What Are Optical Transceivers?

Optical Transceivers

In the technological world, optical transceivers are a vital hardware component for several industries. Often optical transceivers are utilized in networking hardware installations. In most instances, optical transceivers are used in so many industries because they make it possible for a simple switch to support companies’ various types of wiring and transmission formats.

This may be true, but it can be confusing trying to understand why optical transceivers are so crucial to companies. For example, telecommunications companies would have difficulty conducting their day-to-day tasks if they were not using optical transceivers. To help you learn why optical transceivers are essential, we will discuss what they are, different form factors, the three categories they fall into, and the different types of optical transceivers businesses use. 

Related: Data Center Planning and Implementation

What Are Optical Transceivers?

In simplified terms, an optical transceiver is a single hardware component that acts as both a transmitter and a receiver of data. They are small yet powerful devices that are crucial for data exchanges. 

Optical transceivers will transmit and receive data through the use of fiber optic technology. Data is sent with fiber optic technology incredibly fast and usually over incredible distances, which is why an optical transceiver is needed. Additionally, these devices are required when high levels of data traffic need to be transmitted and received over specific networks. 

The data is received through pulses of light. Optical transceivers convert electrical signals found in this data into light signals and vice versa from a router or switch into an optical signal. This signal can then be transmitted or received. 

Optical transceivers are multifunctional as they can either be plugged into or embedded into a network device. There is one prerequisite; however, that is needed for them to work. When they are plugged in or embedded into a network device, it needs to be able to send and receive signals.

Form factor optical transcievers

What Is A Form Factor And How Does It Relate To An Optical Transceiver

Interestingly, many different types of optical transceivers come in various shapes and sizes. Essentially a form factor refers to the different types of optical transceivers. The type of form factor that a company needs will depend on the network requirements, such as the type of data being sent and received, the speed, and the distance it needs to travel. 

Generally, an optical transceiver manufacturer will design these devices according to the multi-source agreement. The multisource agreement is a standard that ensures optical transceiver manufacturers design devices that are interoperable. 

The Three Transceiver Categories

There are three different optical transceiver categories that you should be aware of. 

  1. Standard – Grey

The first optical transceiver type you should know is the most common. A standard transceiver or grey transceiver is a single-channel device. Most businesses know it as a grey transceiver because xWDM signals are all colored wavelength channels while all signals, not xWDM, are uncolored and thus grey. 

Often grey transceivers have two primary applications. A grey transceiver can be connected directly to a single fiber channel and ethernet data switch. This allows the transceiver to transfer data over dark fiber. Additionally, grey transceivers can also act as an optical interface on a client-side transponder xWDM based system. 

When using a standard transceiver, there are four different types, and each of them has its own transmission distance capabilities. 

  • LR = Long range – 1310nm.
  • SR = Short range – 850nm.
  • ER = Extended range – 1550nm.
  • ZR = Further extended range – 1550nm.
  1. CWDM/DWDM

Another optical transceiver category is referred to as CWDM/DWDM. However, they are commonly known as xDWD as the C and D stand for coarse and dense wavelength patterns. Similar to the grey transceiver category, DWDM and CWDM have two primary applications. 

Their first application is to connect directly to a data switch to transport xWDM wavelengths over dark fiber. Yet, their second application is to act as an output signal that originates from a transponder-based xWDM system.

  1. Single Fiber – Bi-Directional

Single fiber optical transceivers are also known as bi-directional optical transceivers. This type of transceiver has two separate wavelength channels. One of the channels is used to transmit data, and the other wavelength is used to receive traffic over a single fiber strand. 

Usually, single fiber optical trasceivers use channels 1310nm and 1550nm, but two CWDM channels are needed for long-distance data transfers. Generally, CDWD 1510nm or 1570nm are used. 

Related: Managed SD-WAN

Are you wondering which category of optical transceiver you need for your company? If so, look at the information on the C & C Technological Group’s website to learn more.

Common types optical transceivers

Three Common Types Of Optical Transceivers

It is usually tough to determine which optical transceiver type is most suitable for any given application. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the main differences between transceiver types. Below we have briefly discussed the most commonly used and installed optical transceiver modules. These are only three of many different optical transceivers that are currently available. 

  1. XFP

One of the oldest transceiver types is XFP. It is incredibly rare to find new equipment that supports this transceiver type, but XFP is still popular despite this. XFP optical transceivers work with 10Gbps connections for fiber, Ethernet, and SONET. 

However, this type of transceiver usually works the best with fiber because it supports high-density multiplexing.XFP is very energy efficient because it requires very little power consumption. 

  1. SFP

The most commonly used optical transceiver format is SFP. All SFP transceivers are hot-swappable and pluggable. Although they are frequently used, they do have a few limitations. However, SFP transceivers work well with high-density ports, and they have a maximum speed of up to 5Gbps

Yet, SFP transceivers are generally used for connections up to 1Gbps. SFP transceivers support a variety of different wiring types such as single-mode fiber, Ethernet, multimode fiber, and SONET.

  1.  SFP +

Those who like SFP transceivers but want a more reliable and faster device usually opt for SFP+ transceivers. These transceivers are a newer and more improved version of the original SFP optical transceivers. Unlike with SFP, an SFP+ transceiver supports higher data transfer rates. Additionally, the transmission speeds are also much improved as SFP+ transceivers have the capability to transfer data up to speeds of 10Gbps with an Ethernet connection

If you’re curious about what type of optical transceiver would work best for your network requirements, you should get in touch with the C & C Technology Group. They specialize in technological components that transfer and receive fiber optic data. 

Learn Your Rights for Agnostic Optics Utilization.

Enter your email below for our Free Magnuson-Moss Act guide,

Magnuson moss cover page

Now You Know What Optical Transceivers Are And What They Are Used For 

The technological aspects surrounding optical transceivers can be difficult to understand especially if you are not technologically inclined. However, optical transceivers are crucial if you have a network that needs to transfer and receive heavy digital traffic over long distances speedily. 

If you are wondering what type of optical transceiver your company could benefit from using, you should consider finding out more from the C & C Technology Group. This company is well versed in all things associated with optical transceivers and can help you understand what more you need to know. 

Related: Network & Cable Testers [A Buyer’s Guide]

Last Updated on December 19, 2022 by Josh Mahan

Scroll to Top