GBIC (Gigabit Interface Converter) transceiver, just as its name implies, it with one end to plug into a gigabit Ethernet port like switches, the other end to connect the fiber optic cables and then link the whole fiber optic networks. GBIC module functions well in transforming the signals between the Ethernet network and fiber optic network. Via the GBIC transceiver, Gigabit network equipments can be directly connected to copper wires, both single mode fiber ports and multimode fiber ports. GBIC transceivers are beneficial, as they eliminate the necessity of replacing entire boards at the system level. Upgrading can be done with any number of units at a time, from an individual module to all the modules in a system.

GBIC has its multi sources agreement as the industrial standard, this help manufacturers save cost to develop their each own standard and solve the problem of compatibility, GBIC transceivers could also benefit the users, because the equipment support GBIC can fit to use different kinds of GBIC transceivers from different suppliers, what is more, GBIC is hot pluggable, this feature allows a suitably designed enclosure to be changed from one type of external interface to another simply by plugging in a GBIC having the alternative external interface. The GBIC transceivers are suitable for interconnections in the Gigabit Ethernet hubs and switches environment. The design of these converters is also practical for other high performance, point-to-point communication requiring gigabit or fiber channel interconnections.

GBIC classification is based on its working wavelength, data transmitting rate, working power, and the working distance. Generally GBIC fiber optic end the interface is SC type, the laser unit in GBIC module can be 850nm VCSEL, 1310nm FP, 1310nm DFB, and 1550nm DFB.

Features of typical GBIC modules:
Compliant with Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) Revision 5.5
Compliant with proposed specifications for IEEE 802.3z/Gigabit Ethernet
Up to 1.25Gb/s bi-directional data link
Various kinds of wavelength and working distances optional
Extended power supply +3.3/5.0V compatible
Hot pluggable
Low EMI
Low power dissipation
Class 1 Laser Product Compliant with the Requirements of IEC 60825-1 and IEC 60825-2

Tips on installing GBIC transceivers:
When install a GBIC module, please note the alignment groove at the side of the transceiver, and make sure it fits for the Ethernet interface slot and try the insertion, sometimes you may need to turn it 180 degree to fit for the interface. Although GBIC fiber optic transceiver modules are plug and play, we strongly suggest you disconnect all the fiber optic patch cords connected to it before you install or remove it.

SFP or mini-GBIC is a small transceiver that plugs into the SFP port of a network switch and connects to Fiber Channel and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) optical fiber cables at the other end. SFP modules mainly act as an interface between a networking device like any switch, router, Repeater, Multiplexer, etc. and its interconnecting cable. By choosing the appropriate SFP module, the same electrical port on the switch can connect to fibers of different types (multimode or single mode) and different wavelengths. If the fiber is upgraded, the SFP module is replaced. The SFP converts the serial electrical signals to serial optical signals and vice versa. SFP modules are hot swappable and contain ID and system information for the switch.

The SFP transceiver has an immense variety available, each with different transmitter or receivers. This allows the user to configure and customize the transceiver to get the proper optical reach with either a multimode fiber or single-mode fiber type. Moreover, the optical SFP module comes in four categories - SX, which is 850nm, LX, which is 1310nm, ZX, which 1550nm and DWDM. Such as Gigabit Ethernet SFP modules include 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-EX, 1000BASE-ZX, or 1000BASE-BX10-D/U.

Certain SFP transceivers always use fiber optic cables as interface, also use copper cables as interface. This causes a device in the network to send their data over shielded or unshielded twisted pair cable. Usually such copper cable interfaces are used when the information to be transmitted needs to cover only shorter distances where use of copper cable is more economical than optic fiber cables.

XFP, SFP+ for 10 Gigabits
The 10G module has been developed from 300Pin, XENPAK, X2, XFP and finally achieve with the same size as SFP which can transmit 10G signals called SFP+, as SFP supported only up to 4.25 Gbps. In comparison to earlier XENPAK or XFP modules, SFP+ modules leave more circuitry to be implemented on the host board instead of inside the module. SFP+ transceiver had replaced XFP module and became the mainstream in the market. SFP+ transceiver is interchangeable with SFP transceiver and can be used in the same cases as SFP transceiver. SFP and SFP+ have the same size and appearance, but in a different standard.

SFP - Gigabit up to 80km
XFP - 10G for up to 80km
SFP+ - 10G for up to 100km

For 10G applications, SFP+ transceiver has a smaller footprint and lower power consumption than XFP transceiver. There are 10G SFP+ module, BiDi SFP+ module, CWDM SFP+ module, DWDM SFP+ module available at FiberStore.

Plastic optical fiber (POF) is an optical fiber which is made out of plastic, is immune to electromagnetic wave radiation, noise , and has a good capacity of resisting distance. The POF cable has a higher bandwidth than other transmission material like copper, while it is energy-saving and environment protection. They are widely used in FTTH, CPN, LAN, industrial control, military communication and monitor system, consumer electronics, airborne equipment automobile intelligence and so on.

One of the most exciting developments in polymer fibers is the development of microstructured polymer optical fibers (mPOF), a type of photonic crystal fiber. POF fiber also has applications in sensing. It is possible to write Fiber Bragg grating in single mode and multimode POF. There are advantages in doing this over using silica fiber since the POF can be stretched further without breaking.

In large-diameter fibers, 96% of the cross section is the core that allows the transmission of light. Similar to the traditional glass fiber, POF transmits light (or data) through the core of the fiber. The core size of POF is in some cases 100 times larger than glass fiber.

