Are You Ready for 100G Connections?

With the fast development of technology, people never stop chasing higher speed connections for data transmission, even though 10G connections, such as 10G SFP+ transceiver, are fast enough. Therefore, 100G connections have been placed for magnificent growth in data center with the introduction of the latest 100G optical modules, which has made it possible for data center network architecture to be free from bandwidth constraints. Moreover, according to the statistic from market research company like IHS, it is said 2016 is the year of 100G modules. So, are you ready for 100G connections? This passage will provide some information about 100G connections from the perspective of QSFP28 modules, so that you can be well-prepared for the upcoming 100G era.

 

QSFP28 (“Q” for “Quad”.) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver which is widely used for the transmission and reception of light and electricity data in fiber communication. It is the exact same footprint as the 40G QSFP+, but QSFP28 transceiver is a higher-density and higher-speed product solution for applications in telecommunications than 40G QSFP+. Like 40G QSFP+ using four 10Gbps lanes, 100G QSFP28 uses four 25Gbps lanes with parallel technology, eliminating the costly gearbox found in the other version of 100G transceivers, such as CFP, CFP2, and the CPAK. Furthermore, 100G SFP28 increases density, decreases power consumption and price per bit, allowing it to become a more universal data center form factor, when compared to other transceiver alternatives.

 

There are two basic versions of QSFP28 modules—100GBase-SR4 QSFP28 module (QSFP28 SR4) and 100GBase-LR4 QSFP28 module (QSFP28 LR4), which are respectively used for multimode fiber and single-mode fiber 100G applications.

 

100GBase-SR4 QSFP28, compatible with Ethernet Gigabit transmits data over four channels with each channel 25Gbps on a 12-fiber MTP/MPO OM4 multimode fiber. Its maximum transmission distance is 100 m at 103.1Gbps. This kind of module is a vertically integrated solution with power dissipation well under 3.5 W. It can not only support 100GBase-SR4, but also 4x25Gbps breakout applications, like 100G QSFP28 to 4×25Gbps SFP28 breakout cables, meeting the harshest external operating conditions including temperature, humidity and EMI interference. The following picture shows a Finisar FTLC9551REPM QSFP28.

 

 

The 100GBase-LR4 QSFP28 is a hot-swappable, low-voltage (3.3 V) digital diagnostic Ethernet optical transceiver that supports high-speed serial links over single-mode optical fiber at signaling rate up to 100Gbps. It complies with the QSFP28 MSA and IEEE 802.3ba Clause 88 100GBase-LR4 requirements. According to the following image of its working principle, this module converts four input channels of LAN WDM optical signals then multiplexes them into a single fiber, and conversely on the receiver side. The high performance cooled LAN WDM EA-DFB transmitters and high sensitivity PIN receivers, proving 100GBase-LR4 QSFP28 superior performance for 100GbE applications up to 10km links.

 

The QSFP28 will be applied in two major areas—telecom (includes LTE and FTTx) and data center. Data center may be the main battle for 100G optics because data center transceivers account for 65% of the overall 10G/40G/100G fiber optic transceiver market. In 2016, the global data center construction market will keep growing which means that the 100G optics application will be more wider. Geographically, North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific (mainly China) are the main market for 100G transceiver with their increasing demand for deployment of 100G equipment.

 

As the technology of QSFP28 transceiver is relatively matured, making its price lower. There is no doubt that QSFP28 will be a new trend in data communication, so do other 100G transceivers. As a professional manufacturer and supplier in optical communication industry, besides the 100G QSFP28 modules we have mentioned above, FS.COM provides a complete range of 100G optical transceivers for your applications, like CFP or CFP2 modules. The prices of our modules are much affordable than the similar products on the market and they can be compatible with various of major brands. If you have any requirement, please visit FS.COM or contact sales@fs.com.