Fiber Type and Performance
As fiber becomes more widely deployed in premises applica-
tions, a system designer should evaluate both multimode and
single-mode optical fiber to ensure the system meets present
requirements and those of future upgrades. Data rates
increase as new applications are being created. The system
designer can allow for bandwidth scalability by installing
optical fiber instead of other media. Use of optical fiber maxi-
mizes the prospects of ensuring compatibility with all future
applications.
The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with
fiber types and performance requirements needed to support
local area network (LAN) and storage area network (SAN)
applications commonly used in premises networks and data
centers and to describe considerations necessary to ensure
bandwidth scalability for future upgrades.
Applications
Six primary network applications are in use today. Each one
operates somewhat differently from the others and some are
interrelated. The systems are Ethernet, Token Ring, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Fibre Channel,
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and Synchronous Optical
Network (SONET). Some of these are designed for data trans-
mission only. Others can carry voice, data and video signals
simultaneously despite the huge difference in the transmis-
sion rates for these three types of signals. This chapter will
cover the transmission requirements for each application.
Ethernet
Ethernet is used primarily for data transmission. It originally
began as a bus-based application with coaxial cable as the
primary bus medium, but fiber replaced coax to extend
usable distance. Ethernet is now predominantly deployed in
switch networks. Ethernet versions using fiber are 10BASE-F
(10 Mb/s), 100BASE-F (100 Mb/s), 100BASE-5 (100 Mb/s),
1000BASE-S (1000 Mb/s), 1000BASE-L (1000 Mb/s), 10GBASE-S
(10 Gb/s), 10GBASE-L (10 Gb/s), 10GBASE-LX4 (10 Gb/s),
10GBASE-E (10 Gb/s). New intrabuilding fiber installations
usually operate over multimode fiber at
1000 Mb/s (gigabit) with 850 nm transceivers. With such
installations, scalability to 10 Gb/s should be considered
desirable. Campus backbone applications running Gigabit
Ethernet over multimode fiber may achieve link lengths up to
© 2006 Corning Cable Systems
1000 m; however, link lengths greater than about
550 m will require single-mode fiber to provide
10 Gb/s scalability. Ethernet systems are inclu-
sively standardized as IEEE 802.3. To date there is
only one copper media solution for 10 Gigabit
Ethernet, 10GBASE-CX4, which requires a factory-
terminated twin-axial cable for a maximum 15 m
distance. Twin-axial cable consists of a thick bun-
dle of eight separately shielded twin-axial cable
pairs.
Token Ring
Token Ring is a ring-based network application
used for data transmission. It operates at either
4 Mb/s or 16 Mb/s at the 850 nm operating
wavelength. Token Ring uses a “token” to pass
data between stations. Only the station that has
the token can transmit data. It uses twisted cop-
per pairs (shielded and unshielded) or optical
fiber as the transmission medium. Token Ring is
based on the IEEE 802.5 Standard.
FDDI
Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) is a dual-
ring (counter-rotating), token-based network
application for data and digital video transmis-
sions. It was designed to accommodate higher
data rates over longer distances with increased
reliability over previous applications. It operates
at 100 Mb/s using two rings; one ring for the sig-
nal and one ring as a backup in case of node or
cable failure. It operates at 1300 nm and was
originally written for 62.5/125 µm multimode
fiber, but 50/125 µm multimode fiber can also be
used.
Fibre Channel
Fibre Channel is a high-performance serial link
application with data rates of 1 Gb/s, 2 Gb/s,
4 Gb/s and 10 Gb/s. The standard specifies multi-
mode fiber and single-mode fiber as the primary
media type. The fiber type recommended
depends on the desired distance and data rate.
3.1 Design Guide
Fiber Type and Performance
The primary application is for data center SANs over multi-
mode fiber operating at 850 nm, such as laser-optimized
50/125 µm multimode fiber. Links between buildings may
require single-mode fiber.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is designed to allow the
efficient transmission of data between networks. If a user
multiplexes voice (low-rate), data (medium-rate), and video
(high-rate) signals over the same system, the system must be
capable of handling the signal that requires the highest
information rates (probably video). ATM efficiently uses the
available bandwidth by packaging the inputs from voice, data
and video sources into a series of 53-byte packets (5 bytes for
addressing, 48 bytes of information) for transmission and
switching at a rate that is compatible with the connecting
network. ATM can operate at different speeds using the same
packet system and automatically adjusts to the network
speed of the addressee. As system requirements change, so
can the data rate to meet those requirements. The data rates
range from 52 Mb/s to
2.5 Gb/s.
SONET
Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) is an optical multi-
plexing hierarchy for the transmission of voice, data and/or
video over single-mode fiber. SONET uses a base rate of 51.84
Mb/s with higher data rates in multiples of the base rate.
SONET is not a network application in and of itself, but rather
a system for coordinating and integrating different applica-
tions and networks over wide areas. SONET takes an incom-
ing multiplexed signal and reformats it to an electrical signal
called a Synchronous Transport Signal (STS). The
electrical signal is then converted to an Optical Carrier (OC)
signal. For example, an STS-1 electrical signal would be con-
verted to an OC-1 optical signal. The OC signal has the same
rate, format and functions as the STS signal. The SONET sig-
nal can assume the same format as another application such
as ATM, Ethernet or FDDI.
Many of the developing high-data-rate applications are bas-
ing their transmission criteria on the SONET transmission
scheme.
Design Guide 3.2
End Equipment
Span length, application and data rate are the
determining factors in the selection of fiber type
and end equipment. All must be considered in
order to make the best overall selection.
Multimode fiber is appropriate for the majority
of premises applications, as the associated opto-
electronic transmission equipment is usually
more economical than that for single-mode sys-
tems. Analysis of a specific system design will
lead to the selection of the most suitable fiber
type and end equipment, after which detailed
consideration of the optical parameters for both
fiber and system is necessary.
The following is a discussion of the nature and
meaning of those optical parameters with which
the designer should be familiar.
Transmitters
The transmitter is an electronic device that
receives an electrical signal, converts it into a
light signal and launches the signal into a fiber.
The transmitter can be a light emitting diode
(LED) or a laser. The common characteristics of
these light sources influencing fiber selection are
center wavelength and spectral width.
LEDs are inexpensive when compared to most
lasers and are primarily used with multimode
fiber because they emit light in a broad cone
that can only be captured efficiently by the large
numerical aperture of multimode fiber. LEDs
have a maximum modulation rate of 300 MHz,
which translates to a 655 Mb/s data rate. For sys-
tems operating at > 655 Mb/s, lasers must be
used. A typical output power for an LED source is
-12 dBm.
Fabry perot (FP) lasers and distributed feedback
(DFB) lasers emit light in a very narrow beam,
making them ideal for use with the small
numerical aperture of single-mode fiber. These
may also be used for multimode systems operat-
ing at 1300 nm.
© 2006 Corning Cable Systems
Fiber Type and Performance

