How Are Fiber Optic

Transceivers Classified
Overview
Fiber Optic Transceivers acts as an optical module to facilitate photoelectric
conversion where the transmitter end takes in and converts the electrical signal in to
light. The optical fiber transmission occurs in the fiber cable plant to reach the
receiving end, which converts the light signals into electrical components. Both the
transmitters end and the receiver end have their own circuitry, and that handles all the
transmissions in both directions.

Classification of Optical Transceivers

There are different classifications that define the different types of the fiber
transceivers that we have on the market.
A. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF THE FIBER
OPTIC MODE
In relation to the above classification, two types of transceivers are available. These
are;
1. Single-mode fiber transceivers
2. Multi-mode fiber transceiver

Single-mode fiber transceivers

The single mode transceiver has a higher tolerance for the optics used. The fiber core
is smaller and the wavelength of the laser is narrower. This means that the SMF has
the capacity to accommodate higher bandwidth with much longer distances in the
transmission of the optical signals. The SMF work mainly at 1310nm to 1550nm
wavelength and are mostly used in the long distance transmission in the range of 2km,
10km, 40km, 80km, and 120km.

Multi-mode fiber transceiver

In the Multimode Fiber (MMF), it uses a much bigger core with a longer wavelength
of light. The optics that are used in MMF have a higher capacity to gather light from
the laser making the optics be cheaper. The FIBER OPTIC TRANSCEIVERS work at
850nm wavelength for short distance transmissions in the range of 100m 500m. It is
not able to make long distance transmissions but it can transport many kinds of optical
signals.

B. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE NETWORK MANAGEMENT

When classifying OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERS according to network management,
two distinct classifications emerge. These are;
1. Managed Optic Transceivers
2. Unmanaged Optic Transceivers
Managed Optic Transceivers
This is a more costly transceiver than unmanaged one. It provides additional network
monitoring with fault detection and remote configuration functionality.
Unmanaged Optic Transceivers
This form of media allows devices to communicate and does not provide the same
level of monitoring, detection of fault and configuration. Devices connected to the
unmanaged OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERS communicate automatically.

C. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO POWER SUPPLY

The above form of classification bring out two distinct Fiber Optic Transceivers
types;
1. Built-in Switching Power Transceiver
2. External Power Supply Transceiver

The Built-in Switching Power Transceiver are made for the carrier grade power. It
supports a wide power supply voltage regulations and filtering reducing any external
point of failure that is caused by the mechanical contact.
The External Power Supply Transceiver are made for the multi-use civilian equipment.
This type of device is compact and cheap.
D. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO WORK RATE
The above type of classification brings about two distinct types. These are;
1. Full Duplex Mode
2. Half Duplex Mode
Full Duplex Mode
This occurs when the data transmission and reception of the shunt is respectively
transmitted by two different transmission lines. The communication on both sides
occurs with the sending and the receiving operations taking place at the same time.
The full duplex mode occurs without the need for the switching of the direction and
no switching time delay is generated by the operation.
Half Duplex Mode
This mode is used with a transmission line, for both the reception and the
transmission. The data may thus be transmitted in both directions in the Fiber Optic
Transceiver, but the communicating parties cannot have a simultaneous sending and
receiving of data at the same time.