gbics SFP Modules for Gigabit Ethernet Applications

Product overview

The industry-standard gbics Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) Gigabit Interface Converter links your switches and routers to the network. The hot-swappable input/output device plugs into a Gigabit Ethernet port or slot. Optical and copper models can be used on a wide variety of multiple vendors products and intermixed in combinations of 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-EX, 1000BASE-ZX, or 1000BASE-BX10-D/U on a port-by-port basis.

Features and benefits

• Hot swappable to maximize uptime and simplify serviceability

• Supports Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) capability

• Conformity to the Multisource Agreement (MSA)

• UKAS lab tested to certify EU laser safety directive conformity

• Can be ordered as gbics OEM or as a compatible option of over 100 vendors

Form factor overview

1000BASE-T SFP for copper networks

The 1000BASE-T SFP operates on standard Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair copper cabling of link lengths up to 100 m (328 ft). gbics 1000BASE-T SFP modules support fixed 1000BASE-T as well as 10/100/1000 auto negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX.

1000BASE-SX SFP for multimode fibre

The 1000BASE-SX SFP, compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-SX standard, operates on legacy 50 μm multimode fibre links up to 550 m and on 62.5 μm Fibre Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fibres up to 220 m. It can support up to 1km over laser-optimized 50 μm multimode fibre cable.

1000BASE-LX/LH SFP for both multimode and single-mode fibres

The 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP, compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard, operates on standard single-mode fibre-optic link spans of up to 10 km and up to 550 m on any multimode fibres. When used over legacy multimode fibre type, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cable.

1000BASE-EX SFP for long-reach single-mode fibres

The 1000BASE-EX SFP operates on standard single-mode fibre-optic link spans of up to 40 km in length. A 5-dB inline optical attenuator should be inserted between the fibre-optic cable and the receiving port on the SFP at each end of the link for back-to-back connectivity.

1000BASE-ZX SFP for long-reach single-mode fibres

The 1000BASE-ZX SFP operates on standard single-mode fibre-optic link spans of up to approximately 70 km in length. The SFP provides an optical link budget of 21 dB, but the precise link span length depends on multiple factors such as fibre quality, number of splices, and connectors.

When shorter distances of Single-Mode Fibre (SMF) are used, it might be necessary to insert an inline optical attenuator in the link to avoid overloading the receiver. A 10-dB inline optical attenuator should be inserted between the fibre-optic cable plant and the receiving port on the SFP at each end of the link whenever the fibre-optic cable span loss is less than 8 dB.

1000BASE-BX10-D and 1000BASE-BX10-U SFP for single-fibre bidirectional applications

The 1000BASE-BX-D and 1000BASE-BX-U SFPs, compatible with the IEEE 802.3ah 1000BASE-BX10-D and 1000BASE-BX10-U standards, operate on a single strand of standard SMF.

A 1000BASE-BX10-D device is always connected to a 1000BASE-BX10-U device with a single strand of standard SMF with an operating transmission range up to 10 km. The communication over a single strand of fibre is achieved by separating the transmission wavelength of the two devices as depicted in Figure 1: 1000BASE-BX10-D transmits a 1490-nm channel and receives a 1310-nm signal, whereas 1000BASE-BX10-U transmits at a 1310-nm wavelength and receives a 1490-nm signal. As shown, the presence of a Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM) splitter integrated into the SFP to split the 1310-nm and 1490-nm light paths.

The gbics BX10 SFPs also support Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) functions according to the industry-standard SFF-8472 multisource agreement (MSA). This feature gives the end user the ability to monitor real-time parameters of the SFP, such as optical output power, optical input power, temperature, laser bias current, and transceiver supply voltage.

The gbics BX10-I are the Industrial temperature rated (IND) counterparts of BX10 SFPS. This allows link operation in harsh environmental conditions where the module case temperature can be in the range -40°C to 85°C.

Product specifications

Cabling and connectors

Connectors include the following:

● Dual LC/PC connector (1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-EX and 1000BASE-ZX)

● Single LC/PC connector (1000BASE-BX-D and 1000BASE-BX-U)

● RJ-45 connector (1000BASE-T)

Note: Only connections with patch cords with PC or UPC connectors are supported. Patch cords with APC connectors are not supported. All cables and cable assemblies used must be compliant with the standards specified in the standards section.

Table 1 provides cabling specifications for the SFPs that you install in the Gigabit Ethernet port. Note that all SFP ports have LC-type connectors, and the minimum cable distance for all SFPs listed (multimode and single-mode fibre) is 6.5 feet (2 m).

Table 1. SFP Port cabling specifications

* A mode-conditioning patch cord, as specified by the IEEE standard, is required regardless of the span length. Note how the mode conditioning patch cord for 62.5-μm fibres has a different specification from the mode-conditioning patch cord for 50-μm fibres.

** ITU-T G.652 SMF as specified by the IEEE 802.3z standard.

*** Specified at transmission wavelength.

 Optical specifications

 Table 2 specifies the optical parameters for the SFPs. Both receiver power and channel insertion loss specifications must be met for guaranteed operation.

 Table 2. Main optical parameters

* Maximum channel insertion loss is defined for maximum distance guaranteed as specified in Table 1 and by fibre type. When links are deployed over shorter distances, additional channel insertion loss may be allowed. 

Dimensions

Dimensions (H x W x D): 8.5 x 13.4 x 56.5 mm. Cisco SFPs typically weigh 75 grams or less.

Environmental conditions and power requirements

Operating temperature range:

●     Commercial temperature range (COM): 0 to 70°C (32 to 158°F)

●     Extended temperature range (EXT): -5°C to 85°C (23 to 185°F)

●     Industrial temperature range (IND): -40 to 85°C (-40 to 185°F)

●     Storage temperature range: -40 to 85°C (-40 to 185°F)

gbics SFP modules typically consume up to 1W per SFP port.

Table 3 lists temperature range and DOM support information for the SFPs.

Table 3. Temperature range and DOM support

Ordering information

To place an order, refer to Table 4 and contact the sales team on +44 (0) 1285 886444 or email sales@gbics.com

Our product range is constantly evolving. Please contact the team if you cannot find the part you are looking for.

Table 4. Ordering information

Warranty

gbics operates an Advanced Replacement, Limited Lifetime Warranty. For further details please contact the sales team on +44 (0) 1285 886444 or email sales@gbics.com

 Regulatory and standards compliance

 Safety:

●     Laser Class I 21CFR1040 LN#50 7/2001

●     Laser Class I IEC 60825-1

Standards:

●     IEEE 802.3z

●     IEEE 802.3ah

●     GR-20-CORE: Generic Requirements for Optical Fibre and Optical Fibre Cable

●     GR-326-CORE: Generic Requirements for Single-Mode Optical Connectors and Jumper Assemblies

●     GR-1435-CORE: Generic Requirements for Multifibre Optical Connectors

Next steps

Contact the sales team at gbics to learn more about the gbics product range and how the people at gbics Connect can help with your project.