Understanding SFP Modules

What is an SFP module?
SFP is the abbreviation of small package pluggable. It is a compact, hot pluggable Optical module for telecommunications and data communication applications. The SFP Optical module can be considered as an upgraded version of the GBIC Optical module. Unlike GBICs with SC fiber interfaces, SFPs come with LC interfaces (although there are also SFP modules with SC interfaces) and have a body size of only about half that of GBICs, allowing SFPs to save more space. SFP connects the motherboard of network devices (such as routers, switches, media converters, or similar devices) to optical cables or cables. At the same time, SFP is a commonly used industrial specification supported by many network device suppliers. It has been designed to support SONET, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and other communication standards. The shape is shown in the following figure

Standardization
SFP Optical module is not regulated by any official standard system, but is regulated by multilateral agreement (MSA) between competitors. SFP is designed according to the GBIC interface and achieves a higher port density than GBIC (the number of Optical module per centimeter along the edge of the motherboard), which is why SFP is also called mini GBIC. The related small package Optical module has a size similar to SFP, but it is soldered to the motherboard as a pin rather than inserted into the side card slot.
However, in practical applications, some network device manufacturers use the key mechanism to break the compatibility with the “universal” SFP, that is, add a verification process to the device firmware so that the device can only enable its own Optical module
Different types of SFPs
There are many different types of transmitters and receivers for SFP modules sold on the market today. This method allows users to select appropriate Optical module for each different link. For example, in current interface types, transmission can be divided into single mode or multimode based on different fiber types.

As shown in the above figure, this picture shows the single fiber module of the SC interface

As shown in the above figure, this is a dual fiber module for the LC interface

Composition of SFP
Structure composition: mainly composed of one of the (BOSA for single fiber; TOSA+ROSA for double fiber), combined with PCBA board and shell, and equipped with pull rings, buckles, unlocking parts, and rubber plugs. In order to better distinguish different emission and reception wavelengths from the appearance, different pull ring colors are generally designed to distinguish the parameter types of the module. For example, in the LC single fiber interface, the blue pull ring is 1310nm, the purple pull ring is 1490nm, and so on
The SFP module produced by Shenzhen Haidiwei Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. is a best-selling product. In addition, there are also popular communication Optical module, pluggable Optical module, 1×9 Optical module, dual core Optical module and other module products of different types. Welcome everyone in need to have a product understanding. Shenzhen Haidiwei Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. can provide a professional technical service team to serve you.