STARCONVERT: Convert Multimode to Singlemode

STARCONVERT - Convert Multimode to Singlemode

To begin, let us understand the properties and characteristics of the various fiber optic cables:

Understanding Fiber Optic Cable Types

Multimode Fiber (MMF):

Core diameter: Typically, 50–100 micrometres.
Transfers multiple light modes.
Utilizes lower-cost electronics (LED, VCSEL) operating at 850nm and 1300nm wavelengths.
Ideal for short-distance interconnections (up to 550m), commonly within buildings.
Defined by ISO/IEC 11801, MMF types include OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5, with OM3, OM4, and OM5 being most prevalent today. Older infrastructures may still use OM1 and OM2.

Multimode Fiber Type	Standard date	Modal bandwidth (MHz/km)	Core size (μm)	Jacket colour	Light Source	Typical Application
OM1	1989	200	62.5	Orange	LED	100 MbE
OM2	1998	500	50	Orange	LED	1 GbE
OM3	2003	2000	50	Aqua	VSCEL	10 GbE
OM4	2009	4700	50	Aqua	VSCEL	25/40/100 GbE
OM5	2019	4700@850nm, 2470@953nm	50	Lime Green	VSCEL	40/100 G SWDM4 & 400G-BD4.2

Table 1: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, OM5 MMF Specifications

Multimode Fiber Type	100 MbE	1 GbE	10 GbE	25 GbE	40/100 GbE	40G SWDM4	100G SWDM4	400G-BD4.2
OM1	2000m	275 m	33 m
OM2		550 m	82 m
OM3			300 m	70 m	100 m	240 m	75 m	70 m
OM4			400 m	100 m	150 m	350 m	100 m	100 m
OM5			400 m	100 m	150 m	440 m	150 m	150 m

Table 2: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, OM5 MMF Distances

Singlemode Fiber (SMF):

Core diameter: 8–9 micrometres.
Transfers only one mode of light, resulting in lower attenuation and dispersion.
Uses higher-cost electronics (DML and EML lasers) operating at 1310nm and 1550nm wavelengths.
Suitable for long-distance interconnections (up to 100km or more with optical amplifiers).

Can You Connect a Singlemode Laser Over Multimode Fiber?

Traditionally, transmitting a singlemode laser over MMF was not feasible due to higher modal dispersion in MMF, which limits information transmission capacity.

One of the ways to overcome this connectivity is to use a mode conditioning patch cable.

Figure: Mode Conditioning Cable

The mode conditioning patch cables are duplex multimode fiber patch cords that consist of a singlemode fiber fused to a multimode fiber. The fused Singlemode fiber is connected to the Singlemode Transmit (TX) of the equipment. When transmitted across the mode conditioning patch cable, the singlemode laser is offset at a specific angle to eliminate the multiple signals caused by Differential Mode Delay (DMD) effects.
The disadvantages of using the mode conditioning patch cables are:

Required to work in a pair
Limited data rates of 1Gbps to 10Gbps
Support only singlemode laser 1310nm bandwidth

Introducing STARCONVERT

Convert Your MMF Infrastructure Easily

Advanced Technology

Simple Integration

Immediate Upgrade

STARCONVERT by Starview Technologies is an innovative solution that enables Singlemode transmission over Multimode Fiber (MMF) infrastructure. This plug-and-play device boosts network performance and capacity without the need for costly cabling replacements, making it an ideal choice for data centers, building interconnections, and high-speed networking.

How Does STARCONVERT Work?

Utilizing cutting-edge technology, STARCONVERT focuses singlemode laser light over MMF, allowing high-speed transmission without the limitations of traditional MMF. It upgrades any MMF type (62.5um/125um or 50um/125um) within your fiber optic infrastructure, delivering immediate results with no configuration nor training required. STARCONVERT is a plug-and-play, passive device, compatible with any transmission protocol.

STARCONVERT and Mode Conditioning Cable are different!

While there are limitations of a mode conditioning patch cable supporting singlemode data rates transmitting at 1310nm of 1Gbps to 10Gbps bandwidth; STARCONVERT is not restricted to these limitations. STARCONVERT allows more flexibility to connect your Singlemode devices to transmit across the Multimode fiber. Light within the wavelengths of 1250nm to 1600nm are concentrated at the singlemode input, and directed with optimal transmission across the MMF. Depending on the STARCONVERT module used, the speed of the transmission per wavelength can achieve up to 400Gbps across MMF!

Product Variants:

STARCONVERT-100G

Converts TX multimode fiber into single-mode of data rate from 1G to 100Gbps, distance up to 550m

SV-CONVERT-100G	Specs
Bandwidth	1Gbps to 100 Gbps
Application	Single device
Type of fiber	Any type of multimode fiber: 62.5/125 µm (OM1) or 50/125 µm (OM2/OM3/OM4/OM5)
Protocol and network	Transparent
Insertion loss	<2dB
Distance	Up to 550m
Wavelength	1250nm – 1600nm

STARCONVERT-400G

Converts 1 pair (TX + RX) multimode fiber into 1 pair (TX + RX) single-mode of data rate from 1G to 400Gbps, distance up to 750m

SV-STARCONVERT-400G	Specs
Bandwidth	1Gbps to 400 Gbps
Application	Single device, CWDM or DWDM
Type of fiber	Any type of multimode fiber: 62.5/125 µm (OM1) or 50/125 µm (OM2/OM3/OM4/OM5)
Protocol and network	Transparent
Insertion loss per link	<2.5dB
Distance	Up to 750m*
Wavelength	1250nm – 1600nm

* Specifications may be affected by multimode fiber type and no of connections in between. Contact sales@starviewtech.net for your configurations.

Both variants come pre-assembled in a 19” rack-mountable chassis, with the option to include up to 12 STARCONVERT modules, resembling a standard patch panel.

Where Can You Use STARCONVERT?

STARCONVERT is versatile and can be deployed in various scenarios:

Building Interconnections:
Ideal for converting existing MMF into Singlemode transmission for any data rates between 1Gbps to 100Gbps

Building Interconnections (STARCONVERT-100G)

Wavelength Division Multiplexing Infrastructure:
Upgrade your infrastructure with CWDM/ DWDM to maximise the capacity of the MMF infrastructure

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Networks (STARCONVERT-400G)

High-Speed Networking:
Suitable for enhancing Singlemode interfaces of 100G/400G networking equipment via MMF infrastructure.

MPO Infrastructure (STARCONVERT-400G)