Difference Between Multi-mode and Single-mode Fiber Optic Cabling?

Difference Between Multi-mode and Single-mode Fiber Optic Cabling?

Fiber Optic cables are made of thin strands of glass or fiber. The fiber optic cables enable faster data transmission with a low attenuation rate.

The core of the fiber optic cable is surrounded by an optical material called the cladding that traps the light in the core using an optical technique called total internal reflection.

The core and cladding are made of ultra-pure glass. The fiber is coated with a protective plastic covering called the primary buffering coating that protects it from moisture and other damage. The cable is enclosed within an outer covering called a jacket.

Fiber optic cables are available in two types: Single-mode and Multi-mode.

Single-mode fiber optic cable has a small diametral core that allows only one mode of light to propagate. It lowers the attenuation and allows the signals to travel further. This application is typically used for long-distance and higher bandwidth requirements.

Multi-mode fiber optic cable has a large diametral core that allows multiple modes of light to propagate. The number of light reflections created as the light passes through the core increases, creating the ability for more data to pass through at a given time. The high dispersion and attenuation rates of this type of fiber reduce the quality of the signal over long distances.

Single-mode vs Multi-mode fiber optic cable:

The difference between a single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cable mainly lies in fiber core diameter, wavelength and light source, bandwidth, color sheath, distance, and cost.

Core diameter: The core diameter of a single-mode fiber optic cable is much smaller than a multi-mode fiber optic cable. The higher core diameter of multi-mode fiber optic cable enables it to have higher light gathering ability and simplify connections. The attenuation of multi-mode fiber optic cable is higher because of its larger core diameter.

Wavelength and Light source: The large core size requires low-cost light sources such as LEDs that work at wavelengths of 850nm and 1300nm. Single-mode fiber uses laser or laser diodes to produce light injected into the cable. The wavelength supported is between 1310nm and 1550nm.

Bandwidth: Multi-mode fiber optic cable bandwidth is limited while the single-mode fiber optic cable has unlimited bandwidth as it allows only one light mode to pass through at a time.

Color sheath: Single-mode fiber optic cable is covered with a yellow sheath and multi-mode fiber optic cable is covered with a blue sheath.

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Our team of highly skilled engineers can provide you with the right kind of Fiber Optic cable and ensure the proper installation to achieve maximum efficiency.

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