The difference between AOC cable and ordinary optical fiber

　　There are significant differences between AOC cable (Active optical cable) and ordinary optical fiber in several aspects. Here is a detailed comparison of the two:

　　I. Definition and Composition

　　AOC cable

　　AOC cable is a new type of cable solution that integrates photoelectric conversion technology and high-speed signal processing capabilities.

　　Composition: Usually consists of two optical transceivers (tranSMitter and receiver), multimode fiber, and possibly a photoelectric conversion chip. Together, these components enable conversion and high-speed transmission between electrical and optical signals.

　　ordinary optical fiber

　　Definition: An optical fiber is a glass or plastic material as thin as a hair used to transmit light signals.

　　Composition: It is mainly composed of a core, a cladding, and a coating, in which the core is responsible for transmitting the optical signal, the cladding is used to prevent the leakage of the optical signal, and the coating provides protection and increases the durability of the fiber.

　　Functions and features

　　AOC cable

　　光电混合：在一端将电信号转换为光信号，通过光纤快速传播，再在另一端将光信号转回电信号，实现了长距离、高速率的数据传输。

　　低功耗：相比同等长度的传统铜质电缆，AOC线缆消耗的电力更低。

　　轻便灵活：AOC线缆重量轻、体积小、柔软度好，易于弯曲和布线。

　　抗干扰能力强：由于光纤本身不会受到电磁场的影响，AOC线缆具有优秀的抗干扰性能。

　　长距离传输：能够实现长达几十甚至上百米的无损传输。

　　支持多种接口：如HDMI、DisplayPort、USB Type-C等，能够直接插入相应的设备端口。

　　ordinary optical fiber

　　光信号传输：用于传输光信号，具有低衰减、高频率范围、细小柔软等特点。

　　易受环境影响：虽然光纤本身不受电磁场影响，但光纤连接器和光纤跳线等附件可能受到灰尘、污垢或物理损伤的影响，从而影响传输性能。

　　需要额外设备：在传输电信号时，需要额外的光电转换设备(如光模块)将电信号转换为光信号进行传输。

　　III. Application scenarios

　　AOC cable

　　数据中心内部连接：特别适用于服务器集群、交换机阵列等高密度、高性能的数据中心环境。

　　高性能计算：在科研、金融、气象预测等领域，AOC线缆能够满足超级计算机对高速、低延迟通信的需求。

　　超清显示设备连接：对于8K、10K分辨率的显示器或投影仪，AOC线缆能确保画面流畅无延时。

　　消费电子产品：新一代游戏主机、高端笔记本电脑等设备开始标配AOC线缆接口。

　　ordinary optical fiber

　　通信网络：作为现代通信网络的重要基础设施，支撑互联网、电话通信、电视信号传输等。

　　医疗领域：在内窥镜、手术器械、激光治疗等医疗设备中得到广泛应用。

　　工业制造：光纤传感器在工业监测、油气管道安全等方面发挥重要作用。

　　研究科学：在光学仪器、激光实验、天文观测等科研领域有着广泛应用。

　　IV. Summary

　　There are significant differences between AOC cables and ordinary optical fibers in terms of definition, composition, functions and characteristics, and application scenarios. AOC cables are widely used in data centers, high-performance computing, ultra-clear display device connection, and consumer electronics products due to their characteristics of optoelectronic mixing, low power consumption, lightweight and flexible, strong anti-interference ability, long-distance transmission, and support for multiple interfaces. While ordinary optical fibers play an important role in communication networks, medical fields, industrial manufacturing, and research science due to their characteristics of optical signal transmission, low attenuation, and high frequency range. When choosing which cable to use, comprehensive consideration should be given according to specific application scenarios and needs.