What kind of cable is used for multimode fiber optic cables

Multimode fiber optic cables use a larger core (50–62.5 µm) to carry multiple light modes simultaneously, making them ideal for short- to medium-distance high-speed data transmission.Core Characteristics

Multimode fiber (MMF) cables have a larger core diameter than single-mode fibers, typically 50 µm or 62.5 µm, which allows multiple light paths to propagate at once. This design enables the use of low-cost light sources such as LEDs or VCSELs and makes MMF suitable for in-building, campus, or data center networks where ultra-long distances are not required .

Types of Multimode Fiber

Multimode fibers are standardized into five main types, OM1 through OM5, each with distinct performance characteristics:

• OM1: 62.5 µm core, supports up to 10 Gbps over 300 meters, typically uses LED light sources, and has an orange jacket .
• OM2: 50 µm core, supports 10 Gbps up to 550 meters, also LED-based, with an orange jacket .
• OM3: 50 µm core, laser-optimized for VCSELs, supports 10 Gbps up to 1000 meters and 40 Gbps up to 400 meters, with an aqua jacket .
• OM4: 50 µm core, enhanced laser-optimized, supports 40 Gbps up to 550 meters and 100 Gbps up to 150 meters, with an aqua jacket .
• OM5: 50 µm core, wideband multimode fiber for shortwave wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM), supports high-speed applications with a lime green jacket .

Applications

Multimode fiber is optimized for shorter distances due to modal dispersion, which can limit data rates over long spans. It is commonly used for:

• Data centers: High-speed 10G, 25G, 40G, and 100G links
• Enterprise networks: Campus backbone and building interconnects
• AV and media streaming: Real-time high-resolution video feeds
• Healthcare and manufacturing: Connecting diagnostic systems or control rooms in EMI-heavy environments

Advantages

• Lower cost transceivers compared to single-mode fiber
• Easier alignment and installation due to larger core
• Supports multiple simultaneous data streams
• Ideal for short- to medium-range high-bandwidth applications In summary, multimode fiber optic cables are designed with a larger core to carry multiple light modes, and the choice of OM1–OM5 depends on the required bandwidth, distance, and application environment. They are widely used in data centers, enterprise networks, and other short-range high-speed communication systems.