There are two main types of fiber optic cables: single mode and multimode. Although they can do the same job in some instances, the different construction methods make each of them better suited to certain tasks and budgets. Multi-mode links can be used for data rates up to 800 Gbit/s. Multimode fiber cables are the type of fiber cables that transmit data via their core of larger diameters. Multimode fiber (MMF) is an optical fiber designed to carry multiple light propagation paths—or modes—simultaneously. This is made possible by its relatively large core diameter, typically 50 or 62. This small diameter core, typically around 9 microns in diameter, allows only one mode of light to pass through, resulting in a narrower beam of light. Choosing between single mode and multimode fiber is a common decision when designing, deploying, or upgrading fiber optic networks.
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