Category: Fiber Transceivers

With the growing demand for high data rates, 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) is now becoming more and more widely adopted. For a 40 GbE network application, precise connectivity is crucial. 40G QSFP (quad small form factor pluggable) portfolio offers customers a wide variety of high-density and low-power 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options. Among them, 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver is a common 40 GbE connectivity option. And here are some things that you need to know about 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceivers.

Introduction

40GBASE-SR4 is a fiber optic interface for multimode fiber of OM classes 3 and 4 with four parallel OM3 or OM4 fibers in both directions. “S” means short, indicating that it is an interface for short distances. The “R” denotes the type of interface with 64B/66B encoding and the numeral 4 indicates that the transmission is carried out over a ribbon fiber with four multimode fibers in every direction. Each lane has a 10 Gbit/s data rate. 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ modules usually use a parallel multimode fiber (MMF) link to achieve 40G. It offers 4 independent transmit and receive channels, each capable of 10G operation for an aggregate data rate of 40G over 100 meters of OM3 MMF or 150 meters of OM4 MMF. It primarily enables high-bandwidth 40G optical links over 12-fiber parallel fiber terminated with MPO/MTP multifiber female connectors.

40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ module can also be used in a 4x10G mode for interoperability with 10GBASE-SR interfaces up to 100 and 150 meters on OM3 and OM4 fibers, respectively. The worry-free 4x10G mode operation is enabled by the optimization of the transmit and receive optical characteristics to prevent receiver overload or unnecessary triggering of alarm thresholds on the 10GBASE-SR receiver, and at the same time is completely interoperable with all standard 40GBASE-SR4 interfaces. The 4x10G connectivity is achieved using an external 12-fiber parallel to 2-fiber duplex breakout cable, which connects the 40GBASE-SR4 module to four 10GBASE-SR optical interfaces. The picture below shows a Mellanox MC2210411-SR4 compatible 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver.

40GBASE-CSR4 QSFP+ module is similar to the 40GBASE-SR4 interface extends supported link lengths to 300m and 400m respectively on laser-optimized OM3 and OM4 multimode fiber cables. Each 10-gigabit lane of this module is compliant to IEEE 10GBASE-SR specifications. This module can be used for native 40G optical links over 12-fiber ribbon cables with MPO/MTP connectors, or in 4x10G mode with ribbon to duplex fiber breakout cables for connectivity to four 10GBASE-SR interfaces. Maximum channel insertion loss allowed is respectively 2.6dB over 300m of OM3 cable or 2.9dB over 400m of OM4 cable.

Conclusion

Fiberstore offers you a wide variety of 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceivers for your high-density and low-power 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options branded by many famous companies like Cisco, Juniper or HP. And we also provide other compatible 40G QSFP+ transceivers, such as 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ transceiver, 40GBASE-ER4 QSFP+ transceiver, 40GBASE-CSR4 QSFP+ transceiver, etc. Every fiber optic transceiver provided by Fiberstore has been tested to ensure its compatibility and interoperability. You can buy from us with confidence.

As a result of data center consolidation, server virtualization, and new applications that require higher data transport rates, 10Gbps infrastructure is becoming overwhelmed by today’s data center requirements, making the shift to 40 and 100 Gbps inevitable, especially in the network aggregation layer and core. How to upgrade the cabling infrastructure and migrate to the 40Gbps era in a cost-effective way? Cisco 40G QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable) bidirectional (BiDi) technology provides a feasible and effective method, which will be introduced in the following text.

What Is 40G QSFP BiDi Transceiver?

Cisco’s innovative 40 Gbps QSFP BiDi transceiver is a pluggable optical transceiver with a duplex LC connector interface for short-reach data communication and interconnect applications. The Cisco BiDi transceiver supports link lengths of 100m and 150m on laser-optimized OM3 and OM4 multimode fibers. It complies with the QSFP MSA specification, enabling customers to use it on all QSFP 40 Gbps platforms to achieve high-density 40 Gigabit Ethernet networks.

How Does 40G QSFP BiDi Transceiver Work?

Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver technology converts four channels each of 10Gbps transmit and receive signals to two bidirectional channels of 20Gbps signals, which means that the Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver has two 20Gbps channels, each transmitted and received simultaneously over two wavelengths on a single MMF strand. The technology uses specialized, multilayer, thin-film dielectric coating and lensing, which allows components to both pass and reflect optical signals at the same time. And it uses Bidirectional Optical Sub-Assembly (BOSA) technology to support two wavelengths (20 Gbps total) on each fiber. The connection can reach 100 meters on OM3 MMF or 150 meters on OM4 MMF, which is the same as 40Gbps SR4. Picture below shows the technology concept of the Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver.

