Fiber optic cable can be run anywhere from 300 meters up to 80 kilometers (roughly 50 miles) depending on the cable type, transceiver used, and network standard. Fiber optic cable transmission distance is determined by two primary physical factors that affect signal quality as light travels through the fiber medium. The greater the distance, the greater. This table lists maximum unrepeated distance and link budget for each type of channel; longer distances are possible using repeaters, switches, or channel extenders. Single-mode. Spectrum of 1270nm to 1610nm with 20nm wavelength spacing 1470 - 1610nm typical range Optical multiplexing done with passive CWDM OADM Optical power budget of optics primary driver of distance Distance also varies by topology and speed Ring topology < Point-to-Point topology Higher speed < Lower. While modern single-mode cables achieve under 0. 5 dB per kilometer at 1550nm, light absorption and scattering still accumulate over long spans. Not included are many proprietary designs. Designs under development are listed below.
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