Both terms refer to OS2-grade single-mode fiber optic patch cords, with the core difference lying in the number of fiber cores and transmission method. Below is the explanation of each term first, followed by the specific differences:
1. OS2 SMF Simplex
Refers to OS2 single-mode simplex fiber optic patch cord. OS2 (Optical Singlemode 2) is a high-performance single-mode fiber standard, with a typical core diameter of 9 microns, low attenuation, and support for ultra-long-distance transmission (up to over 200 kilometers). It is suitable for metropolitan area networks (MAN), wide area networks (WAN), and other scenarios. SMF stands for Single-Mode Fiber, which allows only a single mode of optical signal transmission to reduce dispersion and ensure long-distance transmission quality. Simplex means the patch cord contains only 1 fiber core. It is mostly used for unidirectional data transmission scenarios, such as monitoring data upload links that only require one-way signal transmission.
2. OS2 SMF Duplex
Refers to OS2 single-mode duplex fiber optic patch cord. OS2 and SMF have the same meanings as above, with the key difference being “Duplex”. This type of patch cord contains 2 parallel OS2 single-mode fibers, usually encapsulated in the same jacket with a central connecting strip for easy separation. The two fibers can separately undertake the tasks of transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) signals to achieve simultaneous two-way communication. It is commonly used in scenarios requiring two-way data transmission, such as data center equipment interconnection and backbone communication between buildings.
| Comparison Dimension | OS2 SMF Simplex | OS2 SMF Duplex |
| Number of Fiber Cores | Only 1 fiber core | Contains 2 parallel fiber cores |
| Transmission Method | Supports only unidirectional data transmission | Supports simultaneous two-way data transmission; the two cores are responsible for transmitting and receiving signals respectively |
| Structural Form | Single-core cable structure, relatively thin in appearance | Dual-core parallel encapsulation; some adopt a separable jacket design |
| Applicable Scenarios | Unidirectional signal transmission scenarios, such as one-way data transmission for security monitoring and single-fiber connections for specific equipment | Two-way communication scenarios, such as interconnection between data center servers and switches, two-way data interaction in telecom backbone networks, and backbone communication links between buildings |