Eoptolink and SENKO announce the Next Generation of 1.6TB/s Pluggable Optical Modules using SN and SN-MT optical connectivity

Hudson, MA, April 19th, 2023 – Data centers are undergoing an infrastructure transformation, requiring even higher speeds, greater scalability, and higher levels of reliability. This unquenchable thirst for data ultimately culminates at the optical transceiver where data rates of 100G per lane are no longer adequate to satisfy demand.

OSFP-XD (“eXtra Dense”) is one of the first form factors to achieve data rates of 1.6TB with 100G/lane. By doubling the number of electrical and optical lanes from 8 to 16, the OSFP-XD offers 1.6T density with a configuration of 16 lanes (100 Gb/s) and 3.2 Tb/s density with 16 lanes (200 Gb/s in the future). OSFP-XD with 3.2TB/s will allow for a greater faceplate density of 51.2T switches or be sufficient for 102.4T switches in the same 1RU form factor.

The SN and SN-MT connectors allow for optimum packing density and enhanced breakout capability of 4x400G and 2x800G from a single 1.6T module without needing costly fanout cables or shuffle cassettes. SN-MT is considerably smaller than dual MPO alternatives, and this reduced footprint facilitates improved airflow to the OSFP-XD heatsink.

SN-MT delivers a four-fold capacity increase compared with QSFP-DD 400G-based transceivers enabling switch manufacturers to maintain the same footprint whilst increasing capacity for their end customers.

“We are pleased to provide a high density, scalable optical connector solution using SN and SN-MT that facilitates ‘direct-break out’ for flexible infrastructure design, enhancing Eoptolink’s 1.6TB transceiver deployment into the hyperscale data center market. “Says Yohei Sato, Vice President of Sales, Senko Advanced Components.

“We selected the SN connector interface and the OSFP-XD form factor for the first of our 1.6Tb/s transceiver designs. The 4x SN configuration is an excellent interface that enables customers to break out the switch/router interface into four individual 400Gb/s interfaces. The SN connector is an established connector configuration from the 4x100Gb/s breakout applications, and it offers excellent performance and smooth handling,” explains Sean Davies, VP Sales at Eoptolink. “We also see the SN-MT as a suitable candidate to achieve breakout for 1.6Tb/s modules towards 4x 400Gb/s DR4 configurations. This provides our customers with an evolutionary path to support higher port densities”.

Andy Bechtolsheim, Arista Networks CTO and OSFP MSA Chair, described five 1.6T variants during his talk as part of the “Which Device Technologies Will Get Us Beyond 400G?” workshop. Two, the 1.6T-ZR2 (for 100 km at 30 W via fixed-wavelength lasers) and 1.6T-LR2 (for 10 km at 28 W), will leverage dual-channel 16QAM coherent transmission technology with dual LC connectors. The other three will be based on 200G PAM4 and offer 1 to 2 km of reach. The 1.6T-CWDM8 will feature an LC connector, the 1.6T-2FR4 will feature dual LCs, and the 1.6T-DR8 an octal SN/MDC connector. The power consumption for this last module is targeted at 21 W, while the other two have a 22 W target.

 

About SN Connector and SN-MT

SN is a next-generation duplex optical fiber connector designed for high-density applications. The connectors can be used for next-generation transceivers, including SFP-DD, QSFP-DD and OSFP. The compact design of Senko’s Very Small Form Factor duplex SN fiber connectors allows significant space-saving in Data Center and Telecom applications. SN-MT is part of the SN family and incorporates an MT ferrule for higher fibre-count applications.

SN product information can be found at Very Small Form Factor (VSFF) » SENKO Advanced Components, Inc.

 

About Senko

Senko Advanced Components is a wholly owned subsidiary of SENKO Advance, which is headquartered in Yokkaichi, Japan. With 16 locations globally and dozens of design and manufacturing facilities providing local support to customers all around the globe. SENKO was incorporated in the United States in the early nineties and has since been recognized as one of the industry’s specialists in passive fiber optic interconnects and optical components. To date, SENKO has deployed over 800 million connectors. 150+ patents awarded, with more than 300 patents pending. www.senko.com

 

About Eoptolink

Eoptolink is a leading optical transceiver solution and service provider delivering the industry’s broadest transceiver portfolio with world-class quality and reliability. It offers a complete range of General Availability 800G/400G QSFP-DD/OSFP and 100G QSFP28/SFP-DD Single Lambda 100G transceivers with the industry’s lowest power consumption performance.