A Comprehensive Guide to High-Speed Transceivers: 400G, 800G, and the Leap to 1.6T

In the ever-evolving landscape of data communications, the need for faster and more efficient network speeds is relentless. Transceivers, the cornerstone of modern data transmission, have grown leaps and bounds to keep up with this demand. Technological progress in this field has been revolutionary, moving from 400G to 800G, and is now pushing the horizon towards 1.6T. This guide delves into recent advancements and future trends in high-speed optical transceivers, highlighting how 400G, 800G, and 1.6T optics address the continually growing data demands.

400G Transceivers

The introducing of 400G transceivers marked a significant leap in data transmission capabilities. Form factors like the QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable-Double Density) and the OSFP (Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable) emerged as standard form factors for 400G transceivers. These transceivers leverage advanced modulation techniques, such as PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 4-level), to transmit data at a rate of 400 gigabits per second. By utilizing higher-order modulation and sophisticated error correction mechanisms, 400G transceivers maximize the capacity of fiber optic networks, enabling faster and more efficient data transmission.

Highlights of FS 400G Transceivers

The FS 400G transceivers feature low-power, high-density, and high-speed performance. They can be used for 400G network connectivity across the wavelength range of 850nm to 1331nm. FS 400G transceivers with different wavelengths use different types of connectors and fiber cables turning out their different transmission distances. Following are the highlights of them:

• Variety of Models: FS offers a variety of 400G transceivers, with form factors including but not limited to QSFP-DD, OSFP, QSFP112, etc., providing options for customers based on their equipment interfaces and transmission requirements.

• Advanced Modulation Techniques: These 400G optical transceivers use efficient modulation technologies like PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation), allowing higher data rates over existing fiber infrastructures and improving signal quality.

• Low Power Consumption: With a focus on reducing operational costs and environmental impact, FS 400G modules are designed with low power consumption, maintaining energy efficiency while delivering high-speed transmission.

• Compatibility and Interoperability: FS 400G transceivers are typically designed to be compatible with equipment from a range of vendors, including mainstream switches, routers, and servers, making the transceivers practical due to multi-vendor interoperability.

• Long-distance Capabilities: FS 400G optical transceivers support various transmission distances, ranging from 100m to 40km, allowing customers to select the appropriate transceiver for their distance requirements.

• Multi-channel Design: Some 400G transceivers incorporate multi-channel design, combining 8 channels at 50 Gbps each to enable the full 400 Gbps data rate, effectively increasing the efficiency of fiber utilization.

800G Transceivers

Building upon the success of 400G transceivers, the industry embraced the development of 800G transceivers to cater to the ever-growing demand for higher bandwidth. With advancements in integrated circuit technology and signal processing algorithms, 800G transceivers achieved an impressive transmission rate of 800 gigabits per second. This breakthrough doubled the data capacity and introduced enhanced spectral efficiency, allowing for the optimization of network resources.

Key Technologies of 800G Data Center

As data center networks require faster data transmission, two key technologies have emerged: 800G Fiber and 800G Ethernet.

800G Fiber transmits 800Gbps using optical devices over fiber optics, using configurations like dual 400G or eight 100G, but it is costlier and consumes more power. While still in initial deployment, largely for connecting hyperscale data centers, 800G Fiber improves network performance.

Conversely, 800G Ethernet, a standard set in April 2020 by the Ethernet Technology Alliance, sends 800Gbps over Ethernet, supporting various PHY and MAC parameters for different applications and distances. Despite offering greater capacity and flexibility, 800G Ethernet's adoption is slowed by complex technology and standardization needs.

Highlights of FS 800G Transceivers

The FS 800G transceivers come in various form factors, such as QSFP-DD and OSFP, to accommodate different networking equipment and preferences. They use advanced modulation schemes, ensuring robust performance even over long distances. Incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, FS 800G transceivers are designed to handle ultra-high bandwidth over fiber optic cables with greater energy efficiency and reliability. Below are highlights of FS 800G transceivers.

• Advanced Photonics Technology: FS 800G transceivers likely incorporate cutting-edge photonics technology, adopting advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) algorithms to handle the complexities associated with higher-speed data transmission.

• Low Power Consumption: The FS 800G transceiver features a maximum power consumption of 18W, effectively reducing operating costs and enhancing operational efficiency.

• Low Latency: 800G transceivers are featured with photonic integrated circuits (PIC) which lower the latency in 800G links, making it ideal for real-time applications and high-frequency interactions, such as financial transactions, cloud computing, and large-scale data centers.

• Multi-channel Design: The 800G transceivers' multi-channel design increases the transmission bandwidth and provides higher data throughput. For example, QDD-DR8-800G is an 800G transceiver that supports 2x400G or 8x100G breakout for higher port density.

