Understanding Video SFP Transceivers

Video SFP transceivers are also referred to as digital video transceivers or SDI (short for Serial Digital Interface) video transceivers. They are designed to support SDI video pathological signal for SDI devices. Unlike SFP transceivers, video SFP transceivers are unfamiliar to many of us. Thus, this post will introduce video SFP transceivers in details for those who want to know this kind of transceiver.

 

Video SFP Transceivers VS SFP Transceivers?

Similar to SFP transceivers, Video SFP transceivers are small, hot-pluggable optics. The main difference of them is SFP transceivers are created to be used in data communication applications while video SFP transceivers are used to provide video transmission. As we all know, video transmission is different from data communication, one fundamental difference is that the video is transported in a uni-directional way. It means that the video link could be simply a signal fiber or coax signal transported. This reason has been the main driver to create different pinouts for the video SFP (as shown below). Thus, video SFP transceivers can have either two optical transmitters, two optical receivers or an optical transmitter and an optical receiver.

 

What Are the Categories of Video SFP Transceiver?

 

Video SFP transceivers can be classified into various categories according to different factors. For example, by operating wavelength, they can be divided into 1310nm, 1490nm, 1550nm and CWDM wavelengths video SFP transceivers; by operating rate, there are usually 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI video SFP transceivers.

 

3G-SDI video SFP transceivers has a data rate up to 3Gbps, which are specifically designed for robust performance in the presence of SDI pathological patterns for SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 344M, SMPTE 292M and SMPTE 424M serial rates. They are generally used for television broadcasting. However, as technology advances, they are now also widely applied in global security applications such as high-end surveillance or unmanned systems, allowing simple designs or upgrades with full HD cameras.

 

6G-SDI video SFP transceivers’ data rate is intended to be twice as fast as 3G-SDI transceivers, which means it is supposed to deliver a payload of 6 Gbps. Therefore, they are not only designed for SDI pathological patterns for SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 344M, SMPTE 292M and SMPTE 424M serial rates but also for SMPTE 2081. 6G-SDI video SFP transceivers are often used in camera, video, security monitoring applications and 4K /HDTV/SDTV service interfaces.

 

Speed up to 12Gbps, 12G-SDI video SFP transceivers are specifically designed for robust performance in the presence of SDI pathological patterns for SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 344M, SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 424M, ST2081 and ST-2082 serial rates. They are mainly used for SMPTE ST-297-2006, ST2081 and ST-2082 compatible electrical-to-optical interfaces and UHDTV/HDTV/SDTV service interfaces.

 

Conclusion

 

As 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI are all digital baseband signals, long-distance transmission on copper cable will definitely be limited. Thus, optic-fiber cables and 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI video SFP transceivers are perfect for long-distance video transmission.