Single Mode optical fibers are frequently deployed in fiber optic communications systems, as their design makes them the ideal choice for network links ranging from just a few hundred meters to thousands of kilometers in distance. With several global manufacturers leading the market offering fibers to meet ITU-T industry standards, in this article we will quickly review some of the most common and popular single mode fibers that are being designed into networks today.
Updated in 2021 from the original article in 2010, below is a current list of single mode fibers from leading manufacturers by ITU-T specification.
Standard Single Mode Optical Fibers (G.652.D)
The most common SM fiber, deployed in campus, metro, regional, and long-haul telecom, data center, cloud, financial, and government systems around the world.
(Note: The Corning®, OFS®, and Sumitomo® fibers above also meet the G.657.A1 spec)
Cut-off Shifted Single Mode Optical Fibers (G.654.D)
SM fibers offering ultra-low loss/attenuation for transoceanic and submarine applications.
Non-Zero Dispersion Shifted (NZDSF) Single Mode Optical Fibers (G.655)
SM fibers for high capacity, long-haul systems with reduced chromatic dispersion characteristics
Bend-Insensitive Single Mode Optical Fiber (G.657.A2)
Extra flexibility and a reduced bend radius make these fibers suitable for network installations and environments where cable routing is a challenge or difficult.
Need Single Mode Fiber for Network & Latency Simulation Applications?
Since manufacturers typically draw and spool bare fibers to a single standard length using an automated process, M2 Optics supports engineering teams by providing custom lengths in the most efficient packaging formats for network link and latency simulation tasks.
To learn more, contact a fiber expert at M2 today and we will help you achieve your project goals.
