Media converters are devices for implementing and optimising fibre links in all types of networks, making copper or fibre networks more flexible and cost-effective. Today there are commonly two types of optical media converters: copper to fibre media converters and fibre to fibre media converters. They are used for distinct purposes.
Copper to fibre media converters are designed to convert the electrical signal used in copper cabling into optical light waves used in fibre cabling, making it possible to connect two dissimilar media types. In most LAN wiring, copper cabling is limited with a transmission distance about 100 metres, for electromagnetic signal characteristics hinder the transmission performance when applied over long distance. In addition, copper cabling is unsuitable to used for comprehensive backbone because it causes interface when bundled. So copper cabling is typically utilised in short distance especially within 100 metres. Thus there is a need for fibre optic connectivity when the distance between two network devices exceed the transmission distance of copper cabling. Copper to fibre media converters can extend the network connectivity by integrating two network devices with copper-to-fibre conversion.
Copper-to-fibre converters are widely used for LAN administrators to integrate fibre with the existing copper wiring, satisfying a wide range of requirements in network connectivity and distance and saving great cost-savings.
Fibre to fibre media converters are another kind of media converters which provide fibre-to-fibre conversion from multimode fibre to a single mode fibre. The conversion makes fibre networks more flexible. Multimode fibres and singlemode fibres are basic devices used to transmit signals and connect transceivers. The size of the “core” plays the most important role in making multimode fibre distinct from singlemode fibre. Multimode fibre is commonly used in short distance transmission with higher capacity, for its larger core allows more light to pass through at once. And singlemode fibre is used in long distance transmission because signals in multimode fibre are dispersed and attenuated especially when the transmission distance is over 100 metres. Fibre to fibre media converters can connect the two different types of fibre by fibre-to-fibre conversion, also making the transmission distance over 100 metres.
Fibre to fibre media converters are essential devices applied to enhance the fibre connectivity, meeting all requirements of fibre transmission with minimizing the cost and optimising the fibre connectivity performance as much as possible.
It is concluded that the above two kinds of optical media converters are the ideal solution for the demand for higher and forcing longer distance requirements within the LAN or outside the LAN.