Allied Telesis AT-SPBD20LC/I-13 – TAA Industrial 1G BiDi SFP 20km 1310nm LC

Overview

The Allied Telesis AT-SPBD20LC/I-13 is a TAA-compliant industrial-grade 1000BASE-BX BiDi SFP transceiver with a 20-kilometer reach over a single singlemode fiber strand using an LC connector. Operating at a 1310nm transmit wavelength, this module pairs with the complementary AT-SPBD20LC/I-14 (1490nm TX) to form a bidirectional link over one fiber rather than two. The industrial temperature rating (-40°C to +85°C) qualifies this SFP for deployment in harsh outdoor, transportation, and industrial automation environments. TAA compliance makes it eligible for U.S. government procurement.

Description

BiDi (bidirectional) SFP modules transmit and receive on a single fiber strand by using different wavelengths for each direction. The AT-SPBD20LC/I-13 transmits at 1310nm and receives at 1490nm. Its paired counterpart, the AT-SPBD20LC/I-14, transmits at 1490nm and receives at 1310nm. One module from each part number must be used at opposite ends of the fiber link to establish a working connection.

Single-fiber BiDi operation reduces the fiber count required for a point-to-point gigabit link from two strands to one. In environments where fiber capacity is limited — such as conduit-constrained outdoor runs, leased dark fiber where strand count is metered, or existing installations where only one fiber strand remains available — BiDi modules allow full-duplex gigabit connectivity without re-cabling.

The 20km reach over OS2 9/125µm singlemode fiber is sufficient for metropolitan area, inter-building campus, and long-haul industrial network links. The LC connector is the current industry standard for singlemode SFP transceivers, compatible with standard LC duplex patch cords used in simplex (single-fiber) mode by connecting only one strand.

The industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C allows this transceiver to operate in outdoor enclosures, transportation hubs, utility substations, oil and gas facilities, and other environments where ambient temperatures exceed the 0°C to 70°C range of commercial-grade SFPs. Standard commercial SFPs can fail or perform unreliably below 0°C — the AT-SPBD20LC/I-13 is specified for reliable operation across the full industrial range.

TAA compliance confirms the module is manufactured in a Trade Agreements Act-designated country, qualifying it for U.S. federal procurement. Creation Networks carries both the -13 and -14 variants. Visit creationnetworks.net to order or request a quote for quantity deployments.

Key Features

• TAA Compliant: Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements for U.S. federal, state, and local government procurement under GSA schedules and similar contract vehicles.
• Single-Fiber BiDi Operation: Transmits and receives over one singlemode fiber strand, cutting per-link fiber consumption in half compared to standard dual-fiber SFP transceivers.
• 20km Singlemode Reach: Supports point-to-point gigabit links up to 20 kilometers over OS2 9/125µm singlemode fiber — suitable for campus, metro, and industrial backbone links.
• Industrial Temperature Range: Rated -40°C to +85°C operating temperature, enabling reliable deployment in outdoor enclosures, transportation facilities, and industrial environments where commercial-grade SFPs are insufficient.
• 1310nm TX / 1490nm RX Wavelength: Pairs with the AT-SPBD20LC/I-14 (1490nm TX / 1310nm RX) to form a complete BiDi link — wavelength pairing must be observed when ordering both ends of a link.
• LC Connector: Uses the standard LC connector format compatible with the majority of singlemode fiber patch panels and switch SFP ports in current installations.
• 1000BASE-BX Standard: Complies with IEEE 802.3ah 1000BASE-BX10, ensuring standards-based interoperability in gigabit BiDi deployments.

Typical Applications

• Outdoor and Utility Installations: Connecting switches in outdoor enclosures or utility substations where temperatures drop below 0°C and a commercial-grade SFP would not meet the operating environment specification.
• Transportation Infrastructure: Linking switches in rail stations, highway toll facilities, or airport access points where fiber conduit capacity is limited and single-fiber BiDi operation is preferred.
• Dark Fiber Leased Links: Maximizing value from leased single-strand dark fiber circuits by enabling full-duplex gigabit connectivity without paying for a second fiber strand.
• Industrial Automation Backbone: Providing long-distance gigabit connectivity between industrial switches in manufacturing plants, refineries, or processing facilities with wide temperature variation.
• Government Campus Fiber Extensions: Extending TAA-compliant gigabit links across a government campus using existing single-strand singlemode fiber runs between buildings.

Technical Specifications

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