CT-0155NSP-MB2L-A 1310 nm LED 2 km SFP Transceiver

This SFP is designed for 155 Mb/s optical links. It fully supports SONET OC-3 / SDH STM-1 at 155.52 Mb/s, which is commonly used in telecom networks, and it’s also suitable for 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s) over multimode fibre. The module’s optical characteristics meet the requirements for these legacy standards, making it a versatile choice for equipment that operates at or around the OC-3 data rate.

The CT-0155NSP-MB2L-A is optimised for multimode fibre and can reliably reach distances up to approximately 2 km using 50/125 µm or 62.5/125 µm multimode cabling. It uses a 1310 nm LED source, which is ideal for short-range multimode links. While the module can physically connect to single-mode fibre (due to the LC connector), an LED transmitter is not intended for long single-mode runs – in single-mode fibre the reach would be very limited (significantly less than 2 km). For any installation requiring greater distance or strictly single-mode performance, a laser-based SFP designed for single-mode would be recommended instead.

Yes. This particular model is the “-A” industrial grade variant, rated for an operating case temperature range from –40 °C to +85 °C. It is built to handle extreme temperatures often encountered in outdoor enclosures or industrial environments. The extended temperature specification makes it reliable for use in traffic systems, remote telemetry, base station equipment, and other scenarios where standard commercial-temperature modules would not be sufficient.

No, the CT-0155NSP-MB2L-A does not support digital diagnostic monitoring (it is listed as “W/O” DDMI in the specifications). This means the module does not report real-time parameters like optical power, temperature or voltage to the host. It is intended as a simpler plug-and-play SFP for basic link functionality. If monitoring is required, other variants (such as those with a “-D” or “-E” suffix in the series) include DDM support, but this MB2L-A version forgoes it to focus on core connectivity.

An LED-based SFP (like this one) uses an LED emitter instead of a laser diode. The main advantage is typically cost and durability – LEDs are generally less expensive and may have a longer service life for short-distance use. However, LED transmitters have a broader optical spectrum and lower coupled power, which limits the reach to around 2 km and restricts optimal use to multimode fibre. In contrast, laser-based SFPs (using FP or DFB lasers) can achieve much longer distances on single-mode fibre (tens of km) thanks to higher power and a narrow spectrum, but they come at higher cost. So, the LED SFP is a cost-effective choice for short links where 2 km or less on multimode is sufficient, whereas lasers are chosen for extended reach or single-mode requirements.

The module is designed according to the SFP MSA (Multi-Source Agreement), which means it is mechanically and electrically standardised. You simply insert it into any standard SFP slot or cage on your switch, router, media converter or SDH/SONET equipment. It is hot-pluggable, so you do not need to power down the system to install or replace it. Once plugged in, the transceiver’s LC ports can be connected to your multimode fibre optic cables. It operates from the host’s 3.3 V power supply and requires no special configuration – as long as your equipment supports OC-3 or 100 Mb optical interfaces, the link should come up automatically. Just make sure to match the SFP with the correct type of fibre and wavelength on the other end (another 1310 nm, 155 Mb/s module) for proper operation.

Mechanically and electrically, the module is vendor-neutral thanks to adherence to the SFP standards. It will fit and function in any device with standard SFP ports for 155 Mb/s optical modules. Many major network vendors use coded SFPs, but in practice a generic MSA-compliant SFP like this often works plug-and-play in their hardware for the supported speed (OC-3/FE). In cases where a switch expects a specific vendor-coded SFP, you may get a warning or need to enable third-party transceiver support. However, from a hardware standpoint, the CT-0155NSP-MB2L-A uses the common SFP interface and should be electrically compatible with all standard SFP hosts at 155 Mb/s. It has the same pin assignments, link diagnostics (LOS, TX_FAULT, etc.), and performance characteristics required for interoperability. Always consult your device’s documentation to confirm third-party module support, but technically this transceiver meets the required specifications for broad compatibility.