Plastic fiber optic patch cords possess special characteristics that make this product an ideal solution for applications which traditional glass fiber products are not well suited. For applications requiring a very tight bend radius, POF products can generally bend to 25mm with no excessive attenuation. For visible light laser applications, POF assemblies can transmit the signal such that it is visible to the human eye, making the user aware of its attachment to an active laser and allowing them to avoid associated dangers. POF fiber optic patch cord products also have a very wide tolerance for scratching and contamination from the field. This tolerance allows the product to perform at acceptable level despite some compromise in physical condition.

For telecommunications, the more difficult-to-use glass optical fiber is more common, which has a core made of germania-doped silica. Although the actual cost of glass fibers are similar to the plastic fiber, their installed cost is much higher due to the special handling and installation techniques required. POF has been called the "consumer" optical fiber because the fiber and associated optical links, connectors, and installation are all inexpensive.

Advantages of POF in Simple:
-Low cost for maintenance, saving cooper resource, energy-saving and environment protection.
-Immune to electromagnetic wave radiation, no noise effect, good capacity of resisting disturbance.
-Low weight, flexible, high resist flutter and determinate cleavage, durability.
-High bandwidth, high speed, good performance.
-High privacy protection, reliable safety.
-Optimum bandwidth, high speed, good performance.
-Close coupling, high illumination, stabile attenuation.
-Easy installation, needlessness for special tools and fusion welding, and cut at will by your request.
-Waterproof, Dampproof, Antimagnetic, free of magnetic and thunders.

MTP stands for "Multifiber Termination Push-on" connector, designed by USConec and built around the MT ferrule, simply turned MPO connector with better optical and mechanical performance. Each MTP contains 12 fibers or 6 duplex channels in a connector smaller than most duplex connections in use today. Which means you can pull just 1 single cable with for example 12 fibers, so instead of patching 12 seperate fiber cables you only patch 1 cable with 1 connector. MTP designed as a high-performance version of the MPO fiber and interconnect with MPO connectors.

MTP connector is manufactured specifically for a multifiber ribbon cable. The single mode version has a angled ferrule allowing for minimal back reflection, whereas the multimode connector ferrule is commonly flat.

A 72-fiber trunk cable can be terminated with six MTP connectors; relocating a 256-channel ESCON director now requires only re-plugging 43 connections. Trunk cables terminated with multiple MTP connectors are available in four versions, either 12 fiber/6 channels, 36 fiber/18 channels, 72/36 channels, or 144 fiber/72 channels.

The typical insertion loss for MTP connectors is 0.25dB. From a design perspective, it is recommended to use a loss margin of 0.5dB for MTP connections. Optical alignment is facilitated by a pair of metal guide pins in the ferrule of a male MTP connector, which mate with corresponding holes in the female MTP connector.

MTP connector allows high-density connections between network equipment in telecommunication rooms. It uses a simple push-pull latching mechanism for easy and intuitive insertion and removal. The end of MTP connector may be polished flat or at an 8° angle. It is the same size of a SC connector but since it can accommodate a maximum of 12 fibers, it provides up to 12 times the density, thereby offering savings in circuit card and rack space.

Relative MTP devices are MTP trunk cable, MTP casette, MTP fanout cables, MTP Direct Split cables, etc. MTP Trunk cable is designed for Data Center applications, it is a round cable with the outer diameter of 3,0 mm or 4,5 mm (with two jackets on both sides). MTP casette is nothing more then a basic case which splits out MTP to SC/LC/ST/FC/MTRJ/ connectors. MTP fanout cables are cables that are multiple cables that are bundeled within the same jacket, also often refered as a breakout cable. MTP Direct Split cables are cables with the fanout made directly in the MTP connector. These are designed for high density Data Center applications to plug into MTP casettes and/or MTP patch panels.

Nowadays when come to a network infrastructure, fiber cable are always the first option. With a fiber optic data network, your telecommunication infrastructure is easily scalable with the maximum security, reliability, and most cost-effective solution, truly meet today's connectivity and highest bandwidth demands.

Fiber optic cable is able to function as a data transfer medium through the transmission of light because the hollow, round glass or plastic wires reflect the light back to the core of the wire, causing the cable to act as a waveguide. Glass and plastic offer widely different characteristics and used in very different applications.

Although fiber optic cables offer a far superior performance to that which can be achieved with other forms of cable, they nevertheless suffer from some levels of attenuation. This is caused by several effects:

Loss associated with the impurities There will always be some level of impurity in the core of the optical fiber. This will cause some absorption of the light within the fiber.
Loss associated with the cladding When light reflects off the interface between the cladding and the core, the light will actually travel into the core a small distance before being reflected back. This process causes a small but significant level of loss and is one of the main contributors to the overall attenuation of a signal along a fiber optic cable.
Loss associated with the wavelength It is found that the level of signal attenuation in the optical fiber depends the wavelength used. The level increases at certain wavelengths as a result of certain impurities.

Despite the fact that attenuation is an issue, it is nevertheless possible to transmit data along single mode fibers for considerable distances. Lines carrying data rates up to 50 Gbps are able to cover distances of 100km without the need for amplification. But there is still a maximum distance, this is limited not only by the attenuation of the cable, but also the distortion of the light signal along the cable. In order to overcome these effects and transmit the signals over longer distances, repeaters and amplifiers are used. These devices convert the optical signal into an electrical format where it can be processed to ensure that the signal is not distorted and then converted back into the optical format. It may then be transmitted along the next state of the fiber optic cable.

An alternative approach is to use an optical amplifier. Amplifiers directly amplify the optical signal without the need to convert the signal back into an electrical format. The amplifiers consist of a length of fiber optic cable that is doped with a rare earth mineral named Erbium. The treated fibre cable is then illuminated or pumped with light of a shorter wavelength from another laser and this serves to amplify the signal that is being carried.

In view of the much reduced cost of fiber optic amplifier over repeater, most repeaters have been replaced by amplifiers, amplifiers are far more widely used.