Mode conditioning patch cord (MCP) was developed as a solution for network applications where Gigabit Ethernet hubs with laser based transmitters are deployed. It is a special fiber optic patch cord and allows customer upgrading their hardware technology without the cost of upgrading fiber plant. In addition, MCP significantly improves data signal quality while increasing the transmission distance. The text will give some detailed information about mode conditioning patch cable.

1. WHITE PAPER
Fiberstore White Paper | Introduction to Mode Conditioning Patch Cable 1
Mode conditioning patch cord (MCP) was developed as a solution for network applications where
Gigabit Ethernet hubs with laser based transmitters are deployed. It is a special fiber optic patch
cord and allows customer upgrading their hardware technology without the cost of upgrading fiber
plant. In addition, MCP significantly improves data signal quality while increasing the transmission
distance. The text will give some detailed information about mode conditioning patch cable.
What Is Mode Conditioning Patch Cable?
A mode conditioning patch cord is a duplex multi-mode patch cord that has a small length of single
mode fiber at the start of the transmission leg, and also a single mode to multi-mode offset fiber
connection part in this leg. There are two multi-mode fibers on one end and one multi-mode and
one single mode fiber on the other end. It is fully compliant with IEEE 802.3z application standards.
Mode conditioning patch cord causes the single mode transceiver to create a launch similar to a
typical multi-mode launch. It is designed for long wavelength Gigabit Ethernet applications. The
following picture shows the construction of a mode conditioning patch cable.
How Does Mode Conditioning Patch Cable Work?
The basic principle behind the cord is that you launch your laser into the small section of single
mode fiber. The launch of the light coming out of the equipment begins on a single mode fiber. The
Introduction to Mode
Conditioning Patch Cable

2. WHITE PAPER
Fiberstore White Paper | Introduction to Mode Conditioning Patch Cable 2
other end of the single mode fiber is coupled to multi-mode section of the cable with the core
offset from the center of the multi-mode fiber. The light is launched on to the multi-mode fiber at a
precise angle, giving the cable its mode conditioning properties. When we use such mode
conditioning fiber optic patch cords, we need to connect the yellow leg which is the color of single
mode to connect the transmit side of the equipment (single mode Gigabit transceiver) while we
connect the orange leg which is the color of multi-mode to the receive side. The picture below
shows how the single mode fiber is coupled to multi-mode section of the cable.
How to Install Mode Conditioning Patch Cable?
To install a mode conditioning patch cable, you need to follow these steps:
 Step1: Connect the yellow leg (single mode connector) of the MCP cable into the transmit bore
of the transceiver.
 Step2: Connect the rest orange legs (multi-mode connectors) of the MCP cable into the receive
bore of the transceiver.
 Step3: At the other end of the patch cord, put all the orange legs (multi-mode connectors) into
the patch panel.
 Step4: Repeat the above three steps for the second transceiver located at the other end of the
network link.
After you have finished all the connection steps above, all the swap of transmit and receiver can
only be done at the cable plant side.
Why Do We Need Mode Conditioning Patch Cable?
Transceiver modules used in Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-LX) launch only single mode (1300nm)
long wave signals, which poses a problem if an existing fiber network utilizes multi-mode cable.
When a single mode signal is launched into a multi-mode fiber a phenomenon known as differential
mode delay (DMD) can create multiple signals within the multi-mode fiber. This effect can confuse
the receiver and produce errors. By allowing the single mode laser launch to be offset away from
the center of the multi-mode fiber, mode conditioning patch cord reduces the effect of such

3. WHITE PAPER
Fiberstore White Paper | Introduction to Mode Conditioning Patch Cable 3
differential mode delay and provides a much higher operational bandwidth by precisely aligning a
single mode termination at the laser transmitter. This is essential for networks using 62.5/125 and
50/125 multi-mode optical fiber and may be specified for current multi-mode networks depending
upon the system requirements.
Mode conditioning patch cables are with various options, from all types of connectors to different
jackets and different lengths. A variety of fiber optic connectors are available for your convenience,
including: LC/UPC, SC/UPC, FC/UPC, ST/UPC, LC/APC, SC/APC, FC/APC, and MTRJ. Mode conditioning
patch cables are built in the form of a simple duplex patch cable, so they can easily be installed in a
system without the need for additional components or hardware. Their length can range from one
meter and up to support virtually any network topography.
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W1B 3HH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 2081441980
Notice: This document is for informational purposes only and does not set forth any warranty, expressed or
implied, concerning any equipment, equipment features, or service offered or to be offered by Fiberstore.
Fiberstore reserves the right to make changes to this document at any time, without notice, and assumes no
responsibility for its use. This information document describes features that may not be currently available.
Contact a Fiberstore sales team for information on feature and product availability.
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