Demystifying MTP® OM5 Cables: Everything You Need to Know
Updated at Sep 27th 20241 min read
MTP® OM5 cable is a type of multimode fiber optic cable that is increasingly being used in data centers and other high-performance computing environments. This article will provide a comprehensive introduction to the MTP® OM5 cable, including its features and benefits. We will also cover frequently asked questions about MTP® OM5 cable to help you make an informed decision when selecting fiber optic cables for your high-speed data transmission needs.
Introduction to MTP® OM5 Cables
OM5 cable is the newest type of multimode fiber cable. And MTP® OM5 fiber cable is a multimode fiber that utilizes high-density MTP® connectors. This kind of connector can accommodate up to 32 individual fibers saving a lot of space and resources for optical fiber wiring. MTP® OM5 has a clearly defined effective modal bandwidth (EMB) and fiber cable attenuation that performs across at least four low-cost wavelengths from 850 nm to 953nm. It was created to provide optimal support for shortwave division multiplexing (SWDM) applications, which reduces the amount of fibers needed for high-speed transmissions.
12-fiber and 24-fiber MTP®multimode OM5 cables are the two common types. MTP®-12 fibers OM5 patch cables are commonly used to establish high-performance 10G, 40G, or 100G connections. With 24 fibers in a single MTP® connector, MTP®-24 provides additional density versus three MPO-8 connectors or two MPO12 connectors, which shortens the cleaning and inspection time.
Advantages of MTP® OM5 Cables
Higher Bandwidth Capacity
MTP® OM5 cables are designed to support wideband multimode fiber (WBMMF) technology, allowing multiple wavelength transmissions within the 850 nm to 953 nm range. This enables simultaneous data transmission across different wavelengths, significantly increasing bandwidth capacity and boosting overall data throughput. This advantage is critical for modern data centers and enterprises looking to maximize network performance.
Extended Transmission Distance
Compared to MTP® OM3 and MTP® OM4 cables, MTP® OM5 provides longer transmission distances when paired with SWDM or BiDi transceivers. While MTP® OM4 supports up to 100 meters with 100G-SWDM4 transceivers, MTP® OM5 can extend this to 150 meters. This increased distance makes OM5 ideal for large-scale data centers that require high-performance connections over longer spans with these advanced transceiver technologies.
Backward Compatibility
MTP® OM5 cables are fully backward compatible with existing MTP® OM3 and OM4 infrastructure, ensuring seamless network upgrades. MTP® OM5 fiber cables share the same size and shape as MTP® OM3 and MTP® OM4, allowing easy integration into existing multimode fiber infrastructures. This compatibility means that businesses can adopt MTP® OM5 for advanced SWDM functionality without needing a complete system overhaul. As a result, network downtime is reduced, disruption is minimized, and upgrade costs are lowered while enhancing network performance.
MTP® OM3 vs OM4 vs OM5 Cables
Distance Comparison
When using SR4 or eSR4 transceivers, MTP® OM4 cable has a distance advantage over MTP® OM3 cable because these transceivers only operate at 850 nm.
At 40G, SWDM has a distance benefit for MTP® OM5 over MTP® OM4 and OM3, given that these are multiple wavelength transceivers. However, the MTP® OM4 distances of 350 m for SWDM are already quite far and are sufficient for the vast majority of MMF applications.
At 100G, an MTP® OM5 distance benefit exists for SWDM transceivers, as MTP® OM5 provides up to 150 m of reach, as compared to the 100 m reach provided by MTP® OM4. The longest overall reach of 300 m is provided by the eSR4 transceiver with either MTP® OM4 or MTP® OM5 cable.
Bandwidth Comparison
Bandwidth（MHZ*KM） | ||
Fiber Type | EMB 850 nm | EMB 953 nm |
MTP® OM3 | ≥2000 | / |
MTP® OM4 | ≥4700 | / |
MTP® OM5 | ≥4700 | ≥2470 |
MTP® OM4 and OM5 fiber cables are often compared, but some common misconceptions need to be cleared up. The TIA standard for OM4 fiber optical cable only requires a bandwidth of 4700 MHz.km at the 850-nm measurement wavelength, with no established specification for EMB at other wavelengths. In contrast, OM5 optic cable has a specific requirement of 4700 MHz.km at 850 nm and 2470 MHz.km at 953 nm.
This extra requirement ensures that all MTP® OM5 fibers meet the minimum performance requirement at 953 nm. While some people claim that MTP® OM5 fiber cable has better reach than OM4 fiber, the truth is that this is true for multi-wavelength transceivers operating across the waveband from 850 nm to 940 nm. In these cases, MTP® OM5 delivers a significant performance improvement compared to MTP® OM4, and the cost increase is justified.
Frequently Asked Questions about MTP® OM5 Cables
Are MTP® OM5 cables compatible with other fiber optic solutions?
Yes, MTP® OM5 cables are compatible with other multi-mode fiber optics solutions, such as OM4 and OM3 cables. This makes them an ideal choice for upgrading existing fiber optic networks.
What is the installation process for MTP® OM5 cables?
Installing MTP® OM5 cable is similar to installing other fiber optic cables. However, it is important to ensure the connectors are properly aligned and the cable is not bent beyond its minimum bend radius. Professional installation is recommended to ensure optimal performance.
What are some key considerations when selecting MTP® OM5 cables?
When selecting MTP® OM5 cables, it is important to consider the cable length, the number of fibers required, and the type of connectors needed. It is also important to ensure that the cable meets industry standards for performance and safety.
Can FS provide OM5 multimode fiber?
Yes. At present, FS can offer MTP® OM5 jumper cables for 12/24 fibers with different polarities. For specific applications, custom services can also be provided.
Related Article: OM5 Multimode Fiber FAQs
Conclusion
While SWDM technology can be utilized with both OM4 and OM3 fibers, its primary benefit lies in OM5's capability to support SWDM applications within the wavelength range of 850-953 nm. This is not achievable with either OM4 or OM3 fibers. For other applications in the multimode sector, the OM4 fiber remains the practical and common choice. Therefore, MTP® OM5 cables are suitable for network environments that require high-speed data transmission, especially in data centers and other high-performance computing environments.