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Multimode fiber type

Fiber and communications infrastructure knowledge brief Published 03 Jul 2024

Prepared for preliminary research by the METRA knowledge desk. Confirm optical interfaces, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, thermal design and installation limits against current standards and product documentation.

Multimode fiber (MMF) comes in five main types—OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5—each with different core sizes, bandwidths, and transmission distances for short-range communication.

Overview of Multimode Fiber

Multimode fiber is designed for short-distance communication, typically within buildings or campuses, and is widely used in LANs and data centers. It has a larger core diameter (50–62. 5 µm) than single-mode fiber, allowing multiple light modes to propagate simultaneously, which increases data throughput but limits maximum transmission distance due to modal dispersion.

MM

F usually operates at 850 nm and 1300 nm wavelengths and uses LED or VCSEL light sources, making it more cost-effective than single-mode fiber.

Types of Multimode Fiber

Fiber Type

Core SizeJacket ColorBandwidthMax 10GbE DistanceTypical ApplicationsLight SourceOM162. 5 µmOrange200 MHz·km33 m100Mb/s, 1Gb/sLEDOM250 µmOrange500 MHz·km82 m1Gb/sLEDOM350 µmAqua2000 MHz·km300 m10Gb/s, 40/100Gb/sLaser-optimized (VCSEL)OM450 µmAqua4700 MHz·km400 m10Gb/s, 40/100Gb/sLaser-optimized (VCSEL)OM550 µmLime Green4700 MHz·km (supports SWDM)400 mHigh-speed, shortwave WDMLaser-optimized (VCSEL)OM1 and OM2 are older standards, primarily used for 100Mb/s to 1Gb/s Ethernet, while OM3, OM4, and OM5 are laser-optimized for higher-speed applications like 10GbE, 40GbE, and 100GbE over short distances. OM5 additionally supports shortwave wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM), allowing multiple wavelengths to transmit simultaneously over a single fiber, increasing capacity without adding more cables.

Key Considerations

Distance Limitations: Multimode fiber is generally limited to up to 550 meters at 10GbE, with OM4 and OM5 extending reach slightly further in data center backbones. Cost: MMF is less expensive than single-mode fiber due to lower-cost transceivers and electronics. Applications: Ideal for in-building networks, data centers, and campus backbones, but not suitable for long-haul or metro networks where single-mode fiber is preferred.

Connectors: Common connectors include ST, SC, LC, and MTP/MPO, each with specific advantages for installation and performance.

Summary

Choosing the right multimode fiber depends on required data rate, distance, and future scalability. For legacy networks, OM1 or OM2 may suffice, but for modern high-speed networks, OM3, OM4, or OM5 are recommended to support 10GbE and beyond, with OM5 offering additional capacity through SWDM for future-proofing.

Multimode fiber type - METRA FIBER MARKET [PDF]

Multimode fiber type
Multi-mode optical fiber

OverviewApplicationsComparison with single-mode fiberTypesEncircled fluxExternal links

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary fiber and communications infrastructure research. Optical interface, fiber type, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, cooling, installation limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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