Media Converters

More Information about Media Converters

In intricate networks, chassis based media converters present a scalable answer where numerous converters can reside in a solitary chassis. For the most part, this allows for a converter that occupies 1U (1.75 inches) of vertical space to house 16 separate channels, with each channel serving as a separate media converter and providing the distinct function of a separate and stable connection (in this case, to a different media type) for each of the 16 paths between the MUX (multiplexer) on one side of the unit and the DMX (demultiplexer) on the other.

FAQs

What is the general wavelength and bandwidth of unmanaged media converters using Ethernet media and fiber media?

Unmanaged media converters using Ethernet and fiber media generally operate at wavelengths of 850 nm for multimode fiber and 1310 or 1550 nm for single-mode fiber, with bandwidth capabilities ranging from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps, depending on the model and application.

Does a mini media converter offer link fault pass and Power Over Ethernet (POE) options?

A mini media converter typically offers link fault pass functionality, though Power Over Ethernet (POE) options are less common and may depend on the specific model.

Serial Communication Basics 

Serial communication sends data sequentially over a computer bus or communication cable one bit at a time. Parallel communication sends data simultaneously over multiple communication lines in a single bus or cable multiple bits at a time. While it may seem that parallel communication would be the preferred method, this is not always the case. Because of the increased complexity of data transmission in parallel communication, serial communication can provide faster speeds. The speed of serial communication can be altered by adjusting the BOD rate, which increases the number of the bits transmitted per second. 

Two of the most common standards that have been created to take advantage of serial based communication in the industrial space are RS 232 and RS 485. RS 232 standard used to be very common, however it had lower transmission speeds, short maximum cable lengths and large voltage swings, making it useful only in certain situations. RS 485 is an improved standard that is still found in many applications today. It fixed many of the issues the RS 232 standard had by providing higher transmission speeds, longer cable lengths and other improvements that increased its usability and performance.