10G SFP+ Optical Transceiver Modules & Prices

Increased prospects for the industry have resulted from the never-ending need for higher capacity and the ongoing upgrading of data centers. However, this does not mean that the advancement of goods that accept lower bandwidth is becoming more restricted. The 10G SFP+ transceiver is a more advanced variant of the SFP transceiver that can transmit data at up to 16 Gbit/s. It supports Fibre Channel 8 Gbit/s, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and the OTU2 Optical Transport Network protocol. The SFP+ optical transceiver, like the 10G, uses LC fiber patch cables and has a duplex LC socket. Different forms of SFP+ transceivers exist, such as SR, LR, ER, and ZR. They must be used with the required fiber patch cable, such as SR for short-distance transmission with a multimode fiber patch cable, and LR, ER, and ZR for comparatively long connections with a single-mode fiber patch cable. There are various single-mode, multi-mode, WDM, and BiDi transceivers available under the 10G SFP+ optical transceivers.

Multi-Mode Transceivers

For short-range transmission, there are two kinds of 10G SFP+ multimode optical transceivers: 10GBASE SR and 10GBASE LRM. They're all small-form-factor pluggable transceivers that can serve as both a receiver and a transmitter for optical signal transmission over multimode fibers.

10G BASE SR

One of the most widely deployed 10GbE systems is the 10GBASE-SR fiber optic transceiver. The SR stands for short-range, and 10GBASE-SR modules can transmit up to 300 meters when used with OM3 multimode fiber (MMF). According to IEEE 802.3ae, the minimum cabling size for these SR modules is 2 meters. 10GBASE-SR transceivers, which are deployed with a VCSEL, are also known as the lowest-cost, lowest-power units. 10GBASE-SRL is the name of the variant form (10GBASE-SR lite).

10G BASE LRM

10GBASE-LRM fiber optic transceivers will accept maximum connection lengths of 220 meters over MMF, i.e. OM3, as a substitute for 10GBASE-LX4 modules. Note that 10GBASE-LRM modules will accommodate maximum connection lengths of 300 meters over single-mode fiber (SMF). LRM modules have a minimum cabling span of 2 meters as well.

Single-Mode Transceivers

For long-range transmission, there are three types of 10G SFP+ single-mode transceivers: 10GBASE-LR, 10GBASE-ER, and 10GBASE-ZR. They're all SFP+ modules that can be hot-swapped and plugged into SFP+ slots on switches.

10G BASE LR

The 10GBASE-LR fiber optic transceiver runs at a nominal wavelength of 1310nm and can cover distances of up to 10 km over single-mode fiber with a minimum cabling gap of 2 meters. In comparison to the SR module, which uses VCSEL, the 10GBASE-LR module uses a distributed feedback laser (DFB). Although DFB lasers are more costly than VCSELs, their higher power and longer wavelength would make for more effective coupling into the narrow core of single-mode fiber over longer distances.

10G BASE ER

The 10GBase-ER transceiver, which works at a nominal wavelength of 1550 nm and supports connection lengths of up to 40 kilometers, is an improved version of the LR modules. The 10GBASE-ER module, unlike the previous modules, uses an externally modulated laser (EML). Because of the laser intensity, the attenuator is needed for links less than 20 kilometers long. Adopting the right attenuators based on the propagation distance is needed to ensure the transceiver's operation. (One kilometer: 10 decibels; ten kilometers: 7 decibels; fifteen kilometers: 6 decibels; twenty kilometers: 5 decibels)

10G BASE ZR

The 10GBASE-ZR transceiver, like ER devices, runs at a nominal wavelength of 1550 nm and uses SMFs, but with a longer propagation path of 80 km. Where the transmitting distance is less than 80 km, it is often mandatory to use the required attenuator (1km: 15dB; 10km: 12dB; 15km: 11dB; 20km: 10dB; 30km: 7dB; 40km: 5dB; 50km: 2dB). About the fact that 10GBase-ZR is not an IEEE standard, several vendors still offer it.

10G SFP+ WDM Transceivers Modules

CWDM and DWDM (C=Coarse; D=Dense) are the two types of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. The 10G CWDM SFP+ transceiver module uses 18 CWDM wavelengths ranging from 1270nm to 1610nm and has a propagation range of 10 km to 80 km. The 10G DWDM SFP+ transceiver works at DWDM wavelengths ranging from CH17 to CH61, with a maximum transmitting distance of 80 kilometers. Big businesses and data centers use 10G SFP+ WDM transceivers because they are scalable and reliable.

10G SFP+ BiDi Transceivers Modules

Unlike conventional fiber optic transceivers, 10G SFP+ BiDi transceivers use WDM technology to send and receive optical signals on different wavelengths over a single fiber. BiDi transceivers are thus classified as a type of WDM transceiver. In order to function properly, the modules must be used in pairs. For different specifications, the connection length ranges from 10 km to 120 km. This cost-effective approach has rapidly become the preferred option in many infrastructures due to its power maximization and use of optical fibers.