Why Choose 40Gbps QSFP BiDi Transceiver?

The Cisco QSFP BiDi transceiver transmits full-duplex 40Gbps traffic over one dual-fiber LC connector OM3 or OM4 MMF cable. It provides the capability to reuse 10Gbps fiber infrastructure. In other words, it enables data center operators to upgrade to 40Gbps connectivity without making great changes to the previous 10Gbps fiber cable plant. By using the existing 10 Gigabit Ethernet duplex multi-mode fiber (MMF) infrastructure for 40 Gigabit Ethernet, the Cisco BiDi transceiver offers significant cost savings and simplifies data center upgrading. It allows for zero-cost fiber migration by reusing the current 10Gbps cabling for 40Gbps device connectivity. 40Gbps QSFP BiDi transceiver reduces overall costs and installation time for customers migrating data center aggregation links to 40Gbps connections. Using Cisco BiDi transceivers offers 75% less fiber and MPO requirements, reduced cable sprawl and rack footprints, and investment protection with future support for 100 Gbps over duplex fiber.

Conclusion

Cisco 40G QSFP BiDi technology removes 40Gbps cabling cost barriers for migration from 10Gbps to 40Gbps connectivity in data center networks. It is quite a competitive option among all those various choices for 40 Gigabit Ethernet applications, such as QSFP+ transceiver, QSFP+ breakout cable or active optical cable. Compared with them, Cisco 40G QSFP BiDi transceivers provide simpler and less expensive 40Gbps connectivity compared to other 40Gbps transceiver solutions. Anyway, you choose the most appropriate one for your applications.

As the quest for greater bandwidth continues and fibre optic connections within data centres and optic fibre networks increase, these challenges must be met by choosing the right type of connectivity. This is all driven by requirements for additional switching and routing, storage, virtualization, convergence, video-on-demand (VoD) and high performance cloud computing. All of these applications plus other bandwidth intensive applications increase the need for transmission speed and data volume over short distances.

Optic fibre 10G transmission systems are becoming more widely used and accepted and migration paths to 40G and 100G have been specified for optical fibre.

The IEEE 802.3ba 40G / 100G Ethernet standard provides guidance for 40G / 100G transmission with multimode fibre. OM3 and OM4 are the only multimode fibres included in the standard.

Parallel optics technology has become the transmission option of choice in many data centres and labs as it is able to support 10G, 40G, and 100G transmission. For parallel optics to work effectively, it requires the right choice of cable and connector.

Parallel optic interfaces differ from traditional fiber optic communication in that data is simultaneously transmitted and received over multiple optical fibres. In traditional (serial) optical communication, a transceiver on each end of the link contains one transmitter and one receiver. For example, on a duplex channel the transmitter on End A communicates with the receiver on End B and another optic fibre is connected between the transmitter on End B and the receiver on End A.

In parallel optical communication, the devices on either end of the link contain multiple transmitters and receivers, e.g. four transmitters on End A communicate with four receivers on End B. This spreads the data stream over the four optical fibres. This configuration would allow for the operation of a parallel optics transceiver which uses four 2.5 Gb/s transmitters to send one 10 Gb/s signal from A to B. In essence, parallel optical communication is using multiple paths to transmit a signal at a greater data rate than the individual electronics can support. This type of connectivity utilises a ribbon cable type design with all fibres aligned in a straight array, in either a 12 fibre or 24 fibre configuration.

In addition to the cable performance, the choice of physical connection interface is also important. Since parallel-optics technology requires data transmission across multiple fibres simultaneously, a multifibre connector is required. Factory terminated MPO / MTP connectors which have either 12 fibre or 24 fibre array, will support this solution. For example, a 10G system would utilise a single MPO / MTP (12 Fibre) connector between the 2 switches. Modules are placed on the end of the MPO connector to transition from a MPO connector to a 12 Fibre breakout LC duplex or SC duplex cable assembly. This enables connectivity to the switch. 40G and 100G systems require a slightly different configuration.

Difference between MPO and MTP connectors

From the outside there is very little noticeable difference between MPO and MTP connectors. Infact, they are completely compatible and inter-mateable. For example, an MTP trunk cable can plug into an MPO outlet and vice versa.

