OM1 and OM2. However, OM3 has a smaller core diameter of 50 micrometers and a lower NA of 8.0, which allows for higher data rates and longer distances. OM3 is suitable for 10GbE, 40GbE, and 100GbE applications over distances up to 300 meters.

OM4: The Long-Distance Fiber

OM4 is an upgrade to OM3, offering a higher bandwidth of 470 MHz.km at 850 nm and 500 MHz.km at 1300 nm. This allows for longer distances, up to 550 meters for 10GbE and 40GbE, and 2 kilometers for 100GbE. Like OM3, OM4 is designed for use with laser sources and has a 50-micrometer core diameter and an 8.0 NA. OM4 is the ideal choice for data centers and other high-performance networking applications.

OM5: The Future of Multi-Mode Fiber

OM5 is the latest addition to the OM series, designed for use with 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) over single-mode fiber links. It offers a bandwidth of 470 MHz.km at 850 nm and 500 MHz.km at 1300 nm, similar to OM4. However, OM5 has a larger core diameter of 50 micrometers and a higher NA of 8.0, which allows for better performance in high-density environments. OM5 is suitable for data centers and other high-performance networking applications that require long distances and high data rates.

Table: Comparison of OM1 to OM5 Specifications

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Specification Core Diameter NA Bandwidth at 850 nm Bandwidth at 1300 nm Maximum Distance for 10GbE Maximum Distance for 40GbE
OM1 62.5/50 渭m 8.3/8.0 200 MHz.km 500 MHz.km 300 meters 550 meters