Fast New Connections: New generation CMOS Active Pixel Sensors with 60 (or more) megapixels demand faster technologies to get the data from the camera into the computer. 10 Gigabit Ethernet (officially IEEE Standard 802.3ae, commonly shortened to 10GbE or 10GigE) is the best technology for distances beyond the speed and distance limitations of USB 3.0. 10GbE comes in two cabling types - twisted pair copper cabling (10GBASE-T), or optical fiber cabling (10GBASE-SR). Optical fiber can greater distances than copper cabling. At the device, such as an SBIG Aluma camera with 10GbE capability or the Personal Computer with a 10Gigabit SFP+ network card or adapter, we use industry standard 10GBASE-SR transceivers (transmitter/receivers) to convert the electrical signals from the device into infra-red light for the fiber. The SFP+ (small form-factor pluggable +) transceiver is about the size of a finger, and slots into a socket in the device. The SFP+ socket is designed to hold the transceiver using a latching mechanism - just push the transceiver into the socket all the way until it clicks into place. It has a latching mechanism to stay in place, and can be removed. It also has a latch to retain the cable. The SFP+ 10GBASE-SR transceiver connects to 10Gbps Duplex Multi-Mode Fiber Optic Cable. The cable is Aqua (turquoise) in color, and has a LC connector on both ends, with two fibers, one for transmit, one for receive. Sometimes you will see a OM4 50/125um designation on it. CAUTION: Don't look into a powered-up optical transceiver or end of the cable, as infrared laser light may be present. The fiber optic cable is flexible, but should not be bent tightly. Usually the manufacturer will specify a minimum bend radius - so don't snap it tightly around corners. The LC connectors on each end have small round caps. You need to remove the caps before inserting it into the transceiver. The transceiver will usually make a click sound, and there is a latch to retain the cable. Troubleshooting problems: #1 the SFP+ transceiver isn't pushed in all the way. Push until it's latch clicks. #2 you forgot to take the cap out of the fiber side of the transceiver. Usually it is made of black rubber or plastic and needs to be removed before you can insert the cable. #3 you forgot to remove the tiny round caps off the end of the LC connectors on the end of the cable.