The main difference is in relation to its optical and mechanical performance. MTP is a registered trademark and design of UsConnec, and provides some advantages over a generic MPO connector. Since MPO / MTP optic fibre alignment is critical to ensure a precise connection there are some benefits in utilising the MTP connector. The MTP connector is a high performance MPO connector with multiple engineered product enhancements to improve optical and mechanical performance when compared to generic MPO connectors.

The MTP optic fibre connector has floating internal ferrule which allows two mated ferrules to maintain contact while under load. In addition, The MTP connector spring design maximizes ribbon clearance for twelve fibre and multifibre ribbon applications to prevent fibre damage.

Overall it provides a more reliable and precise connection.

In addition, it is also important when specifying an MPO/MTP system to ensure the correct polarity options and which cables and outlets have female or male pins.

A specific lengths pre-assembled MTP/MPO Trunk cable with 12 or 24 fibers is delivered to data center for easy installation, because an It is impossible to manually to assemble MPO/MTP plug connector with 12 or 24 fibers on site during installation.MPO-MPO-Patch-cord-10m

The advantages of MPO/MTP Trunk cable with the following advantages

• Higher Quality

Higher quality is usually achieved through factory assembly and inspection of individual parts. A factory-prepared inspection certificate is also useful for longterm documentation and in turn quality assurance purposes.

• Minimum Skew

A crucial factor in achieving a successful parallel optical connection is keeping the signal offset (skew) between the four or ten parallel fibers to an absolute minimum. Only in this way can information be successfully re-synchronized and re-combined at its destination. Factory-assembled trunk cables allow skew to be measured, minimized and logged.

• Shorter Installation Times

Pre-assembled MPO cable systems provide plug-and-play advantages and can be inserted and set up immediately.

This reduces installation time enormously

• Better Protection

Because they are completely assembled at the factory, cables and plug connectors remain completely protected from

environmental influences. Optical fibers that lie open in splice trays are at a minimum exposed to ambient air and may age faster as a result.

• Smaller Cable Volumes

Smaller diameters can be realized in MPO cabling systems that are produced from loose tube cables. The results are

correspondingly smaller cable volumes, better conditions for acclimatization in the data center and a lower fire load.

• Lower Overall Costs

When splice solutions are used, a few factors that are not always foreseeable boost total costs: time-intensive,

equipment-intensive splicing, needs for specialty works, bulk cables, pigtails, splice trays, splicing protection, holders. In contrast, pre-assembled trunk cables not only bring technical advantages, but usually result in lower total costs than splicing solutions.

SFP+, an enhanced version of SFP (small form-factor pluggable), can support data rates of 10 Gbit/s. 10G SFP+ transceiver is a popular industry format supported by many network component vendors. It plays an important role in today’s network applications. There are different types of SFP+ modules, like 10GBASE-SR SFP+ module, 10GBASE-LR SFP+ module, 10GBASE-LRM SFP+ module, 10GBASE-ER SFP+ module, and 10GBASE-ZR SFP+ module. This article will introduce one of them, 10GBASE-LR SFP+ module.

Introduction

10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver is designed for single-mode fiber and operates at a nominal wavelength of 1310nm. The 10GBASE-LR transmitter is implemented with a distributed feedback laser (DFB). DFB lasers are more expensive than VCSELs but their high power and longer wavelength allow efficient coupling into the small core of single-mode fiber over greater distances. Compared with 10GBASE-SR, the maximum range of 10GBASE-LR is 10 km.

Features

10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver is a hot-swappable SFP+ module that plugs into SFP+ slots on switches. You can connect a 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver while the system is powered on without causing any problems. This permits modules to be added or removed without interrupting the network. The SFP+ form factor is smaller than other form factors such as Xenpak, X2, and 10G XFP, ensuring lower costs, lower power disruption, and higher port density. It provides the necessary signal amplification for data to be transmitted to the network cable from the port, and vice versa, for the port to receive data from the network cable. 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver supports 10G Ethernet, which results in very fast data transmissions of up to 10 Gbit/s. This is 10 times faster than Gigabit Ethernet and enables the switch to handle faster and higher data transmissions, making it very suitable for business needs.

Two Types of 10GBASE-LR SFP+

SFP-10G-LR-S 10GBASE-LR SFP+: The Cisco SFP-10G-LR-S compatible 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver, as shown in the following picture, supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF) (G.652). It is implemented with a DFB laser to support longer distances. And it uses a duplex LC connector.

