This section provides overview, applications, and principles of media converters. Also, please take a look at the list of 22 media converter manufacturers and their company rankings.
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A media converter is a device for converting different media signals into each other.
In particular, it refers to a device that converts electrical signals to optical signals and is also called an optical media converter. A media converter is a device for connecting a metal cable, such as a LAN cable, which uses electrical signals for communication, and an optical fiber cable, which uses light as the medium for communication. It consists of two media converters connected to both ends of the cables to be connected and communicate with each other.
Metal cables that transmit electrical signals are susceptible to signal attenuation and noise as the transmission distance increases. As a result, the transmission distance is limited to about 100 m. On the other hand, fiber-optic communication is affected by these effects.
Optical fiber communications, on the other hand, are less susceptible to these effects and are suitable for transmission over long distances. However, since the signal medium is different between metal cables, which transmit voltage fluctuations, and optical fiber, which transmits flickering light, it is necessary to convert the signals into each other's signals in order to connect them.
By linking the two signals through a media converter, a network circuit can be constructed that takes advantage of the strengths of each cable. This is especially useful for communication between terminals that cannot be physically reached with metal cables alone.
Media converters are installed at both ends of optical fibers that relay between metal cables.
The first (transmitting) media converter converts signals from the metal cable to the optical fiber, i.e., from electrical signals to optical signals.
The incoming electrical signal is transmitted to a laser light source, where it is emitted as light modulated with an intensity corresponding to the signal. Next, a second (receiving) media converter detects the transmitted signal with a photodiode and converts it into an electrical signal, thereby reconverting the optical signal back into the original electrical signal.
Media converters differ in the conversion method depending on whether the communication speed on the electrical signal side is the same as that on the optical signal side.
If the communication speeds are the same, conversion is performed in real time with almost no delay.
Signals are converted after the transmitting side media converter receives all signals sent from the transmitting side. The converted signals are then sent to the media converter on the receiving side.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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