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What Is QSFP28 100G CWDM4 and How Does Facebook Data Center Apply It?

AuthorPatrick

Date10/22/2021

This article introduces an efficient QSFP28 100G CWDM4 optical transceiver for you to enable 100G and brings a cost-effective 100G CWDM4 optical solution for a low-cost data center which has been proved in Facebook Data Center.

QSFP28 100G CWDM4 module is designed for use in 100GBASE Ethernet throughput up to 2km over single-mode fiber (SMF). This article will focus on the working principle, specification, and a Facebook Data Center application case to make you have a full understanding of the QSFP28 100G CWDM4 optical transceiver.

 


 

What is QSFP28 100G CWDM4 and How It Works

 

The QSFP28 100G CWDM4 transceiver is designed for use in 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) links on up to 2km over duplex single-mode fiber (SMF). The 100 Gigabit Ethernet signal is carried over four wavelengths. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the four wavelengths are managed within the device.

 

100G CWDM4 module adopts CWDM MUX/DEMUX technology with four central wavelengths of the lanes at 1271, 1291, 1311, and 1331nm. On the transmission side, 100G CWDM4 module converts 4 electrical input channels into 4 lanes with optical signal and multiplexes them into a single channel of 100Gbps optical transmission, reversely, the module optically demultiplexes 100Gbps input into 4 lanes signals and converts them to 4 lanes of electrical data on the receiver side.

QSFP28 CWDM4 100G module working principle

Figure 1: QSFP28 CWDM4 100G module working principle

 


 

QSFPTEK QSFP28 100G CWDM4 Specification

 

Table 1 - QSFPTEK QSFP28 CWDM4 100G Spec

 

Form FactorQSFP28
Wavelength1271, 1291, 1311, 1331nm
Cable TypeSMF Duplex
Cable Distance2km
Transmit Power-6.5~2.5dBm per lane
Receive Power<-11.5dBm
Laser TypeDML WDM+PIN
ProtocolsIEEE 802.3ba, IEEE 802.3bm, SFF-8665, SFF-8636, 100G CWDM4 MSA, QSFP28 MSA
Compatible DeviceCisco, Arista, Juniper, H3C, Brocade, Huawei Compatible
Warranty3 Years

 


 

Case Analysis: How is QSFP28 100G CWDM4 Applied in Facebook Data Center?

 

To increase the switch interconnect bandwidth of data centers to 100G, Facebook chooses 100G CWDM4 QSFP28 to enable 100G over duplex single-mode fiber (SMF) as a cost-effective way to realize large-scale deployment in 100G data centers.

To enable lower costs and consider the actual data center environment, Facebook has relaxed several specifications including as below:

1. Reducing the operating case temperature from 0-70 ˚ C to 15-55 ˚ C;

2. Reducing the distance requirements from 2km to 500m, based on that, the link loss budget was reduced from 5dB to 3.5dB.

The relaxed specification ensures that optical transceivers will interoperate with the standard MSA version of the specification over distances shorter than 500 meters.

 

Table 2 - CWDM4 MSA Spec vs. FB Relaxed Spec

 

Optimized ParametersCWDM4 MSAFB Relaxed Spec
Reach2km500m
Link Loss5dB3.5dB
Operating Case Temperature0˚ C to 70˚ C15˚ C to 55˚ C

 

To ensure that the transceivers would perform reliably once installed, Facebook tested at the component level and system lever.

The component level tests were performed at 25.78Gb/s per channel to characterize both transmitter (average optical power, extinction ratio, jitter, OMA, etc.) and receiver (sensitivity) performance over different temperatures and different fiber lengths as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3.

 

QSFP28 CWDM4 100G component eye diagram validation data

 

Fig. 2 - QSFP28 CWDM4 100G component eye diagram validation data

 

 

QSFP28 CWDM4 100G component OMA validation data

 

Fig. 3 - QSFP28 CWDM4 100G component OMA validation data

 

After component tests, the system level traffic tests were performed at their switch platforms. Fig. 4 shows 100Gbps Ethernet traffic running through 32 concatenated CWDM4 ports without packet loss. 

 

QSFP28 CWDM4 100G system level test structure

 

Fig. 4 - QSFP28 CWDM4 100G system level test structure

 


 

Case Conclusion

 

This Facebook case proves that the 100G CWDM4 is an effective technology for increasing the switch interconnect bandwidth of data centers. Facebook introduces a way of relaxing the transceiver performance specifications (temperature, reach) to meet our data center operating requirements. This 10G CWDM4 technology solution provides referential and can be deployed at scale to support our actual production application traffic throughout our data centers.

 

QSFPTEK has been focusing on the R&D and production of high-speed optical interconnect products for 10 years. QSFP28 100G CWDM4 modules are available at the best price. Contact QSFPTEK and get a quote.

 
 
 
 

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