Introduction of Gigabit Ethernet SFP Transceiver
The small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for both telecommunication and data communications applications. Gigabit Ethernet SFP interfaces network devices, such as switch, router, media converter or similar device, to fiber optic or copper networking cable. The SFP is also called Mini-GBIC due to the fact that SFP obsolesces the formerly ubiquitous gigabit interface converter with its small size.
Gigabit Ethernet Standards
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE or 1 GigE), defined by the IEEE 802.3-2008 standard, is a term describing various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second (1million bits per second). There are a variety of Gigabit Ethernet Standards. A table is listed below to offer you a visual impression of the standards of Gigabit Ethernet.
| Name | Medium | Specified distance |
| 1000BASE-CX | Shielded balanced copper cable | 25 meters |
| 1000BASE-KX | Copper backplane | 1 meter |
| 1000BASE-SX | Multi-mode fiber | 220 to 550 meters dependent on fiber diameter and bandwidth |
| 1000BASE-LX | Multi-mode fiber | 550 meters |
| 1000BASE-LX | Single-mode fiber | 5 km |
| 1000BASE-LX10 | Single-mode fiber using 1,310 nm wavelength | 10 km |
| 1000BASE-EX | Single-mode fiber at 1,310 nm wavelength | ~ 40 km |
| 1000BASE-ZX | Single-mode fiber at 1,550 nm wavelength | ~ 70 km |
| 1000BASE-BX10 | Single-mode fiber, over single-strand fiber: 1,490 nm downstream 1,310 nm upstream | 10 km |
| 1000BASE-T | Twisted-pair cabling (Cat-5, Cat-5e, Cat-6, Cat-7) | 100 meters |
| 1000BASE-TX | Twisted-pair cabling (Cat-6, Cat-7) | 100 meters |
Types of for Gigabit Ethernet SFP Transceiver
SFP transceiver complaint with the Gigabit Ethernet standards can be classified into 1000BASE-T SFP, 1000BASE-LH SFP, 1000BASE-SX SFP, 1000BASE-CX SFP, 1000BASE-ZX SFP, etc. Next I will provide a brief introduction of the three most common SFP transceivers for Gigabit Ethernet—1000BASE-T SFP, 1000BASE-SX SFP, 1000BASE-LH SFP.
1000BASE-T SFP
1000BASE-T SFP, compliant with IEEE 802.3 1000BASE-T standard, operates on standard Category 5 with a maximum length of 100 m (328 ft) and supports 10/100/1000 autonegotiation and auto MDI/MDIX. It is cost-effective and easily maintained, which is commonly applied in the LAN.
1000BASE LX SFP
The 1000BASE-LX SFP, compatible with the IEEE 802.3 1000BASE-LX standard, is the only kind of Gigabit Ethernet SFP transceiver that can both operate on single-mode and multimode fiber. The transmission distance of 1000BASE LX SFP on singel-mode fiber is up to 10km, while on multimode fiber is 550 m. It supports dual data rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps. With a metal housing, it can effectively reduce Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) and increase durability.
1000BASE-SX SFP
1000BASE-SX SFP is compatible with 1000BASE-SX standards. The medium of 1000BASE-SX SFP is multimode fiber. Its operating wavelength is from770nm to 860nm. This kind of SFP is used to connect devices both in the same cabinet and in different physical locations up to 1km (3,280 ft) in distance, which is widely used in a large building, co-location facilities and carrier neutral internet exchanges.
SFP transceiver is widely used to support communication standards including synchronous optical networking (SONET)/synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), gigabit ethernet and fiber channel. From this text, we have acquired some information about Gigabit Ethernet SFP. Fiberstore manufactures and supplies a complete range of SFP transceiver which can be customized. We can satisfy all your needs.
