100g optical cable type

100G optical cables use either single-mode or multimode fiber with connectors like LC or MPO, supporting distances from meters to tens of kilometers depending on fiber type and transceiver.

Fiber Types

Single-mode fiber (SMF) has a small core diameter (~9 microns) and transmits light in a single path, minimizing modal dispersion. This makes SMF ideal for long-distance applications, such as telecommunications or intercontinental networks, supporting 100G links up to 10 km or more depending on the transceiver type . Multimode fiber (MMF) has larger core diameters (50–62.5 microns) and transmits multiple light modes simultaneously. MMF is typically used for shorter distances, such as within data centers, with link lengths ranging from 20 m to 100 m depending on the fiber grade (OM3 or OM4) and transceiver . MMF is generally less expensive for short-reach applications but suffers from higher modal dispersion over longer distances.

Connector Types

Common 100G optical connectors include:

• LC (Lucent Connector): Small form factor, widely used for duplex single-mode or multimode connections .
• MPO/MTP (Multi-fiber Push-On): Combines 12–24 fibers in a single connector, commonly used for parallel optics in 100GBASE-SR4 or SR10 links .
• SC, ST, FC: Less common in modern 100G deployments but still supported in some legacy systems . Connector choice affects polarity, ease of installation, and compatibility with transceivers.

100G Transceiver Compatibility

100G optical cables are paired with transceivers such as QSFP28, QSFP-100G, CFP, CFP2, or SFP-DD, which determine the lane architecture and modulation scheme (NRZ or PAM4) for the link . For example:

• QSFP-100G-SR4: Uses 12-fiber MPO connectors over MMF, supporting 70 m on OM3 and 100 m on OM4 .
• 100GBASE-LR4: Uses duplex SMF with LC connectors, supporting up to 10 km .
• 100GBASE-DR: Duplex SMF, short-reach 500 m .

Summary

• Short-reach (data center): Multimode fiber (OM3/OM4) with MPO connectors, 20–100 m.
• Medium to long-reach: Single-mode fiber with LC duplex connectors, 500 m to 10 km or more.
• Transceiver choice: Determines fiber type, connector, and maximum distance.
• Modulation: NRZ or PAM4 affects lane count and fiber efficiency. Choosing the right 100G optical cable involves matching fiber type, connector, and transceiver to the required distance and network architecture to ensure reliable high-speed connectivity .