SFPP-10GE-LR 10GBASE-LR SFP+: The Juniper SFPP-10GE-LR compatible 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver, as shown in the following picture, is guaranteed 100% compatible and functional in its intended equipments. This 1310nm DFB 10Gbps SFP+ transceiver is designed to transmit and receive optical data over single mode optical fiber for link length of 10km. Every SFPP-10GE-LR is environmentally tested in its specific port/platform prior to shipping to ensure that they are in perfect physical and working condition.

Conclusion

SFP+ transceiver is widely used to support communication standards including synchronous optical networking (SONET)/synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), gigabit ethernet and fiber channel. Fiberstore manufactures a complete range of SFP+ transceivers. Fiberstore 10GBASE SFP+ module series transceivers offer a wide variety of 10G Ethernet connectivity options for data centres, enterprise wiring closets, and service provider transport applications. All of our 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceivers are tested and fully compatible with major brands like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Brocade and Finisar. We offer high performance and low cost 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceivers to fulfill customers’ requirements.

A dual-rate optical transceiver means that an optical transceiver can support two different data rates. Users could use dual-rate optical transceivers to achieve the full forward and backward compatibility of their systems, which helps them save a lot. The common dual-rate optical transceivers in today’s market is the 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceiver. In this post, we will give a brief introduction to this kind of dual-rate transceiver.

Dual-Rate 1/10G SFP+ Transceiver

1/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceivers are designed for use in 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet links over single-mode fiber (SMF) or multi-mode fiber (MMF). They are compliant with SFF-8431, IEEE 802.3-2005 10GBASE-SR/SW, 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX. Digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) or digital optical monitoring (DOM) functions are available in dual-rate SFP+ transceivers via a 2-wire serial interface as specified in SFF-8472, so users can monitor many parameters of the transceiver module in real-time. There are many different vendors to supply 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceiver, but the standards and protocols which they complied with are the same. The picture below shows an Intel E10GSFPSR 1/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceiver.

Two Types of Dual-Rate SFP+ Transceiver

1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-LX SFP+ transceivers are designed for use in 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet links up to 10km over SMF. They are compliant with SFF-8431, IEEE 802.3-2005 10GBASE-LR/LW and 1000BASE-LX. Digital diagnostics functions are available via a 2-wire serial interface, as specified in SFF-8472. 1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-LX SFP+ transceivers, such as Finisar FTLX1471D3BCV and Intel E10GSFPLR 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-LX SFP+ transceivers, are for applications specifically designed for 10G SFP+ ports and 1G/10G SFP+ ports. The FTLX1471D3BCV is a “limiting module”, which means it employs a limiting receiver. Host board designers using an EDC PHY IC should follow the IC manufacturer’s recommended settings for interoperating the hostboard EDC PHY with a limiting receiver SFP+ module. These transceivers are RoHS compliant.

1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-SR and 1000BASE-SX SFP+ transceivers are designed for use in 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet links over MMF. They are compliant with SFF-8431, IEEE 802.3-2012 10GBASE-SR/SW and 1000BASE-SX. Digital diagnostics functions are available via a 2-wire serial interface, as specified in SFF-8472. 1G/10G dual-rate 10GBASE-SR and 1000BASE-SX SFP+ transceivers, such as Finisar FTLX8571D3BCV, Finisar Intel FTLX8571D3BCV-IT, and Intel E10GSFPSR SFP+ transceivers, are for applications specifically designed for 10G SFP+ ports and 1G/10GSFP+ ports. The FTLX8574D3BCV is a “limiting module”, i.e., it employs a limiting receiver. Host board designers using an EDC PHY IC should follow the IC manufacturer’s recommended settings for interoperability with an SFP+ limiting module.

Conclusion

A 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ can be used in both 1 Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet links which eases the transition from 1Gb/s to 10Gb/s systems. This kind of SFP+ transceivers provide you a cost-effective solution for upgrading to higher needs of data rates. Moreover, 40G is becoming more and more popular and 100G is developing rapidly, thus the market of dual-rate optical transceivers will be promising. Fiberstore manufactures and supplies a complete range of SFP+ transceivers. Dual-rate 1G/10G SFP+ provided by Fiberstore can be designed to be compatible with many major brands, such as Cisco, HP, Juniper etc. And every optical transceiver has been tested to ensure our customers to receive the optics with superior quality.