Media Converters
Lantronix M/E-TX Series Mini 100Base-TX to 100Base-FX Media Converters
The M/E-TX Series are mini Layer 1 media converters that retransmit 100Base-TX copper onto 100Base-FX fiber without store-and-forward delay, offered with multimode, single-mode or open SFP optics in a housing 65% smaller than a standard converter.
Overview
About the Lantronix M/E-TX Series
The M/E-TX Series (also written ME-TX) is the simplest way to add fiber to a copper-rich Fast Ethernet network. Units work in pairs to bridge a fiber segment between two copper devices, or singly to connect a copper port to fiber-equipped equipment. Because the converter operates at Layer 1, it retransmits the signal without the store-and-forward packet inspection delay of a Layer 2 device.
The copper side is a fixed 100 Mbps 100Base-TX port with auto-negotiation and Auto-MDI/MDIX. Fiber choices are 1300 nm multimode to 2 km with an 11.0 dB budget on ST (M/E-TX-FX-01) or SC (M/E-TX-FX-01(SC)), 1310 nm single-mode SC to 20 km with 16.0 dB (M/E-TX-FX-01(SM)), or an empty 100Base-X SFP slot (M/E-TX-FX-01(SFP)). The 46 x 85 x 22 mm housing is, per Lantronix, 65% smaller than a standard media converter.
Power comes from an external 12 VDC, 0.5 A supply into a 7.5-13.9 VDC input, and the unit draws 2.6 W. Operating range is 0°C to 50°C with 5% to 95% non-condensing humidity. Mounting options include WMBM wall, DRBM DIN-rail and RMBM rack brackets, plus the 18-slot M-MCR-01 powered chassis with 19-inch rack ears.
Key capabilities
- Layer 1, low latency
- Signals are retransmitted without store-and-forward packet inspection, avoiding the delay a Layer 2 converter or switch adds.
- Open SFP version
- M/E-TX-FX-01(SFP) has an empty 100Base-X SFP slot for optics beyond the fixed multimode and single-mode models.
- Up to 20 km single-mode
- M/E-TX-FX-01(SM) runs 1310 nm over single-mode SC fiber to 20 km with a 16.0 dB link budget.
- 65% smaller housing
- At 46 x 85 x 22 mm, Lantronix describes the converter as 65% smaller than a standard media converter, for tight spaces.
- Pairs or single units
- Use two units to carry a copper link over fiber, or one unit to connect a copper port directly to fiber equipment.
How to choose the right M/E-TX Series part number
Every model converts 100Base-TX copper to 100Base-FX fiber; choose by fiber. M/E-TX-FX-01 is 1300 nm multimode with ST connectors and M/E-TX-FX-01(SC) uses SC, both to 2 km with an 11.0 dB budget. M/E-TX-FX-01(SM) is 1310 nm single-mode SC to 20 km at 16.0 dB. M/E-TX-FX-01(SFP) has an empty 100Base-X SFP slot; add a 100 Mbps SFP module. Note the copper port is 100 Mbps only, so 10 Mbps devices are not supported.
Configure & order
Find your M/E-TX Series part number
Every orderable M/E-TX Series configuration, filtered by the specs that actually differ between them. Pick what you need on the left and the matching part numbers appear here.
Complete the deployment
Accessories, renewals & add-ons
Everything sold for the M/E-TX Series, organized by what it does — power, mounting & enclosures, chassis & shelves — each with why you'd add it.
Power
1 item
SPS-2460-SA
SPS-2460-SA
Stand-alone wide input external power supply for all Lantronix stand-alone media converters and some chassis.
$248.00
Ships on backorder
Mounting & enclosures
3 items
WMBM
WMBM
3.3” [84 mm] wall mount bracket kit for “Mini” Media Converters. It is listed as a compatible accessory for the M/GE-PSW-PSE-01 series.
$24.00
57 in stock
RMBM
RMBM
Rack mount bracket for mini media converters. It is used with E-MCR-05 and RMS19-SA4-02.
$28.00
Ships on backorder
DRBM
DRBM
3.3” [84 mm] DIN Rail Mount Bracket for “Mini” Media Converters. It fits all “Mini” Media Converters.
$28.00
Ships on backorder
Chassis & shelves
1 item
M-MCR-01
M-MCR-01
18-slot powered chassis for non-hardened Mini Media Converters. It includes 19″ rack mount ears and uses one AC power connection for multiple deployed Minis.
Compatibility taken from the Lantronix part-number tables for the M/E-TX Series. Don't see what you need? Request a quote — we can source the full Lantronix catalog.
Where the M/E-TX Series is used
- Adding fiber segments to copper Fast Ethernet networks
- Latency-sensitive 100 Mbps links that avoid store-and-forward
- Single-mode 100 Mbps links between buildings up to 20 km
- Tight equipment spaces needing a very small converter
M/E-TX Series datasheets & documentation
M/E-TX Series FAQ
Does the M/E-TX support 10 Mbps Ethernet devices?
No. The copper port is 100Base-TX at a fixed 100 Mbps data rate, with auto-negotiation and Auto-MDI/MDIX. It is designed for Fast Ethernet links on both sides of the conversion.
Is the M/E-TX a store-and-forward converter?
No. It is a Layer 1 design that retransmits Fast Ethernet signals without store-and-forward packet inspection, so it avoids the delays introduced by Layer 2 devices.
How far can M/E-TX media converters reach over fiber?
2 km over multimode fiber at 1300 nm with ST or SC connectors, and 20 km over single-mode fiber at 1310 nm with SC connectors. The SFP model's reach depends on the 100Base-X module installed.
What power does the M/E-TX need?
An external AC/DC supply providing +12 VDC at 0.5 A. The input range is 7.5 to 13.9 VDC and consumption is 2.6 W. The SPS-2460-SA supply is listed as a compatible accessory.
