Optical modules and fiber optic transceivers, both of which are devices for photoelectric conversion, what is the difference between them? Nowadays, many intelligent projects used in long-distance data transmission basically use fiber optic transmission. And the connection between the optical module and fiber optic transceiver to achieve. So, how to connect between the two, what do I need to pay attention to?

1, optical module

The role of the optical module is also the conversion between optical and electrical signals, mainly used for switching and transmission between the device carrier, and the principle of fiber optic transceivers are the same, but the optical module compared to the transceiver is more efficient, safe. Optical modules are classified according to the encapsulation form, the common ones are SFP, SFP+, XFP, SFP28, QSFP+, QSFP28 and so on.

2、Fiber optic transceiver

Fiber optic transceiver is a short-distance electrical signals and long-distance optical signals for conversion of equipment, generally used in long-distance transmission, transmission through the optical fiber, electrical signals into optical signals sent out, at the same time, in the receiving end of the received optical signals into electrical signals. In many places, it is also called an optoelectronic converter (Fiber Converter).

Fiber optic transceivers provide an inexpensive solution for users who need to upgrade their systems from copper to fiber optic and lack the money, manpower or time.

3, the difference between optical modules and fiber optic transceivers

① active and passive: optical module is a functional module, or accessories, can not be used alone passive device, only plugged into the switch and the device with optical module slot to use; and fiber optic transceivers belong to the functional devices, is a separate active device, plug the power supply can be used alone;

② upgrade configuration: optical modules support the system from copper and lack of money or time to upgrade the system, and lack of money or time to provide an inexpensive solution.

③ Price: fiber optic transceiver is cheaper than the optical module, relatively affordable, but also take into account the power adapter, the state of the light, the state of the network cable and other factors, the transmission loss occupies 30%; 

④ Application: Optical modules are mainly used for the optical module, the power supply is plugged into the device alone.

⑤ Application: Optical modules are mainly used for optical network communication equipment, such as convergence switches, core routers, DSLAM, OLT and other equipment, optical interfaces, such as: computer video, data communications, wireless voice communications, such as fiber-optic network backbone; Fiber optic transceivers are used in the Ethernet cable can not be covered, you must use the optical fiber to extend the transmission distance of the actual network environment, and is usually set to be a broadband MAN Access layer applications.

4、Optical module and fiber optic transceiver connections need to pay attention to what matters?

① Optical modules and fiber optic transceivers must be the same rate, 100 megabits even 100 megabits, gigabits even gigabits, 10 megabits even 10 megabits.

② wavelength and transmission distance must be consistent, such as wavelength at the same time for 1310nm or 850nm, the transmission distance is 10km; 

③ fiber type must be the same, a single fiber module and fiber optic transceiver connection matters needing attention?

④ Fiber type must be the same, single fiber to single fiber, dual fiber to dual fiber.

Fiber optic pigtail or pigtail must be the same interface to be able to connect, generally fiber optic transceiver using SC port, optical module using LC port.