Introduction to OM4 Fiber Patch Cords

Nowadays, with the rapid development of multimedia, there is requirement for growing broader bandwidth for audio and video applications. Multi-mode fiber optic patch cords are used to connect high speed and legacy networks like 10/40/100 gigabit Ethernet, fast Ethernet and Ethernet. OM4 fiber patch cord is one of those commonly used fiber optic patch cords designed to meet this increasing requirement. It is terminated with standard connectors which give optimum optical performance.

Definition of OM4 Fiber Patch Cords

OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cord is a 50µm laser-optimized multi-mode fiber patch cable with extended bandwidth. It is used in networks where an overwhelming or extreme amount of data needs to be transferred. OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cords can also enhance the system cost benefits enabled by 850nm vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) for existing 1 and 10 Gb/s applications as well as 40 and 100 Gb/s systems. They are typically used in 10 Gigabit Ethernet. They can be regarded as improvement on the existed OM3 standards.

Types of OM4 Fiber Patch Cords

OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cords can be categorized into different types based on several different standards. The following are two standards, types of connectors and fiber cable structures.

According to the types of connectors, OM4 fiber patch cords can be divided into many different categories. There are many different kinds of connectors, like FC, LC, SC and ST. Connector types on both ends of the OM4 fiber patch cable can be the same. For example, an OM4 fiber patch cable with a LC connector on each end is known as LC-LC OM4 fiber patch cord. Connector types on both ends of the OM4 fiber patch cable can also be different. For example, an OM4 fiber patch cable with a LC connector on one end and a SC connector on the other end is known as LC to SC patch cable.

And according to fiber cable structures, OM4 multi-mode patch cords can be divided into simplex and duplex.A simplex OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cord has only one single strand of glass or plastic fiber in it. It is often used where only a single transmit or receive line is required between devices. A duplex OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cord consists of two strands of glass or plastic fiber which are typically found in a tight-buffered and jacketed "zipcord" construction format. It is most often used for duplex communication between devices where a simultaneous and separate transmit and receive are required. The following picture is a duplex OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cord.

Applications of OM4 Fiber Patch Cords

OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cords can connect high speed and legacy networks including Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Ethernet. OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cords also support Fiber Channel and OIF applications, allowing extended reach upwards of 550m at 10 Gb/s for ultra long building backbones and medium length campus backbones.

Besides, OM4 fiber patch cords support video, data and voice services in data centers and premises cabling in data networks including backbone, riser and horizontal. With an effective modal bandwidth (EMB) of 4700 MHz/km, OM4 fiber patch cords are also especially well suitable for shorter reach data center and high performance computing applications. OM4 fiber patch cables effectively provide a minimum reach of 125m over multi-mode fiber within the 40 and 100 gigabit Ethernet standards.

Fiberstore provides the broadest choice of OM4 multi-mode fiber patch cords to the industry including ST, SC, FC, LC, MTRJ, E2000. We also have simplex and duplex OM4 fiber patch cords. Our OM4 fiber patch cable has armored and non-armored options. OM4 50/125 optical fiber patch cord in Fiberstore has high environmental reliability test and is designed to meet the IEC standards, GR-326-CORE, in the test of optical characteristics, vibration test, thermal cycling, impact resistance, salt spray erosion, thermal aging, humidity resistance and others. We make reliable and top quality OM4 fiber patch cords at an affordable price.

Originally published at http://www.fiber-patch-cords.com/blog.html