Transmission distance

The transmission distance of optical transceiver modules is divided into short and long-range types. A distance of 2 km (1.24 miles) and below is considered a short-range type. A distance of 10 km (6.21 miles) is considered a long-range type. Transmission distances provided by optical transceiver modules are limited by certain loss and dispersion suffered during the transmission of fiber signals over fibers.

  • Loss is the optical energy loss due to the absorption, dispersion, and leakage over the media when light travels through optical fibers. This loss increases in direct ratio to transmission distance.

  • Dispersion occurs mainly because light waves of different wavelengths travel at different rates over the same medium. This causes different wave components of optical signals to reach the receiving end early or late as the transmission distance increases causing impulse broadening. Impulse broadening makes the signal values indistinguishable (data loss). Different wavelengths traveling down the same fiber are called modes, and this data loss is known as intermodal dispersion.

To meet different transmission distance requirements, choose suitable optical transceiver modules according to actual networking conditions.