Fibre optic transceivers – 1×9, SFP, CSFP, XFP, QSFP & custom solutions

Find the right fibre optic transceiver for your application

Combining both a transmitter and receiver into a single housing, we cover a selection of transceivers that are suitable across many applications including industrial, harsh environments and high noise.

Our transceivers offer compact, reliable, durable and flexible options that are resilient to vibration, yet still allowing operation in an optimal wavelength range and directly modulated at high frequencies covering both digital and analogue options.

All products have been designed with a focus on achieving low-power consumption over a wide operating temperature range, and beyond and are available with conformal coating, additional shielding or special mechanical robustness demanded of rugged installations.

We have been long-standing partners with the leaders in fibre optic transceiver technologies and provide a wide range of high-quality products. Their strength in product customisation and flexibility of design enables also allows our fibre-optics experts to meet any bespoke requirements.

Covering a choice of either multiple supplier agreement (MSA) form factors, such as 1×9, SFF, SFP/CSFP, SFP+, XFP, QSFP+/QSFP28/QSFP-DD or customised footprints. Our technical consultants will also work with you to ensure optimum performance and usability through our test and support services and for custom solutions.

Product ranges in fibre optic transceivers

FAQs about Fibre Optic Transceivers for rugged and industrial solutions

Everything you need to know about Fibre Optic Transceivers – technical answers for your applications

Fibre optic transceivers are compact modules that combine a transmitter and receiver in a single unit. The system consists of optoelectronic components that convert electrical signals into optical signals – and back. The focus is on high-speed, interference-free data transmission across long distances in industrial, automation, and telecom applications.

Rugged optical transceivers are designed for extreme temperatures, vibration, and EMC-critical environments. The components are modular in design and protected by robust housings, additional shielding, and optional conformal coating. The results clearly show that performance remains stable even under mechanical stress and fluctuating ambient conditions.

Fibre transceivers are standalone modules, while integrated cable transceivers come with pre-attached fibre assemblies. The advantage of this method is simplified installation and reduced risk of connector failure. Compared to previous approaches, integrated cable solutions save time and ensure long-term reliability in embedded systems.

Optotransceivers combine optical conversion with integrated diagnostics and signal processing. This approach enables higher efficiency in compact systems and reduces the need for external circuitry. The technical implementation is based on advanced modulation and integrated monitoring interfaces.

Standard fibre optic transceivers typically support only digital protocols (e.g. Ethernet, Fibre Channel, SONET/SDH etc.) Acal BFi however offer additionally a range of transceivers that support analogue signals (e.g. RF over fibre). The analogue transceiver consists of highly linear, low-noise, and high-dynamic range components. These modules are ideal for wideband communication systems in wireless, antenna remoting, and distributed antenna systems.

The technical implementation is based on energy-efficient laser drivers and low-loss optical paths. It was found that even high-performance models operate below 1 W in typical use cases. This makes them ideal for embedded systems and mobile applications with limited power budgets.

Cable transceivers – devices are plug-and-play solutions with preconfigured optical and electrical interfaces. The interface connects directly to industrial controllers, switches, or I/O modules. Taking the requirements into account, the system simplifies integration into complex network topologies

All modules are tested across a wide range of electrical and optical parameters, data load and temperature extremes. The data is collected using automated systems including optical inspection, thermal cycling, and bit error rate test equipment. The results are additionally verified by live network simulations in lab and field conditions.

Yes. We work closely with leading manufacturers to deliver custom-built transceivers tailored to your technical needs. The procedure was successfully implemented in projects requiring special wavelength tuning, non-standard footprints, or extended diagnostics. Further investigations are required to explore edge use cases like space-limited embedded environments.

MSA (Multiple Supplier Agreement) industry-standard form factors such as SFP, SFP+, QSFP, and QSFP-DD are commonly used these days in modular networking environments. The components are mechanically and electro-optically conformant in design, ensuring compatibility with switches, routers, and optical backplanes. The focus is on scalability and future-proof integration into your system architecture.