FS 800G QSFP-DD Transceivers

	QDD-SR8-800G	QDD-DR8-800G	QDD800-PLR8-B1
Center Wavelength	850nm	1310nm	1310nm
Connector	MTP/MPO-16	MTP/MPO-16	MTP/MPO-16
Cable Distance (Max.)	30m@OM3/50m@OM4	500m	10km
Modulation	8x106.25G PAM4	8x106.25G PAM4	8x106.25G PAM4
Transmitter Type	VCSEL	EML	EML
Chip	Broadcom 7nm DSP	Broadcom 7nm DSP	Broadcom 7nm DSP
Power Consumption	≤13W	≤16.5W	≤18W
Application	Ethernet, Data Center	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout, 800G to 8x100G Breakout	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout, 800G to 8x100G Breakout

FS 800G OSFP Transceivers

	OSFP-SR8-800G	OSFP-DR8-800G	OSFP-2FR4-800G	OSFP800-2LR4-A2	OSFP800-PLR8-B1	OSFP800-PLR8-B2
Center Wavelength	850nm	1310nm	1271nm, 1291nm, 1311nm and 1331nm	1271nm, 1291nm, 1311nm and 1331nm	1310nm	1310nm
Connector	Dual MTP/MPO-12	Dual MTP/MPO-12	Dual LC Duplex	Dual LC Duplex	MTP/MPO-16	Dual MTP/MPO-12
Cable Distance (Max.)	30m@OM3/ 50m@OM4	500m	2km	10km	10km	10km
Modulation	8x106.25G PAM4	8x106.25G PAM4	8x106.25G PAM4	8x106.25G PAM4	8x106.25G PAM4	8x106.25G PAM4
Transmitter Type	VCSEL	EML	EML	EML	EML	EML
Chip	Broadcom 7nm DSP	Broadcom 7nm DSP	Broadcom 7nm DSP	Broadcom 7nm DSP	Broadcom 7nm DSP	Broadcom 7nm DSP
Power Consumption	≤14W	≤16.5W	≤16.5W	≤18W	≤16.5W	≤16.5W
Application	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout, 800G to 8x100G Breakout	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout, 800G to 8x100G Breakout	Ethernet, Data Center, 800G to 2x400G Breakout, 800G to 8x100G Breakout

Futuristic 1.6T Transceivers

The 1.6T optical module represents the latest advancements in optical communication technology, it significantly enhances data transmission speeds and capacity. This module is engineered to support high-speed data transfer rates up to 1.6 terabits per second, making it ideal for hyper-scale data centers and high-performance computing environments. The 1.6T transceiver currently supports two form factors: OSFP and OSFP-XD.

1.6T OSFP Transceivers

The advancement of OSFP transceivers to 1.6T is attributed to the multi-channel design and PAM4 (4-Level Pulse Amplitude Modulation) technology.

The 1.6T OSFP transceivers features an 8-channel design, with each channel supporting a transmission rate of 200Gbps, leading to a total bandwidth of 1.6T (1600Gbps). This higher-order modulation effectively increases data density and transmission speed.

At present, FS provides 1.6T OSFP DAC cables. These 1.6T OSFP passive DAC cables leverage state-of-the-art 200G per lane optical technologies, achieving impressive transmission speeds of up to 1.6 Tbps at ultra-low power consumption, supporting high bandwidth, higher transmission efficiency and capacity. And their closed top surface design provides excellent sealing and enhances cooling efficiency. FS 1.6T DAC cables are suitable for hyperscale data centers, supercomputing, and HPC networks.

1.6T OSFP-XD Transceivers

While the 1.6T OSFP transceivers supports future switch silicon with 200G electrical lanes, there is broad interest in 1.6T transceivers with the 100G electrical lane ecosystem. The OSFP-XD (“Extra Dense”) form factor was developed to meet this requirement. By doubling the number of electrical lanes from 8 to 16, the OSFP-XD optics offers 1.6T density with 16 lanes of 100G and 3.2T density with 16 lanes of 200G in the future.

Advantages of OSFP-XD

• Enhanced System Performance: It is the densest pluggable optical solution on the market today, and it supports 16 electrical channels, each of which can reach 100G, resulting in a total data rate of 1.6T. OSFP-XD modules meet future chip density growth requirements and improve system throughput and efficiency.

• High Compatibility in Technologies: OSFP-XD modules support a comprehensive range of optical technologies, including 100G Lambda, 200G Lambda, and Coherent Optical Communication. With adaptability to various transmission distances and scenarios, it supports distances of up to 2 kilometers at temperatures ranging from 0-70°C. The 1.6T OSFP-XD modules consume less than 23W enables high-speed, efficient, and highly reliable data transmission. This feature makes the OSFP-XD transceivers fit perfectly for data centers, cloud computing, and other demanding fields.

• Versatile and Customer-Centric: 1.6T OSFP-XD transceivers retain all the benefits of a pluggable transceiver, including reconfigurability, serviceability, technical flexibility, and more. It also retains the well-known supply chain business model, allowing customers to choose the most appropriate products and services from multiple vendors.

Summary

The 1.6T transceivers represent the future, where the demand for hyper-scale data transmission and energy-efficient transmission will be met with even further advancements in technology. These transceivers will build upon the foundational advancements in PAM4, DSP, and silicon photonics, pushing the envelope with potentially new modulation technologies such as Coherent Optics or higher-order PAM solutions. It is a journey of continuous innovation, where each leap in technology enables our data-driven world to thrive and expand.