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) emit light in a

larger spot size than FP or DFB lasers but in a much smaller
beam than an LED. Because their cost is closer to that of an
LED, VCSELs provide the optimum solution for high-bit-rate (Ž
1 Gb/s) 850 nm serial operation over 50/125 µm multimode
fiber.

Center Wavelength

Intensity
VCSEL

Optical fiber transmitters are characterized by the wave-

length at which they emit light. The nominal emission wave-
length is called the center wavelength of the transmitter,
although the transmitted signal is actually a collection of
wavelengths around this nominal value. The center wave-
LED
length is primarily a function of the type and configuration of
the materials used to fabricate the transmitter. It is usually
expressed in nanometers (nm). LEDs with center wavelengths
at 850 nm or 1300 nm have been in wide use for many years
and the transmission specifications for multimode fiber are
given at these two wavelengths. Laser transmitters for single-
mode systems operate at center wavelengths of 1310 nm or
1550 nm; thus single-mode fibers carry specifications for Wavelength (nm)
transmission at these two wavelengths. VCSELs operate at a
Figure 3.1 – Spectral Profile Comparison, Laser and LED
center wavelength of 850 nm over multimode fiber. for 850 nm Transmission

Spectral Width

The total power produced by an optical transmitter is not

confined to just the center wavelength. It is distributed over a Maximum
sity

Intensit
range of wavelengths spread about the center wavelength.
Inten

This range is quantified as the spectral width, Dl, measured

in nanometers (nm), and it impacts the overall transmission One-Half
Maximum
capacity of a fiber optic link (Figure 3.1). Spectral width is usu- Full-Width, Half-Maximum
Intensity

ally expressed as a full-width, half-maximum (FWHM) value (FWHM) Spectral Width

(Figure 3.2). Transmitter specifications include a specification Wavelength (nm)

for spectral width. For LEDs, typical FWHM values for
Figure 3.2 – Pulse Width of a Light Source Showing Full-Width,
spectral width will be 30-50 nm; while for VCSELs, it would Half-Maximum (FWHM)
typically be 0.2-0.4 nm; and for FP lasers, it would typically be
1-3 nm. Figure 3.3 shows characteristics of a VCSEL.

Receivers

As with transmitters, each piece of optical fiber transmission

equipment contains a receiver. Nearly all types of receivers
used in optical fiber systems incorporate a photodetector
such as a photodiode to convert the incoming optical signal
back to an electrical signal. The operating wavelength of the

