1. |
Designed to carry only a single mode of light – transverse mode. |
Designed to carry multiple modes of light at once. |
2. |
Used for long-distance transmission of signals. |
Used for comparatively shorter distance transmission of signals. |
3. |
Single-Mode cables support the transmission of single light mode with–
- Brighter
- Higher-power sources with Less attenuation
|
Multi-Mode cables support the transmission of multiple light modes with-
- Less brightness
- High attenuation
|
4. |
Narrower modal dispersion is present. |
A large range of modal dispersion is possible. |
5. |
They have a smaller core of about 9 micrometers (µm) in diameter. |
The core diameter is 50 µm or above. |
6. |
Practically there is no or less degradation of signals. |
There is much more degradation of signals. |
7. |
Handling or manufacturing them is quite difficult as coupling light becomes difficult with distance. |
Easier to manufacture and handle. |
8. |
Not only the cable cost but on average, single-mode transceivers are costing 1.5 to 4 or 5 times the cost of the multimode transceivers depending on the data rate. |
Multi-mode optical fiber cables for usage in short distances are more cost-effective compared to single-mode fibers. |
9. |
Single-mode fibers can be classified as the OS1 and OS2 types having applications at wavelengths 1310nm and 1550nm respectively. |
OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 fiber types are the most common forms of multimode fiber. |
10. |
Single-mode fiber can carry signals at a much greater speed. |
Signal speed is relatively slower in multimode fiber cables. |
11. |
A laser, or laser diode, is used in single-mode bandwidth devices to create light that is injected into the cable. |
A light source for multimode devices is generally an LED or a laser. |
12. |
Single-mode fibers have higher bandwidth compared to multimode fibers as much as 100,000 GHz. |
Multimode fibers have lower bandwidth to offer. |
13. |
Higher electronics cost |
Lower electronics cost |
14. |
Because of the smaller core size, termination is more difficult. |
Because of the larger core size, termination is easier. |
15. |
The most common single mode fiber wavelengths are 1310 nm and 1550 nm. |
The most common multi mode fiber wavelengths are 850 nm and 1300 nm. |
16. |
TIA-598C defines the standard of coating for non-military applications like it is coated with a yellow outer sheath. |
TIA-598C defines the standard of coating for non-military applications like it is coated with an orange or aqua outer sheath depending on type. |
17. |
Applications-
|
Applications-
- Security systems
- LANs (Local Area Network)
|