SFP to SFP Protocol-Transparent Media Converter and WDM Transponder

• SFP to SFP protocol-transparent fiber converter
• Supports Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet
• Supports SONET (OC-3/12/48) and SDH (STM-1/4/16)
• Supports 1x/2x/4x/8x Fibre Channel
• Supports Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) line rates up to 6.144Gbps
• Compatible with T1/E1, DS3/T3/E3, serial multiplexers and media converters from Omnitron
• Supports SFP Digital Diagnostic Monitoring Interface (DDMI) bus
• Provides multimode to single-mode and dual to single-fiber media conversion
• Provides wavelength conversion for CWDM/DWDM applications
• User-selectable link fault detection modes facilitate quick fault detection, isolation and reporting
• LED displays for immediate visual status of each port
• Management of the plug-in module is available with the addition of a management module to the chassis
• SNMP management via NetOutlook® provides real-time module status information and trap notification of plug-in module
• Commercial (0 to 50°C), wide (-40 to 60°C) and extended (-40 to 75°C) temperature ranges
• Made in the USA
• Lifetime Warranty and free 24/7 Technical Support

The iConverter xFF is a protocol-transparent media converter, and is available as a compact, unmanaged standalone unit or a managed chassis plug-in module. The iConverter xFF is a Optical-Electrical-Optical (OEO) device, and provides reliable and cost-effective conversion between different wavelengths, multimode and single-mode, and dual and single-fiber.

The iConverter xFF operates as a protocol and rate-transparent device, supporting Small Form Pluggable (SFP) transceivers with constant data rates from 1Mbps to 8.50Gbps. The xFF supports a variety of network applications, including T1/E1, T3/E3, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, SONET (OC-3/12/48), SDH (STM-1/4/16), 1x/2x/4x/8x Fibre Channel and Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

The iConverter xFF supports multimode and single-mode dual fiber; and single-mode single-fiber SFP transceivers. SFPs allow adaptability to different fiber types, distances and wavelengths, providing maximum flexibility across a variety of network architectures and topologies. The xFF media converter can utilize a variety of SFPs for different wavelengths and distances, reducing costs and simplifying inventories.

SFP transceivers enable the xFF to operate as a Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM) or Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) transponder, which converts an optical signal from legacy fiber equipment to a specific CWDM/ DWDM wavelength. Wave division technology increases the bandwidth capacity of the fiber infrastructure by overlaying multiple signals, each using a different wavelength, over an existing fiber link.

There is no configuration required with the plug-and-play iConverter xFF. Connect the fiber cables to the appropriate interface and the installation is complete.

The xFF features user-selectable Link Propagate and Remote Fault Detection modes to facilitate quick fault detection, isolation and reporting.

The hot-swappable, plug-in module can be mounted in a 19 or 5-Module chassis with AC and DC power supplies. It can also be mounted in a 2-Module AC or DC powered chassis, or in a 1-Module chassis with AC or DC power input.

The standalone iConverter xFF is an unmanaged wall-mount unit. The wall-mount models are DC powered and are available with an external AC to DC power adapter, or a terminal connector for DC power.

Multimode to Single-mode Conversion

Networks often require conversion from multimode to single-mode fiber, which supports longer distances. In this application, two Ethernet switches equipped with multimode fiber ports are connected utilizing a pair of fiberto-fiber converters which convert the multimode fiber to single-mode and enable network connectivity across the distance between the switches.

CWDM Transponder

Fiber optic communications equipment with fixed fiber interfaces (ST, SC or LC connectors) operating over legacy wavelengths (850nm, 1310nm, 1550nm) must be converted to CWDM wavelengths using a media converter configured as a transponder.

The iConverter xFF is SFP to SFP protocol-transparent fiber converter and transponder, designed to provide conversion between different wavelengths, multimode and single-mode, dual fiber and single-fiber.

In this example, an Ethernet switch with a fixed fiber uplink port needs to be connected to an iConverter CWDM/M Multiplexer.

An iConverter xFF transponder module is used to converter the fixed fiber wavelength from the Ethernet switch to a specific CWDM wavelength required by the CWDM/M Multiplexer.

Two SFP transceivers are required in this application. The left side of the transponder uses a 1310nm standard SFP transceiver, while the right side of the transponder uses a 1530nm CWDM SFP transceiver. The CWDM SFP installed in the transponder is connected to a channel port on the iConverter CWDM/X Multiplexer.

The iConverter xFF converts the legacy 1310nm wavelength to CWDM 1530nm wavelength allowing the Ethernet switch to be connected to the Multiplexer.

The iConverter xFF plug-in module can be used in managed or unmanaged applications. Management provides remote configuration, monitoring and trap notification. Management of the xFF plug-in module is accomplished by installing an iConverter Management Module (NMM2) or Network Interface Device (NID) in the same chassis.

The Management Module can be accessed via SNMP, Telnet, and serial port. The xFF can be managed with Omnitron’s intuitive, graphic-oriented NetOutlook SNMP Management Software or third party SNMP management software. Management via the Telnet and the serial interfaces have an easy-to-use, menu-driven interface.

The management software can override the physical DIP-switch settings such as link modes. Some of the real-time xFF parameters that can be monitored include power, link, data activity status, module type and model, hardware and software revisions, serial numbers and a user-defined identifier.

The iConverter xFF supports SNMP trap notification for the monitoring and notification of different network events. Specific events that generate traps include module insertion and removal, and port link-up and link-down. Trap monitoring of specific events can be selectively enabled or disabled by the network management software.