© 2006 Corning Cable Systems 3.3 Design Guide

Fiber Type and Performance
receiver matches that of the transmitter. A receiver designed
for 1300 nm operation is not suitable for use at 850 nm.
Data Rate
The data rate is the maximum number of bits per second
that can be transmitted and received with a bit error rate
(BER) below a certain level. A typical BER is one error in 1012
pulses.
The typical sources used in premises applications are directly
modulated (DM). These sources can be LEDs or lasers, such as
a VCSEL. They are called directly modulated because the
source itself turns on and off. Contrast this to an external
modulated (EM) laser which is always on and the light is
modulated by an external source. EM lasers perform better
than DM sources but also cost much more. The performance
of DM sources is suitable for most premises applications.
These lasers are used because they perform adequately and
cost less. For directly modulated sources, the limiting factors
High
Data Rate
Low
Narrow
Dl )(
Spectral Width
Wide
Short
Response Time
Long
Figure 3.4 – Relationship Between Spectral Width,
Response Time and Data Rate
are the time required for a light to turn on (rise time) and
turn off (fall time) for each pulse. The rise time is typically the
time required for the light output to rise from 10 to 90 per-
cent of the maximum level. The fall time is the reverse. Often
the rise and fall times are the same; however, the longer of
these two quantities is considered the response time. A typi-
cal value might be a few nanoseconds.
The receiver also has a rise and fall time that can limit the
data rate. Photodetectors take a finite time to respond to
changes in light levels (on and off pulses) and generate an
Design Guide 3.4
electrical current. The magnitude of this time
depends on the material and design of the pho-
todetector. The longer the response time, the
lower the data rate that can be successfully
transmitted. (Figure 3.4).
Another factor is the relationship between the
size of the photodetector and the response time
of that detector. The larger the photodetector,
the more light from the optical fiber it will cap-
ture, making alignment less critical. A larger pho-
todetector has a slower response time, however.
The numerical aperture of the receiver should be
properly matched to the numerical aperture of
the optical fiber to obtain optimal performance.
The two main types of receivers are the PIN and
the avalanche photodetector. The PIN is the most
widely used and economical solution.
Dynamic Range
Bit errors can also occur when too much or too
little light strikes the photodetector. The
response of a photodetector is linear only within
a certain range of power levels. This is called the
dynamic range. Exceeding the linear response
area (dynamic range) for a given photodetector
causes it to generate a non-proportional amount
of electrical current. If the dynamic range is
exceeded, the receiver is saturated. An optical
attenuator can be placed at the receiver in line
with the optical fiber to reduce the amount of
received light power. The receiver sensitivity
specifies the minimum power level required. A
typical value would be -17 dBm for 1 Gb/s
Ethernet operation at
850 nm.
Operating Wavelength
Operating wavelength is another important
parameter in system design. Multimode fiber is
optimized for operation in two windows:
• 850 nm
• 1300 nm
Attenuation is lower at 1300 nm than at 850 nm.
Legacy 62.5/125 µm multimode fiber was opti-
© 2006 Corning Cable Systems
Fiber Type and Performance
mized with respect to bandwidth at 1300 nm to take advan-
tage of this lower attenuation. As data rates have increased,
multimode systems are now less likely to be attenuation-lim-
ited and more likely to be bandwidth-limited due to modal
dispersion. VCSELs which operate at 850 nm have prompted
the development of laser-optimized 50/125 µm multimode
fiber which can extend the achievable distance at high-data-
rates while still taking advantage of the overall lower system
costs associated with multimode fiber.
