Transceivers Operating Temperature

Posted byVijay Gupta15/05/20200 Comment(s)

Fiber Optic Transceiver also was known as Fiber Optical Transceiver, Optical Module, Optics Module etc. It is a single, packaged device that uses fiber optic technology to transmit and receive data. ‘Transceiver’ is a combination of two words, transmitter’ and ‘receiver’. In other words, the fiber optic transceiver comprising both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. It is an important part of optical network equipment that has electronic components to condition and encodes/decode data into light pulses and then sends them to the other end as electrical signals. To send data as light, it makes use of a light source, such as VSCEL, FP and DFB laser, which is controlled by the electronic parts, and to receive light pulses, such as Pin, APD, it makes use of a photodiode semiconductor.

Transceiver module temperature has an important effect on the function of communication system. If the temperature of transceiver module is over its given range, it will cause transmission delays, drastically reduced output and network partitions.

When the applied environment temperature of the module is changed, then the working current will change as the temperature changes. At the same time, it will lead to changes in the parameters of the optical transceiver.

The transceiver module temperature determines the available temperature of transceiver modules. According to different types and brands, transceiver modules may have different temperature ranges. For example, the temperature range of optical transceiver is larger than copper module, and the temperature range of SFP module is smaller than SFP+ module such as 1000BASE-SX SFP is from 0 to 70°C while 10Gbase-SR is from -40°C to 85°C.

The transceiver module temperature mainly includes three levels:

Commercial temperature range (COM: 0~70°C)

Extended temperature range (EXT: -20°C~85°C)

Industrial temperature range (IND: -40°C~85°C)

 

Maintain suitable transceiver temperature:

Each transceiver module has its operating temperature range. If the temperature is too high or too low, the transceiver module will not work normally. If the operating temperature is too high, its optical power will become larger and the receiving signal will be incorrect, which leads to the disordered operation of the transceiver module. Or even worse, the transceiver module would be burned. Facing this problem, you can add a temperature control system for real-time monitoring and compensation. It can ensure the transceiver module extinction ratio and stable luminous power, which helps the optical system work normally. If the operating temperature is too low, the function of the transceiver module also will be unstable. Usually, the temperature of the transceiver module will not be too low if the transceiver is not put in the environment with a temperature below 0°C.

 

Reasons of change in Temperature:

  • Poor Quality:

Modules with low-quality materials and a poor built-in design will show more sensitivity towards temperature deviations, resulting in poor heat dissipation. The abnormal temperature of the transceiver will happen frequently. As a result, the unstable operation cannot be avoided. The key to solve this problem is not complicated at all. Find a trustworthy supplier that has a rigorous testing system of the temperature of the modules.

  • Refurbished Modules:

As an alternative to some users, adopting used modules is "cost-effective." Indeed, the price of second-hand modules is lower, and they might work normally in some situations. But it's still worth mentioning that second-hand transceivers are more prone to temperature sensitivity issues because of some of their internal parts. If the working temperature range of a new module is 0-70℃, then the used module will not reach the level mostly. Once it works abnormally, the replacement and maintenance fee will be much higher than the money you have saved in the very beginning.

  • Environmental Conditions:

Optical modules are mainly used in data centers, computer rooms or switches. If applied in other environments, changes in the ambient temperature will change the optical module temperature, the optical power and optical sensitivity are also affected.

 

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