What Is an Optical Module?

On an optical network, a sender needs to convert electrical signals into optical signals before sending them to a receiver, and the receiver needs to convert received optical signals into electrical signals. An optical module is a component that completes electrical/optical conversion on an optical network. Figure 1-1 shows the structure of an optical module.

Figure 1-1 Structure of an optical module (using an SFP/eSFP optical module as an example)

1. Handle

2. Receiver

3. Transmitter

4. Shell

5. Label

6. Dust plug

7. Spring

8. Connector