Dispersion unshifted single-mode fiber having a low attenua-
tion in the water peak region as specified in ITU-T G.652.D
and TIA/EIA-492-CAAB is designed for operation in the 1310
nm and 1550 nm regions; however, there is a tradeoff at each
wavelength region. The attenuation at 1550 nm is generally
lower than that at 1310 nm. The chromatic dispersion, howev-
er, is much higher at 1550 nm than at 1310 nm. For premises
applications, TIA/EIA-568-B.1, Commercial Building
Telecommunications Cabling Standard, and IEC 11801, Generic
Cabling for Customer Premises, recommend the use of disper-
sion unshifted single-mode fiber because premises communi-
cation standards are designed for operation at 1310 nm. The
10 Gb/s Ethernet Standard specifies operation at 1310 nm and
1550 nm with dispersion unshifted single-mode fiber having
a low water peak.
Optical Fiber Specifications
There are two major classifications of fiber. In general, multi-
mode fiber is best suited for premises applications, where
links are short and there are many connectors. The higher
numerical aperture of multimode fiber allows the use of rela-
tively inexpensive LED and VCSEL transmitters. Single-mode
fiber is best suited for long distance systems.
The standard types of multimode fiber in North America are
50/125 µm and 62.5/125 µm optical fiber. These fiber types are
recognized by TIA/EIA-568-B.3 and IEC 11801. TIA/EIA-568-B.3
also recognizes single-mode optical fiber for backbone
cabling. TIA/EIA-492AAAA, TIA/EIA-492AAAB, and TIA/EIA-
492CAAB specify mechanical, geometrical and optical charac-
teristics for 62.5/125 µm, 50/125 µm and single-mode fibers
respectively.
Laser-optimized 50/125 µm multimode fiber is designed for
850 nm operation at 1 Gb/s and higher. The fiber supports
10 GbE and 10 Gb/s Fibre Channel system operation at
850 nm for distances up to 550 meters. TIA/EIA-492-AAAC
© 2006 Corning Cable Systems
specifies mechanical, geometric and optical char-
acteristics for laser-optimized 50/125 µm multi-
mode fiber. The fiber has been fully adopted into
TIA/EIA-568-B.3 and IEC-11801.
Selection of the appropriate multimode fiber
type for a given application should be made on
the basis of current and anticipated future band-
width and link length requirements. Future link
lengths may increase over those of the initial
installation due to cable plant expansions or
equipment moves, adds or changes. There are
currently multiple bandwidth measures used to
predict multimode fiber system performance.
Until recently, 62.5/125 µm multimode fiber has
been the dominant fiber type used in LAN instal-
lations. These legacy multimode systems were
designed for use with LED sources which create
an overfilled launch (OFL) condition. The system
performance of fiber operating with LED sources
is best characterized by the OFL bandwidth test
method described in TIA/EIA-455-204. With the
migration toward higher-data-rate systems oper-
ating with laser light sources, fiber bandwidth
measurements techniques have evolved and
have been adopted into standards which better
characterize system performance under laser
launch conditions. TIA/EIA-455-204 and IEC
60793-1-41 specify a bandwidth test method
using restricted mode launch (RML) conditions
characteristic of VCSEL sources. This method has
been shown to provide a suitable bandwidth
measure for systems operating at 1 Gb/s.
For systems operating at data rates greater than
1 Gb/s, TIA/EIA-455-220 and IEC 60793-1-49 band-
width test methods are used which include a
series of small spot size launches (approximately
5 µm) indexed across the fiber core. Measurements
are made of the output pulse time delay and
mode coupling power of the fiber as a function
of radial position (Figure 3.5). These measure-
ments are referred to as differential mode delay
(DMD) measurements. Data from these measure-
ments can be analyzed by two methods to deter-
mine whether the fiber meets the effective modal
bandwidth (EMB) requirement of a specific appli-
cation.
3.5 Design Guide
Fiber Type and Performance

