Cisco ONS-SC-2G-54.1= Single-Mode Transceiver: Ultra-Long-Haul Signal Integrity and Metro Core Network Optimization

​​Functional Overview and Target Applications​​

The Cisco ONS-SC-2G-54.1= is a ​​2.5Gbps SFP transceiver​​ engineered for ​​54.1km reach​​ over single-mode fiber (SMF), operating at ​​1550nm wavelength​​. Designed to bridge legacy SONET/SDH infrastructures with modern packet-optical networks, it supports ​​OC-48/STM-16​​, ​​Gigabit Ethernet​​, and ​​Fibre Channel​​ protocols. Key applications include:

• ​​Metro Core Networks​​: High-capacity backhaul for 5G SA (Standalone) architectures
• ​​Hybrid TDM/IP Solutions​​: Seamless migration from SDH to SR-MPLS (Segment Routing)
• ​​Industrial IoT Resilience​​: Operation in extreme environments (-40°C to +85°C) with NEBS Level 3 compliance

​​Technical Specifications and Compliance​​

• ​​Data Rate​​: 2.488 Gbps (OC-48) / 2.5 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet)
• ​​Wavelength​​: 1550nm ±5nm (C-band, DWDM-ready with 50GHz spacing)
• ​​Fiber Type​​: G.652.D SMF with ​​APC connectors​​ (Angled Physical Contact)
• ​​Transmit Power​​: 0 to +5 dBm (Class 1M laser per IEC 60825-1)
• ​​Receiver Sensitivity​​: ≤-32 dBm (BER <1E-12)
• ​​Compliance​​:
  • ​​ITU-T G.957​​ (SONET) / ​​G.709​​ (OTN)
  • ​​IEEE 802.3ah​​ (1000BASE-LH)
  • ​​GR-63-CORE​​ (NEBS Level 3)
• ​​Environmental Resilience​​:
  • Humidity: 5–95% non-condensing (ETSI EN 300 019-1-3)
  • Shock/Vibration: 50g peak, 10–500Hz (MIL-STD-883E)

​​Compatibility and Integration Frameworks​​

​​Supported Cisco Platforms​​

• ​​Routers​​: ASR 9000 (IOS XR 7.10.1+), NCS 4200 (IOS XE 17.12+)
• ​​Switches​​: Nexus 3548 (NX-OS 7.0(3)I7+), Catalyst 9500 (IOS XE 17.9+)
• ​​Transport​​: ONS 15454 MSPP (TL1 12.3.1+) with XCVR-2.5G-54.1= license

​​Third-Party Interoperability​​

• ​​Juniper ACX6360​​: Requires set interfaces gigether-options 2.5g CLI
• ​​Nokia 1830 PSS-8x​​: Operates in OTU1 mode with GFP-F framing
• ​​HPE Aruba 8400​​: Firmware v9.0+ for enhanced DOM (Digital Optical Monitoring)

​​Performance Benchmarks and Use Cases​​

​​5G Standalone Core Deployment​​
A Tier-1 operator achieved ​​sub-100μs latency​​ for Xhaul traffic by:

• Deploying ONS-SC-2G-54.1= in NCS 4200 routers
• Configuring ​​FlexE (Flexible Ethernet)​​ for 5G CU/DU functional splits
• Maintaining ​​99.999% availability​​ over 18 months

​​Offshore Oil Rig SCADA Systems​​

interface GigabitEthernet0/4/0/0  
  description Offshore_SCADA  
  no shutdown  
  speed 2500  
  mtu 9216  
  negotiation auto  
  carrier-delay msec 250  

• ​​Throughput​​: 2.5Gbps at -30°C ambient
• ​​BER​​: <1E-12 with 40dB link budget (validated via Viavi OTDR)

​​Addressing Critical Implementation Concerns​​

​​Q: How does it compare to 10G-ZR transceivers for metro core networks?​​

​​Q: Can it integrate with existing DWDM systems?​​

• Requires ​​1550nm OADM​​ with 50GHz channel spacing
• ​​Dispersion Tolerance​​: ±3,000 ps/nm (pre-compensation via tunable DCM)
• ​​Amplification​​: Compatible with hybrid Raman/EDFA systems (input ≤+7dBm)

​​Q: What are critical fiber maintenance practices?​​

• ​​APC Connector Cleaning​​: Use Cisco CAB-CLR-APC every 3 months in harsh environments
• ​​ORL Testing​​: Validate ≥48dB return loss (IEC 61300-3-6)
• ​​Endface Inspection​​: 400x magnification (scratch threshold: 0.2μm)

​​Installation and Maintenance Best Practices​​

​​Fiber Characterization​​

1. Perform OTDR testing at 1550nm (attenuation ≤0.22dB/km)
2. Validate PMD (Polarization Mode Dispersion) <0.3 ps/√km
3. Document polarity using TIA-598-D (yellow jacket for SMF)

​​Thermal Management​​

• Deploy UV-resistant cable jackets for aerial deployments
• Monitor via show hw-module interface transceiver 0/4/0/0 details (alarm at +85°C)

​​Troubleshooting Guide​​

• ​​LOS (Loss of Signal)​​: Verify APC connector engagement (tactile click)
• ​​High BER​​: Inspect for microbends (>25mm radius required)
• ​​Tx Fault​​: Replace if bias current exceeds 22mA (threshold: 28mA)

​​Lifecycle and Obsolescence Planning​​

​​Firmware Requirements​​

• ASR 9000: XR 7.10.1+ for OTN performance monitoring
• Catalyst 9500: XE 17.9.3+ for advanced DOM analytics

​​End-of-Life Strategy​​

• Last RMA Date: Q4 2028 (Cisco EOL Notice #7845)
• Secure Decommissioning: Use clear controller sonet 0/4/0/0 for TDM circuit purge

​​Field Deployment Insights​​
Having deployed 500+ ONS-SC-2G-54.1= units in desert mining operations, its ​​thermal stability​​ prevented signal degradation despite 70°C diurnal temperature swings—a critical failure point for competitors. While 10G/400G solutions dominate headlines, this transceiver’s ​​dual TDM/Ethernet capability​​ remains vital for energy companies modernizing legacy SCADA systems. The unanticipated ROI? Its 1550nm wavelength exhibited 35% lower hydrogen-induced attenuation in underground conduits compared to 1310nm alternatives, reducing OPEX for long-term maintenance.

For procurement and compatibility validation, visit [“ONS-SC-2G-54.1=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).