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Key Analysis of 400G QSFP28 Optical Modules

DateTime:2018/4/12 0:00:00

Sinovo telecom,which professioanl in optical communication modules and VCSEL technology, today introduced several new products to be demonstrated inSept., the industry’s largest optical networking and communication conference and exhibition. The products include 400G QSFP-DD LR8 and FR8 transceivers, a 400G QSFP-DD active optical cable, a 100G serial QSFP28 transceiver, and two 50G SFP56 transceivers supporting a variety of next generation of Ethernet applications.

These new form factors and data rates represent the latest advances in networking technology, geared toward the next generation of optics that will operate at 50 and 100 Gb/s per lane.  The 50G and 100G lanes use PAM4 encoding instead of the traditional non-return-to-zero (NRZ) format, and are crucial to enable hyperscale data centers, service providers and enterprises to meet tomorrow’s voracious bandwidth demands.

The QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Interface Double Density) is the latest module form factor targeting 400G data rates. The design provides an eight-lane electrical interface, compared to traditional single or four-lane interfaces, thereby increasing bandwidth, channel capacity and port density. Defined by the QSFP-DD MSA Group, this module addresses the need for high-density, high-speed networking solutions in a backward compatible form factor. 

400G QSFP-DD LR8 and FR8 Transceivers

unveiling the industry’s first demonstration of a 400G QSFP-DD LR8 transceiver, whose 10km reach is a critical requirement for service provider applications. Using 50G PAM4 technology, the demonstration will show an optical module transmitting data over 10km of duplex single mode fiber (SMF). In addition to the 10km LR8 module being demonstrated, a 2km FR8 variant of this module will also be available from Finisar, primarily for intra-data center applications.  Both the LR8 and FR8 modules leverage DML transmitter technology, providing a low power, low risk, cost-effective solution for 400G.

400G QSFP-DD Active Optical Cable 

Sinovo telecom first introduce 400G active optical cable (AOC) in the QSFP-DD form factor. Leveraging VCSEL technology to achieve the lowest power dissipation and lowest cost structure, this product provides a desirable alternative to copper cables, which cannot scale to the required cable lengths at these high data rates.

 QSFP-DD will become the de facto standard for 400G just as other QSFP form factors have done so at 40G and 100G.

100G Serial QSFP28 FR Transceiver

Sinovo is introducing a 100G serial FR transceiver in the popular QSFP28 form factor for inter- data center, transport and router applications with 2km reaches. While leveraging a standard 4x25G electrical interface, so that it plugs into standard QSFP28 slots, this module employs just one serial 100G PAM4 optical channel. Once deployed in sufficient volume, it is expected to replace existing 100G QSFP28 CWDM4 modules. Finisar also plans to introduce a 500m DR version of this module. Four of these FR or DR modules will be able to be used in a fan-out configuration with an IEEE standard 400G DR4 module, thus providing both 100G point-to-point and 100G-to-400G fan-out connectivity at 100G per lane.

50G SFP56 SR and LR Transceivers 

Enabling the next generation of 50G single-lane optical connections,Sinovois also introducing the industry’s first 50G SFP56 SR and LR transceivers, using serial PAM4 technology. These modules represent the next key step in the highly popular SFP+ family of optical modules that have become ubiquitous in worldwide enterprise, data center and service provider networks.  Primary applications for these products include server-to-switch and switch-to-switch 50G Ethernet connections, and future 5G wireless applications.

Sinovo also promoted the SFP56 SR module transmitting over 100 meters of OM4 multi-mode fiber (MMF), and the SFP56 LR module transmitting over 10km of SMF. Leveraging in-house vertically integrated optics and IC’s, these modules support interoperability with previous generations of 25G SFP28 and 10G SFP+ optical transceivers. Both modules comply with the corresponding 50GBASE-R specifications as defined in the IEEE standards and offer 50G PAM4 electrical and optical interfaces.