-
-
-
-
-
Download
-
Contact
The difference between single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers, and their uses?
Release time:
2025-05-16
This document will discuss the differences between single-mode and multi-mode fiber from six aspects: core diameter, light source, bandwidth, jacket color, modal dispersion, and price.
Previously mentioned Telephone optical transceiver A brief introduction to single-mode and multi-mode, today we will continue to explain in detail.
We will discuss the differences between single-mode and multi-mode from six aspects: core diameter, light source, bandwidth, sheath color, modal dispersion, and price.
1. Core Diameter
Multi-mode fiber: Core diameter is 50~62.5μm, cladding outer diameter 125μm.
Single-mode fiber: Core diameter is 8.3μm, cladding outer diameter 125μm.
The operating wavelengths of optical fibers are short wavelength 0.85μm, long wavelength 1.31μm and 1.55μm.
Optical fiber loss generally decreases with increasing wavelength. The loss at 0.85μm is 2.5dB/km, the loss at 1.31μm is 0.35dB/km, and the loss at 1.55μm is 0.20dB/km. This is the lowest loss of optical fiber, and the loss above 1.65μm wavelength tends to increase.
Due to the absorption effect of OHˉ, there are loss peaks in the ranges of 0.90~1.30μm and 1.34~1.52μm, and these two ranges have not been fully utilized. Since the 1980s, there has been a tendency to use more single-mode fibers, and long wavelengths of 1.31μm were used first.
2. Light Source
Single-mode fiber: Single-mode uses a laser as the light source, so it is more expensive than the LED light source. The light generated by the laser light source can be precisely controlled and has high power.
Multi-mode fiber: Uses an LED as the light source, and the light generated is more dispersed.
3. Bandwidth
Single-mode fiber: Exhibits less modal dispersion than multi-mode fiber due to multiple spatial modes, resulting in higher bandwidth.
Multi-mode fiber: Has a larger core size, supports multiple transmission modes, has greater modal dispersion than single-mode fiber, and lower bandwidth than single-mode fiber.
4. Sheath Color
Single-mode fiber: Uses a yellow outer sheath.
Multi-mode fiber: Uses an orange or aqua outer sheath.
5. Modal Dispersion
Single-mode fiber: The laser used to drive single-mode fiber produces a single-wavelength light, so its modal dispersion is less than that of multi-mode fiber.
Multi-mode fiber: Due to the use of LED light sources, multi-mode fiber dispersion limits its effective transmission distance, has a higher pulse expansion rate, and limits its information transmission capacity.
6. Price
Single-mode fiber: The price is lower than that of dual-mode fiber, but the equipment for single-mode fiber is more expensive than that of multi-mode fiber, and the cost is higher than that of dual-mode fiber.
Multi-mode fiber: The price is higher than that of single-mode fiber, and the equipment for multi-mode fiber is Optical fiber equipment cheaper, so the cost of multi-mode fiber is much lower than that of single-mode fiber.
What are the functions of single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers respectively?
Function of single-mode fiber: In fiber optic communication, single-mode fiber (SMF) is a type of fiber that transmits optical signals directly in a transverse mode. Single-mode fiber operates at data rates of 100M/s or 1G/s, and the transmission distance can reach at least five kilometers. Typically, single-mode fiber is used for long-distance signal transmission.
Function of multi-mode fiber: Multi-mode fiber (MMF) is mainly used for short-distance fiber optic communication, such as within buildings or on campuses. The transmission speed is 100M/s, and the transmission distance is up to 2km.
Related news
We look forward to hearing from you
You can contact us in any convenient way. We provide services around the clock via phone or email.
No. 9, Building 1, Feisheng Hui, 170 Caiwen Road, Huangpu District, Guangzhou
Official Account
Copyright:© Guangzhou Yinxun Comm.Tech.Co..Ltd