50
50uµm
mM ultimode Fiber
Multimode Fiber performance, EMB is calculated for 10 actual
laser sources which have been determined to
Core Core of Fiber
of Fiber
represent the performance extremes of 10,000
At each position, the
input
At sporposition,
each excites a dif-
the
standards-compliant 10 Gb/s VCSELs. Of these 10
Light Source:
Light Source:
ferent subsets
input of mode a
spot excites sources, the one yielding the lowest EMBc value
The laser The laser is
source is
groups
different subset of
coupledcoupled
into ainto a
single-mode
mode groups is taken to represent the minimum expected per-
single-mode
patch cord, whichpatchis scanned
cord,fiber's
across the which is core By
By measuring
measuringthe dealy
the
formance level of all standards-compliant
scanned across the
fiber’s core
time
delayTx time
position
versusTposition X
x versus
we can deduce mode ded
X we can
VCSELs, and the EMBc value associated with this
mode delays
delays and
and index index
erros source is therefore referred to as the minimum
calculated EMB or minEMBc.

5 µm The primary advantage of the minEMBc method

Figure 3.5 – Measurement of Differential Mode Delay
over the DMD mask method is that the minEMBc
method guarantees standards-compliant fiber
performance under worst case source/fiber
interactions while providing an actual value of
The first method for translating DMD measurements into an
bandwidth in the scalable units of MHz•km. The
EMB prediction is commonly referred to as the DMD mask
minEMBc value can then be used to calculate bit
approach, where the leading and trailing edges of each pulse
rates and link lengths for systems requiring EMB
are recorded and normalized in power relative to each other.
values other than a minimum
This normalization approach reduces the raw DMD data to
2000 MHz•km.
focus exclusively on time delay, where the overall fiber delay
is calculated as the difference between the times for the
Corning Cable Systems recommends that multi-
slowest trailing edge and the fastest leading edge in units of
mode fiber intended for current or future use at
ps/m. In order for a fiber to be determined as meeting the
data rates Ž 1 Gb/s should be specified according
required minimum value of 2000 MHz•km EMB at 850 nm as
to minEMBc values rather than pass/fail per-
specified for 10 GbE systems in IEEE 802.3ae, the DMD data
formance indicated by the DMD mask method.
must conform to one of six templates or masks and must not
show a DMD measurement greater than 0.25 ps/m for any of
four specified radial offset intervals. It should be noted that
Optical Fiber Distance Capability
this method provides only a pass/fail estimation against the
As previously noted, the best fiber to use for an
2000 MHz•km requirement.
application depends upon a variety of factors
including link length, selection of electronics and
The newer method for predicting EMB from DMD data is
system scalability requirements. Therefore, the
called calculated effective modal bandwidth (EMBc). As men-
maximum distance capability of the fiber for a
tioned, the DMD measurement characterizes a single fiber’s
given application must be considered. Figures 3.6
modal performance in high detail, including both modal time
through 3.10 give detailed indications of the link
delay and coupling as a function of radial position. With
length limitations by fiber type for various appli-
EMBc, the fiber’s performance is then characterized by a
cations.
series of representative sources which are chosen to span
across a range of 10,000 standards-compliant 10 Gb/s VCSELs.

Conceptually, this is done by weighting the individual DMD

launches to approximate the radial intensity distribution of
any desired VCSEL. Those weightings are then combined with
the raw DMD data to construct an output pulse for that
fiber/laser combination. The resultant output pulse can then
be used to calculate EMB in units of MHz•km. To ensure field

Design Guide 3.6 © 2006 Corning Cable Systems

Fiber Type and Performance

Fiber Type Recommendations

Summary

Corning Cable Systems recommends the use of 50/125 µm

fiber for building backbone, campus backbone, horizontal
cabling, centralized cabling and data centers. This allows the
user to operate at slower speeds initially but to move to
higher-data-rate laser-based systems as bandwidth demands
increase. Depending upon fiber grade selection, this
approach will provide an upgrade path to 1 Gb/s for a dis-
tance of 600 to 1000 m and to 10 Gb/s for distances of at
least 82 to 550 m.

