Choosing the Right Multimode Fiber for Data Communications

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New Generation 50 µm Fiber Extends Link Lengths, Supports Higher Data Rates
Laser Optimized Multimode Fiber was introduced in 1999. It supports 300-meter
link lengths for 10 Gb/s applications and is tested to ensure a 2,000 MHz•km Effective
Modal Bandwidth (EMB). Its industry-standard 50 µm core size couples sufficient power
from LED sources to support legacy applications like Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and
Fast Ethernet for virtually all in-building networks and most campus networks. The 50
µm core size is also directly compatible with laser-based applications like Gigabit
Ethernet and Fibre Channel, etc. Furthermore, it is the recommended multimode fiber
type in ANSI/EIA/TIA-942, Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data
Centers.
OM3 fiber is a logical and cost-effective choice for short-range applications that
need to support 1Gb/s or multi-gigabit speeds, especially when the cabling component
costs account for less than 3% of the total spend. Compared to the total installation cost
of networks using lower bandwidth OM1 or OM2 fibers, the premium for OM3 fiber is
typically about 1% and yet can offer significant cost savings for the electronics when
upgrading to higher speeds, e.g. 10 Gb/s.
Laser Optimized 50 µm Fiber - Today’s Preferred Choice
Today 1Gb/s-ready backbone solutions are the norm and offer 10x speed
capability at almost cost parity of 100 Mb/s LED-based systems. OM3 fiber has a
significantly higher bandwidth advantage for longer reach 1 Gb/s and 10 Gb/s