IEEE 802.3 10Base-FL

The 10Base-FL standard forms an extension ofFOIRL and is backward compatible with this specification. 10Base-FL describes all functions for data transmission from a medium attachment unit( MAU), better known as a transceiver, to an active star coupler and connections between star couplers.

In the 10Base-FL standard, data is transmitted asynchronously and is essentially the same as FOIRL specifications. In contrast to FOIRL, a maximum of five repeaters are required for a 3- level network hierarchy. The maximum length of a 10Base-FL link segment is 2,000 m, and transmission takes place on a 62.5/125 µm multimode fiber with a wavelength of 850 nm. The 10Base-FL signals are not compatible with the specifications defined in the 10Base- FP and 10Base-FB standards.

For this reason, a repeater or bridge must be used to connect between the individual standards. The end device is connected to the 10Base-FL fiber either directly via the 10Base-FL Ethernet transceiver integrated on the Ethernetcontroller or via an AUI interface using a drop cable, whereby the external fiber transceiver enables adaptation to the 10Base-FL standard.