Differences Between SFP And BiDi SFP--ETU-LINK

Differences Between SFP and BiDi SFP

June 24. 2016

When selecting optical transceivers for your network infrastructure, understanding the difference between a standard SFP module and a BiDi SFP module is crucial for optimizing fiber usage and deployment costs. Both are hot-pluggable fiber optic transceivers, but they operate on fundamentally different principles.

Ⅰ. What is a Standard SFP Transceiver?

As we learned, a common SFP transceiver is generally with two ports, one is TX port to transmit the signal, and the other one is RX port to receive signals. This means a standard SFP optical module requires two strands of fiber to establish a full-duplex connection—one for transmitting and one for receiving.

Ⅱ. What is a BiDi SFP Transceiver?

BiDi SFP transceiver is only with one port which uses an integral WDM coupler to transmit and receive signals over a single strand fiber.BiDi, short for Bidirectional, is a specialized BiDi optical module that leverages Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology to combine transmit and receive signals onto a single fiber core, effectively doubling the capacity of existing fiber infrastructure.

Ⅲ. SFP and BiDi SFP Connection Methods

All SFP transceivers must be used by pairs. All SFP transceivers must be used in pairs. However, the pairing requirements differ significantly between standard and BiDi SFPs.

For Common SFPs (Dual-Fiber):

We should connect the two SFPs which have the same wavelength together. For example, we use a 850nm SFP at one end, then we must use a 850nm SFP on the other end (shown in the figure below). This is the traditional method for fiber optic communication using duplex fiber.

For BiDi SFPs (Single-Fiber):

Since BiDi SFP transmits and receives signals with different wavelengths, we should connect the two BiDi SFPs which have the opposite wavelength together. For example, we use a TX1310/RX1550nm BiDi SFP at one end, then we must use a TX1550/RX1310nm BiDi SFP on the other end (shown in the figure below). This single-fiber SFP configuration enables bidirectional communication over one fiber strand.

Ⅳ. BiDi SFP Applications

At present, the BiDi SFP is mostly used in FTTx deployment P2P (point-to-point) connection. A FTTH/FTTB active Ethernet network consists of a central office (CO) connecting to the customer premises equipment (CPE). BiDi SFP allows a bi-directional communication on a single fiber by using wavelength multiplexing (WDM), which makes CO and CPE connection more simple.

Bidi SFP Cost high Save fiber

SFP Cost low Not save fiber

ETU-LINK BiDi SFP Solutions

ETU-Link Technology Co., Ltd provides a variety of BiDi SFPs. They can support different data rate and support transmission distance up to max 200 km that can meet the demands of today’s fiber services for carriers and enterprises.

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If you are looking for reliable and cost-effective BiDi SFP, SFP optical modules, or other fiber optic transceiver products, check out ETU-Link's OEM/ODM Optical Transceiver solutions with 100% compatibility guarantee.

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