The typical receive power for a 10GBASE-SR SFP+ multimode fiber module ranges from approximately -9.5 dBm to -3 dBm.

Overview

A 10GBASE-SR SFP+ module is a short-reach 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceiver designed for multimode fiber (MMF) networks, operating at 850 nm using VCSEL laser technology and duplex LC connectors . It is optimized for short-distance links, typically up to 300 meters on OM3 fiber and 400 meters on OM4 fiber . These modules are widely used in data centers, enterprise networks, and high-density switch environments where low latency and cost efficiency are critical .

Receive Power Specification

The receive power, also called receiver sensitivity, is the minimum optical power required at the module's input to maintain reliable 10GbE communication. For 10GBASE-SR SFP+ modules:

• Minimum receive power (sensitivity): approximately -9.5 dBm
• Maximum receive power: approximately -3 dBm This range ensures that the module can reliably detect the optical signal while accounting for fiber attenuation, connector losses, and other link impairments . The exact values may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and specific module model, but these figures are standard for IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-SR multimode transceivers.

Link Budget Considerations

The link power budget is calculated as the difference between the transmitter output power and the receiver sensitivity. For 10GBASE-SR:

• Transmitter output power: typically -1 dBm to +4 dBm
• Receiver sensitivity: typically -9.5 dBm This provides a link budget of roughly 8–13 dB, which is sufficient for short-reach multimode fiber links up to 300–400 meters depending on fiber type and quality . Additional losses from splices, connectors, and patch panels should be considered when designing the network.

Summary

For a 10GBASE-SR SFP+ multimode fiber module:

• Wavelength: 850 nm
• Fiber type: OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber
• Maximum distance: 300 m (OM3), 400 m (OM4)
• Receive power (sensitivity): -9.5 dBm minimum, -3 dBm maximum
• Typical link budget: 8–13 dB These specifications ensure reliable 10GbE operation in short-reach multimode fiber deployments commonly found in modern data centers and enterprise networks .