No, single mode fiber is designed to work with single mode SFP modules, while multimode fiber is designed to work with multimode SFP modules. Using a single mode fiber with a multimode SFP module or vice versa can lead to compatibility issues and may not work properly. It is important to ensure that the fiber type and SFP module type are compatible for proper operation.

What are Single Mode SFP & Multimode SFP?

Singlemode SFP

Singlemode fiber has much tighter tolerances for optics used. The core is smaller and the laser wavelength is narrower. This means that SMF has the capability to carry a higher bandwidth at much longer transmission distances. Singlemode SFPs work mainly in the 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths and is mostly used in a long distances transmission environment reaching 2km, 10km, 40km, 60km, 80km and 120km.

Multi-mode SFP

Multi-mode fiber uses a much bigger core and usually uses a longer wavelength of light. Because of this, the optics used in Multi-mode have a higher capability to gather light from the laser. In practical terms, this means the optics are cheaper. The common Multi-mode SFPs work in 850nm wavelength and is only used for short distance transmission reaching 100m and 500m. Though it’s not able to transport for long distance, it can transport many kinds of optical signals.

Single Mode SFP vs Multimode SFP: What’s the Difference?

There are several main differences between single mode SFP and multimode SFP:

Single Mode SFP vs Multimode SFP: Working Wavelength

The single mode SFP module has a narrower laser wavelength, which works mainly in 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths. Whereas the multimode SFP module works in 850nm wavelength due to the larger core size.

Single Mode SFP vs Multimode SFP: Color Coding

The color-coded bale clasp and color arrow of single-mode SFP modules are generally designed in blue, yellow or purple. Blue is the 1310nm module, yellow is the 1550nm module and purple is the 1490nm module. And the color of the compatible fiber optic patch cord is yellow. While the color-coded bale clasp and color arrow on the label of multimode SFP modules are black and the used fiber optic patch cord is usually orange.

Single Mode SFP vs Multimode SFP: Transmitter

Single mode SFP and multimode SFP use different types of transmitters.

They can be tested on the wafer level and don’t need a hermetic package. They have complex layer structures and often require a hermetic package to achieve higher emission power and stable single mode operation. Therefore, Edge-emitting lasers are more costly than VCSELs.

Single Mode SFP vs Multimode SFP: Cost

When comparing single mode SFP vs multimode SFP in terms of cost, single mode SFP is more expensive than multimode SFP. The cost difference between single mode SFP and multimode SFP mainly arises from the different transmitters they use. As mentioned above, the transmitter of single mode SFP is more costly than that of multimode SFP. Hence, the multimode SFP module is cheaper.