Mode Conditioning Patch Cable

Mode conditioning fiber patch cables, also known as conditioned launch fiber cables, are used specifically in Gigabit Ethernet 1000BASE-LX (and 1000Base-LH) applications where the objective is deploying new high-speed 1000BASE-LX routers, switches, or transceivers within existing multimode system backbones. Mode conditioning fiber jumpers are utilized in the 1300nm or 1310nm optical wavelength window, and should not be used for 850nm short wavelength window for example 1000Base-SX. Also, any make an effort to connect 1000Base-LX/LH equipment over short distances of multimode fiber without the use of mode conditioning fiber can lead to a higher bit error rate, and finally damage to the device.
There are some things you should know when using mode conditioning cables to patch an existing multimode fiber patch cable plant to your Gigabit LX equipment.

1.Mode conditioning cable are usually used in pairs. This means that you will need a MC cable at each end to connect the gear to the cable plant. So then these cables are usually ordered in even numbers. The typical reason someone may order one cable is really they might keep it like a spare.

2.If your gigabit LX switch is equipped with SC or LC connectors, please be sure for connecting the yellow leg (Singlemode) of the cable to the transmit side, and the orange leg (multimode) towards the receive side of the equipment. It is imperative that this configuration be maintained on ends. The swap of transmit and receive only works in the cable plant side.

The launch from the light coming out of the gear begins on the Singlemode fiber. The Singlemode fiber is precision fusion spliced towards the multimode fiber to a precise core alignment. The sunshine is launched on to the multimode fiber in a precise angle, giving the cable its mode conditioning properties . Looking at the mode conditioning cable assembly, we can see that the fusion splice that protected by a black over-wrap. Notice that around the right side it comes with an orange along with a yellow cable. This is actually the side of the cable that connects to the gigabit equipment using the yellow Singlemode leg connecting towards the transmit side.

The great interest in increased bandwidth has prompted the release from the 802.3z standard (IEEE) for Gigabit Ethernet over optical fiber. 1000Base-LX necessitates the use of a launch conditioning patch cord to allow for proper propagation of the laser VCSEL light along the multimode fiber.
The Mode Conditioning Patch Cord is designed for long wave (-LX) multimode applying Gigabit Ethernet. It's compliant with this IEEE 802.3z application standard. This patch cord includes duplex SC connectors on both ends of a cable assembly with a single-mode fiber offset to a multimode fiber connection point in between.

The need for this patch cord is a result of the single-mode launch nature from the -LX or long-wave (1300 nm) transceiver modules used for Gigabit Ethernet. These modules have to operate for both single-mode and multimode fibers. Launching a single-mode laser in to the center of a multimode fiber may cause multiple signals to be generated that confuse the receiver at the opposite end from the fiber. These multiple signals, caused by Differential Mode Delay (DMD) effects, severely limit the cable distance lengths for operating Gigabit Ethernet. A mode conditioning patch cord eliminates these multiple signals by allowing the single-mode launch to be offset from the center of a multimode fiber. This offset point results in a launch that is similar to typical multimode LED launches.

According to different wavelength and mixtures of connecters, for example SC, ST, MT-RJ and LC, Mode Conditioning Patch Cables are split into many varieties. For example, the Chinese fiber optic products supplier FiberStore now can offer SC OM2 Mode Conditioning Patch Cable and LC OM3 Mode Conditioning Patch Cable and so forth. To learn more, please simply click the hyperlink of the example.