Multimode Fiber Advancement in Wideband Multimode Fiber (WBMMF) is the newest multimode fiber standard developed by a TIA Joint Task Group, Chaired by Panduit. WBMMF is referred to as OM5 in the ISO/IEC 11801: Information Technology – Generic Cabling for Customer Premises.
OM5 fiber is a laser optimized multimode fiber (MMF) with bandwidth characteristics specified for Short Wave Division Multiplexing (SWDM). This new classification of fiber is designed to support multiple wavelengths between 850 and 953nm that can be aggregated for high bandwidth applications.
OM5 shares the same geometry (50μm core, 125μm cladding) with OM3 and OM4, thus OM5 is backward compatible with these fiber types. For applications/systems operating at a single 850nm wavelength, OM5 provides no greater bandwidth than OM4.
SWDM applications are not exclusive to OM5, both OM3 and OM4 fiber continue to be highly relevant.
In the above example, four wavelengths of light each transmit 25Gbps resulting in 100Gbps across a single fiber, and full transmit (Tx) / receive (Rx) over a pair of fibers (as opposed to previous generation 100Gpbs standards that required many fibers or parallel optics). This concept can be applied to OM3, OM4 and OM5 fiber grades.
Combined with other transmission technologies such as higher speed VCSELs, parallel optics (i.e. more strands of fiber) and advanced optical modulation techniques (e.g. PAM-4), a future roadmap beyond 400G is feasible on a single fiber.
A key factor limiting the bandwidth of multimode fiber at high data rates (>10G) is not just modal dispersion but also chromatic dispersion. Panduit has made it possible through the reduction of modal and chromatic dispersion in MMF to achieve extra reach for higher data rate applications.
Panduit was first to effectively address the challenge of minimizing chromatic and modal dispersion in multimode fiber and pioneered the development of a new breed of multimode fiber.
Panduit’s Position on OM5 Fiber
Panduit played a leading role in multimode fiber advancement of OM5 fiber within the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Joint Task Group on WBMMF as Chair during the standards development process, and was first to market with a wideband multimode fiber that provides extended reach for systems operating at multiple wavelengths (e.g. Cisco’s BiDi).
OM5 is just one example of how high data rates can be supported using multimode fiber. OM4 and the OM4 Signature Core™ Fiber Optic Cabling System will continue to be highly relevant in terms of supporting higher data transmission rate applications that are using both 850nm and SWDM/multi-wavelengths.
Careful consideration must be made in terms of return on investment to determine which fiber grade provides ‘best value’ as a transmission medium to support both current and future needs of your physical layer infrastructure. OM4 Signature Core™ outperforms OM5 for applications operating either a single or dual wavelength in many cases.
OM5 Signature Core™ outperforms the standard OM5 fiber for any SWDM applications, providing on average 15% extended reach while maintaining high and reliable performance.
Panduit is highly active in standards development and industry multimode fiber advancement, driven to solve customer challenges and exceed expectations with best-in-class product solutions, service and support.
 is the newest multimode fiber standard developed by a TIA Joint Task Group, Chaired by Panduit. WBMMF is referred to as OM5 in the ISO/IEC 11801: Information Technology – Generic Cabling for Customer Premises.){kind=link}