The difference between singlemode fiber and multimode fiber

Hello,

Today, I  would  like  to  share  with  you the difference between singlemode fiber and multimode fiber.

Optical fiber is currently the benchmark for computer networks. Indeed, it offers an incredible data transmission speed. Unlike old telecommunications techniques such as ADSL, fiber offers ease of internet browsing. According to certain characteristics, such as the wavelength used, optical fiber can be classified into 2 categories: single-mode and multi-mode fiber. Single-mode fiber has more advanced technology, which allows it to be used more. The advantage offered by this type of optical fiber is even more interesting than that of multimode fiber.

Both multimode and singlemode fibers are 125 microns in outside diameter

Single-mode fiber refers to a fiber that transmits only one propagation mode at the operating wavelength.

Multimode fiber refers to a fiber in which the fiber can be propagated into multiple modes according to the working wavelength.

The difference:

1. The number of transmission methods is different. A single-mode fiber has a small core diameter and dispersion, and only allows one mode of transmission. Multimode fiber has a large core diameter and dispersion, allowing hundreds of modes to transmit. Single-mode fiber can transmit the fiber directly to the center and is usually used for long-distance data transmission; in multi-mode fiber, the optical signal propagates through multiple channels, so multi-mode fiber is usually used for short-distance data transmission.

2. The wiring length is different. Multimode cabling has shorter lengths than singlemode cabling, so singlemode is suitable for outdoor long-haul fiber optic applications, while multimode is the primary choice for data center and interior building applications. Because of the inherent high bandwidth capability of single-mode fibers, the popularity of single-mode fibers in short-distance applications is increasing, and more and more technicians are faced with the problem of installing single-mode fibers and multi-mode fibers simultaneously.

3. Bandwidth limiting delays are different. When propagating in multiple modes in a multimode fiber, some light propagates along the center of the fiber, while others propagate along a path close to the core cladding. The propagation mode at the outer edge is called high-order mode, and the propagation mode near the core center is called low-order mode. The propagation speed of the higher-order mode is different from that of the lower-order mode. The DMD is the difference in the propagation time.

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