Where fiber is to be added to extend the length or connectiv-

ity of legacy fiber links, the added fiber should be of the
same core size as the legacy fiber, rather than mixing fiber
types. Where partially populated switches are connected to
62.5/125 µm fiber, additional ports may be populated with
50/125 µm fiber.

Application Wavelength (nm) Data Rate Max Distance (m)

Gigabit Ethernet 850 1000 Mb/s 600
Gigabit Ethernet 1300 1000 Mb/s 600
Serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet 850 10 Gb/s 82
CWDM 10 Gigabit Ethernet 1300 10 Gb/s 300
Fibre Channel 850 1 Gb/s 500
Fibre Channel 850 2 Gb/s 300
Fibre Channel 850 4 Gb/s 150
Fibre Channel 850 10 Gb/s 82
FDDI 1300 100 Mb/s 2000
ATM 1300 622 Mb/s 300
Figure 3.6 – Data Rate/Length Capabilities of LANscape® Solutions Cabled Standard 50/125 µm Multimode Optical Fiber

Application Wavelength (nm) Data Rate Max Distance (m)

Gigabit Ethernet 850 1000 Mb/s 1000
Gigabit Ethernet 1300 1000 Mb/s 600
Serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet 850 10 Gb/s 300
CWDM 10 Gigabit Ethernet 1300 10 Gb/s 300
Fibre Channel 850 1 Gb/s 860
Fibre Channel 850 2 Gb/s 500
Fibre Channel 850 4 Gb/s 270
Fibre Channel 850 10 Gb/s 300
FDDI 1300 100 Mb/s 2000
ATM 1300 622 Mb/s 300
Figure 3.7 – Data Rate/Length Capabilities of LANscape Solutions Cabled Laser-Optimized 50/125 µm Multimode -300 Optical Fiber

© 2006 Corning Cable Systems 3.7 Design Guide

Fiber Type and Performance

Application Wavelength (nm) Data Rate Max Distance (m)

Gigabit Ethernet 850 1000 Mb/s 1000
Gigabit Ethernet 1300 1000 Mb/s 600
Serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet 850 10 Gb/s 550
CWDM 10 Gigabit Ethernet 1300 10 Gb/s 300
Fibre Channel 850 1 Gb/s 1130
Fibre Channel 850 2 Gb/s 650
Fibre Channel 850 4 Gb/s 350
Fibre Channel 850 10 Gb/s 550
FDDI 1300 100 Mb/s 2000
ATM 1300 622 Mb/s 300
Figure 3.8 – Data Rate/Length Capabilities of LANscape Solutions Cabled Laser-Optimized 50/125 µm Multimode -550 Optical Fiber

Application Wavelength (nm) Data Rate Max Distance (m)

Gigabit Ethernet 850 1000 Mb/s 300
Gigabit Ethernet 1300 1000 Mb/s 550
Serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet 850 10 Gb/s 33
CWDM 10 Gigabit Ethernet 1300 10 Gb/s 300
Fibre Channel 850 1 Gb/s 300
Fibre Channel 850 2 Gb/s 150
Fibre Channel 850 4 Gb/s 70
Fibre Channel 850 10 Gb/s 33
FDDI 1300 100 Mb/s 2000
ATM 1300 622 Mb/s 300
Figure 3.9 – Data Rate/Length Capabilities of LANscape Solutions Cabled Standard 62.5/125 µm Multimode Optical Fiber

Application Wavelength (nm) Data Rate Max Distance (km)

Gigabit Ethernet 1310 1000 Mb/s 5
Serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet 1310 1000 Mb/s 10
Serial 10 Gigabit Ethernet 1550 10 Gb/s 40
CWDM 10 Gigabit Ethernet 1300 10 Gb/s 10
Fibre Channel 1300 1 Gb/s 10
Fibre Channel 1300 2 Gb/s 10
Fibre Channel 1300 4 Gb/s 10
Fibre Channel 1300 10 Gb/s 10
FDDI 1300 100 Mb/s 40
ATM 1310 622 Mb/s 15
ATM 1310 2.5 Gb/s 40
ATM 1550 2.5 Gb/s 80
Figure 3.10 – Data Rate/Length Capabilities of LANscape® Solutions Cabled Single-Mode Optical Fiber

Design Guide 3.8 © 2006 Corning Cable Systems