OM1 OM2 OM3 OM4 COMPARISON
OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 refer to types of multimode fiber optic cables designed for different performance levels, particularly in terms of data transmission speed and distance. These cables are categorized based on their core diameter, modal bandwidth, and the maximum data rate they can support over specific distances. Here's a comparison of OM1, OM2, OM3, and OM4 fiber cables:
1. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 Core Size
OM1: 62.5 µm core diameter.
OM2: 50 µm core diameter.
OM3: 50 µm core diameter.
OM4: 50 µm core diameter.
While OM1 has a larger core diameter, OM2, OM3, and OM4 all use the same core size of 50 µm, making them more suited for higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances.
2. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 Modal Bandwidth
The modal bandwidth determines how much data the fiber can transmit over a specific distance at a given frequency. It is measured in MHz·km.
OM1: 200 MHz·km @ 850 nm.
OM2: 500 MHz·km @ 850 nm.
OM3: 2000 MHz·km @ 850 nm.
OM4: 4700 MHz·km @ 850 nm.
OM4 offers the highest modal bandwidth, followed by OM3, OM2, and then OM1, which has the lowest.
3. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 Distance and Data Rate Capabilities
The maximum distance a fiber can support depends on the data transmission rate:
OM1:
10 Mbps to 1 Gbps over 300 meters at 850 nm.
10 Gbps over 33 meters at 850 nm.
OM2:
10 Mbps to 1 Gbps over 600 meters at 850 nm.
10 Gbps over 82 meters at 850 nm.
OM3:
10 Gbps over 300 meters at 850 nm.
40 Gbps and 100 Gbps over 100 meters at 850 nm.
OM4:
10 Gbps over 550 meters at 850 nm.
40 Gbps and 100 Gbps over 150 meters at 850 nm.
OM3 and OM4 are specifically optimized for high-speed applications like 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps Ethernet. OM4 allows for longer distances at these higher speeds compared to OM3.
4. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 Color Coding
Each type of fiber is distinguished by a different jacket color:
OM1: Orange jacket.
OM2: Orange jacket.
OM3: Aqua jacket.
OM4: Aqua (sometimes magenta) jacket.
5. Cost Differences
OM1: Generally the least expensive.
OM2: Slightly more expensive than OM1.
OM3: More expensive than OM2 due to higher performance.
OM4: The most expensive, offering the highest performance in terms of bandwidth and distance.
6. OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 Applications
OM1 and OM2: Suitable for legacy networks and lower data rate applications, such as Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) or Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) in short distances.
OM3 and OM4: Designed for high-speed data centers, enterprise networks, and applications requiring 10 Gbps Ethernet and above. OM4 is particularly suited for next-generation networks demanding 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps data rates.
OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 Comparison Table:
Type | Core Size | Modal Bandwidth (850 nm) | Max Distance for 10 Gbps | Max Distance for 40/100 Gbps | Color | Common Use |
OM1 | 62.5 µm | 200 MHz.km | 33 meters | Not supported | Orange | Legacy networks, lower speeds |
OM2 | 50 µm | 500 MHz.km | 82 meters | Not supported | Orange | Short-range Gigabit Ethernet |
OM3 | 50 µm | 2000 MHz.km | 300 meters | 100 meters | Aqua | 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps Ethernet |
OM4 | 50 µm | 4700 MHz.km | 550 meters | 150 meters | Aqua/Magenta | High-performance data centers |
OM1 and OM2 are older multimode fibers used in lower-speed applications and shorter distances.
OM3 and OM4 are optimized for high-speed data transmission, supporting longer distances for 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps applications.
OM4 offers the highest performance in terms of modal bandwidth and distance.
For most modern data center applications, OM3 and OM4 are the preferred choices due to their ability to handle high data rates over longer distances.
Comments