A Tutorial on Fiber Media Converters:

Fiber optic media converter significantly increases the transmission distance and bandwidth of the LAN (Local Area Network) by accepting the integration of new equipment and fiber into the current cabling infrastructure. We have fiber media converter to control the distance limitations and bandwidth of typical network cable, and it is also a low-priced solution. This writing will analyze the fiber optic media converter for better recognition.

How to Define Fiber Media Converters:

We can define fiber media converter as transfer media to connect two different media types. Typically, we can call it a device that changes the electrical signal we use in copper UTP (unshielded twisted-paired) networking cabling. We call this type of fiber optic media converter the copper-to-fiber converter, which provides an easy way to establish fiber within LAN without removing the current copper cabling or modifying copper switches. Moreover, we have another type of media converter which helps fiber-to-fiber changing, which provides links between single-fiber and dual-fiber or between SMF and MMF. Fiber-to-fiber media converter also offers a low-priced clarification for wavelength transformation within WDM applications, known as transponders.

Fiber Media Converter Types:

We have various types of media converters present in the marketplace. We can classify fiber optic media converters into different kinds.
A comparison between managed and unmanaged media converters:
The managed media converter possesses the tasks of fault detection, remote management, and networking monitoring. It supports the network manager in monitoring and managing the network efficiently. On the other hand, an unmanaged media converter enables accessible communication with different devices and doesn't possess the management and monitoring tasks that managed media converter has.
Platform: A comparison between stand-alone and chassis-based media converters:
Regarding platform type, we can divide the media converters into stand-alone fiber optic media converters and chassis-based media converters. We have designed the stand-alone media converters to use where we can quickly implement only one or a small number of converters. On the other hand, we use chassis-based media converters in excessive-density implementations, and different fiber or copper integration points are significant.
Fiber-to fiber media converters VS copper-to-fiber media converters:
Regarding media types, we can classify media converters into fiber-to-fiber and copper-to-fiber converters.

Copper-to-fiber media converters:

Copper-to-fiber media converter is significant in merging fiber within the copper infrastructure. Regarding different applications, we can further divide copper-to-fiber converters into serial-to-fiber converters, video-to-fiber converters, and Ethernet copper-to-fiber converters.

Ethernet copper-to-fiber converters:

These fiber optic media converters support the standard IEEE802.3 and provide connectivity for fast Ethernet, Ethernet, 10 Gigabit, and Gigabit Ethernet devices. PoE optical media converters, small media converters, SFP to RJ45 optical media converters, and SC to RJ45 optical media converters all come in this type.

●    The PoE media converter can transparently link copper-to-fiber by providing PoE (Power over Ethernet) to standard PoE adaptable devices like VoIP, phones, IP cameras, and access points.
●    Mini optical media converters are of miniature size copper-to-fiber converters. It is perfect for bringing the fiber for mobile apps and on the desktop, where we require lightweight, low power, and compact size.
●    SFP to RJ45 fiber media converters come with pluggable and RJ45 optical ports, which enable flexible network configuration utilizing SFP transceivers.
●    SC to RJ45 fiber media converters come with SC and RJ45 ports, which we have designed to use fiber optic wire pre-terminated with connector SC-type.
●    The industrial media converter is a robust and compact device, which we have designed to change Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet networks into Ethernet optical fiber and Gigabit networks.

Video copper-to-fiber converters:

We use the video copper-to-fiber optical media converters to receive and transmit signals like audio, video, Ethernet, and data. We also call them optical fiber multiplexers. An optical fiber multiplexer practices even more than two light signals via a single fiber (as we have manifested in the picture below), increasing the information we can carry via a network. If signs are digital or analog, we can further divide video copper-to-fiber into converters transferring digital signals. While the name relates, converters conveying analog signals provide frequency or amplitude modulations of the electrical signals and later change them into fiber optic signals. There will also be demodulation on the receiving point. Converters transfer digital signals multiplex and digitize the audio, video, and data signs, transforming different limited-speed digital gestures into one excessive-speed motion. This excessive-speed signal turns into a fiber optic signal transferring on an optical fiber.
We have three video copper-to-fiber converters for different applications, which we commonly use: PDH  multiplexers, SDH multiplexers, and SPDH multiplexers. Utilizing the PDH fiber optic transmission technics, the PDH multiplexer is an E1 point-to-point fiber optic transport equipment. Moreover, the general communication capability of these types of multiplexers is 8E1, 4E1, and 16E1. We have designed the SDH multiplexers, which possess an extensive communication capability to enable end-to-end equipping and regulation of services over all sections of the fiber-optic network. SPHD multiplexer adopts both SDH and PDH technology. We can indicate it as a PDH communication system. Its base is upon the PDH encode speed adjustment rule simultaneously, used in the best possible sections of SDH networking technology.

Serial-to-fiber media converters:

These media converters enable fiber optic extension of serial communication copper links. They accept serial data upon one port within RS485, RS232, or another setup and change the serial interface data stream to an optical fiber signal with some matching unit to the fiber span's other side.

Fiber-to-fiber media converters:

WDM transponder (OEO) and mode converter are two significant kinds of the fiber-to-fiber media converter
. We use the fiber-to-fiber media converter to increase network range by enabling connectivity between single-mode and multimode fiber, single-fiber and dual-fiber, and multiple "power" optical fiber sources. Moreover, it also supports changes in different wavelengths.

Mode converter:

We can use a mode converter to enable an adiabatic conversion between two fiber optic modes. Besides cross-connecting multiple fiber types, a mode converter can re-generate fiber optic signals, increasing transmission range and double optical fiber cable utilization. We usually apply it in MMF to SMF conversion.

Optical WDM transponder (OEO):

When we use fiber media converters within a WDM system, we call it optical WDM transponder (OEO), which changes the coming signal from the client device or the end to a Wavelength Division Multiplexing. We often use the WDM transponders for dual-to-single optical fiber and wavelength transformations.
The network can require transformation between single and dual-fiber, depending upon the fiber and the kind of equipment we install. The figure below manifests the WDM transponder's function in the optical fiber network.

WDM transponders have the ability of wavelength transformation by utilizing SMF optical transceivers that transfer multiple wavelengths (1550 nanometers, 1310 nanometers, and 850 nanometers) to fiber optic wavelengths, which we have specified for Wavelength Division Multiplexing networks.

Points to Consider While Selecting A Suitable Fiber Media Converter:

A suitable media converter can provide a low-priced solution for increasing Ethernet communication while reducing labor and cable cost. While choosing a fiber media converter for your system, you should think about the points we have given here:
●    The media converter's chip shall operate in both half-duplex and full-duplex systems. Because some HUB and N-Way switches can utilize the half-duplex operations, data loss and severe collision can occur if the media converter supports full-duplex mode operation.
●    We should take the connection test between different fiber optic splices and fiber optic media converter. Otherwise, unstable transmission and data loss can happen due to incompatibility between multiple fiber optic media converters.
●    We require the temperature measurement to confirm the media converter's proper operation. Because the media converter cannot work appropriately within high-temperature conditions, it is essential to understand its operating temperature exactly.
●    We should equip the security device guarding in opposition to data loss within fiber optic media converter.
●    The media converter has to meet the standards of IEEE802.3. If not, we may have the possibility of incompatibility.

Fiber Media Converter’s Solution of GBIC:

Our fiber media converters series support different data transmission protocols incorporating Ethernet, RS232, RS422, RS485, PDH E1, and cabling types like single-mode, twisted pair, and multimode optical fibers.