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Fiber optic cables are being widely used in almost every communication network around the world. Small scale networks such as a small office or branch office also make use of fiber optic cables for higher bandwidth connections. Telecommunication networks which span over hundreds of kilometers are also dependent on fiber optic cables for reliable and efficient communications.
Fiber optic cables are available in two categories:
- Single-Mode
- Multi-Mode
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using the multi-mode fiber optic cables in a network. Multi-mode fiber optic cables has the below mentioned benefits over single-mode fiber optic cables.
- Cost
Although Multi-mode fiber optic cables are expensive than the single-mode fiber optic cables, but the overall cost of the fiber optic solution is lower for multi-mode systems. The reason behind the lower overall cost is that the multi-mode fiber optic cables use LEDs as light source for transmission whereas single-mode fiber optic cables use lasers which are very expensive. Due to this fact, the transceivers used with multi-mode fiber optic cables are less expensive and contribute to an overall lower cost of implementation.
- Operations & Maintenance
Multi-mode fiber optic networks are easier to operate and maintain. As multiple wavelengths are transmitted over a multi-mode fiber, the losses of the system are lower and data is safely transmitted regardless of the number of bends and their radius. Another factor, which can be counted as a benefit for multi-mode fiber optic cables is that it is used in smaller networks, typically within a building, this makes multi-mode fiber optic networks easier to troubleshoot and reduces the resolution times in case of a malfunctioning.
- Bandwidth
The primary use of multi-mode fiber optic networks is in a branch office, the bandwidth requirements of these type of offices typically reside in the range of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Multi-mode fiber optic cables are supportive of bandwidths up to 10 Gbps. Higher bandwidths are not supported on multi-mode fiber optic cables but these cables are not used in such applications either.
