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Finisar Introduces Industry's First 400G QSFP-DD Active Optical Cable and Transceivers for Switching and Routing Applications at OFC 2018
[March 13, 2018]

Finisar Introduces Industry's First 400G QSFP-DD Active Optical Cable and Transceivers for Switching and Routing Applications at OFC 2018


SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Finisar (NASDAQ:FNSR), the leader in optical communication modules and VCSEL technology, today introduced several new products to be demonstrated at OFC, the industry’s largest optical networking and communication conference and exhibition. The products include 400G QSFP-DD LR8 and FR8 transceivers, a 400G QSFP-DD active optical cable, a 100G serial QSFP28 transceiver, and two 50G SFP56 transceivers supporting a variety of next generation of Ethernet applications. See these products and demonstrations at the San Diego Convention Center, March 13-15, in Finisar’s booth #3713. 

These new form factors and data rates represent the latest advances in networking technology, geared toward the next generation of optics that will operate at 50 and 100 Gb/s per lane.  The 50G and 100G lanes use PAM4 encoding instead of the traditional non-return-to-zero (NRZ) format, and are crucial to enable hyperscale data centers, service providers and enterprises to meet tomorrow’s voracious bandwidth demands.
The QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Interface Double Density) is the latest module form factor targeting 400G data rates. The design provides an eight-lane electrical interface, compared to traditional single or four-lane interfaces, thereby increasing bandwidth, channel capacity and port density. Defined by the QSFP-DD MSA Group, this module addresses the need for high-density, high-speed networking solutions in a backward compatible form factor. 

400G QSFP-DD LR8 and FR8 Transceivers
Finisar is unveiling the industry’s first demonstration of a 400G QSFP-DD LR8 transceiver, whose 10km reach is a critical requirement for service provider applications. Using 50G PAM4 technology, the demonstration will show an optical module transmitting data over 10km of duplex single mode fiber (SMF). In addition to the 10km LR8 module being demonstrated, a 2km FR8 variant of this module will also be available from Finisar, primarily for intra-data center applications.  Both the LR8 and FR8 modules leverage DML transmitter technology, providing a low power, low risk, cost-effective solution for 400G.

400G QSFP-DD Active Optical Cable
Finisar is extending its leadership in the market with the addition of the industry’s first 400G active optical cable (AOC) in te QSFP-DD form factor. Leveraging VCSEL technology to achieve the lowest power dissipation and lowest cost structure, this product provides a desirable alternative to copper cables, which cannot scale to the required cable lengths at these high data rates. In a joint collaboration, Finisar is demonstrating the 400G QSFP-DD AOC running traffic through a Cisco demonstration switch.



“We are pleased to partner with Finisar in this exciting joint demonstration of Cisco’s 36 Port QSFP-DD Demo Platform and 400G QSFP-DD optical module at OFC,” said Ray Nering, Product Line Manager at Cisco. “This demonstration effectively quadruples the aggregate switch bandwidth while maintaining port density, which is critical to support the continuing growth in network bandwidth demand and data center traffic. Cisco expects that QSFP-DD will become the de facto standard for 400G just as other QSFP form factors have done so at 40G and 100G.”

100G Serial QSFP28 FR Transceiver
Finisar is introducing a 100G serial FR transceiver in the popular QSFP28 form factor for inter- data center, transport and router applications with 2km reaches. While leveraging a standard 4x25G electrical interface, so that it plugs into standard QSFP28 slots, this module employs just one serial 100G PAM4 optical channel. Once deployed in sufficient volume, it is expected to replace existing 100G QSFP28 CWDM4 modules. Finisar also plans to introduce a 500m DR version of this module. Four of these FR or DR modules will be able to be used in a fan-out configuration with an IEEE standard 400G DR4 module, thus providing both 100G point-to-point and 100G-to-400G fan-out connectivity at 100G per lane. During OFC, the module will be shown transmitting data over 2km of SMF.


50G SFP56 SR and LR Transceivers
Enabling the next generation of 50G single-lane optical connections, Finisar is also introducing the industry’s first 50G SFP56 SR and LR transceivers, using serial PAM4 technology. These modules represent the next key step in the highly popular SFP+ family of optical modules that have become ubiquitous in worldwide enterprise, data center and service provider networks.  Primary applications for these products include server-to-switch and switch-to-switch 50G Ethernet connections, and future 5G wireless applications.

During OFC, Finisar will demonstrate the SFP56 SR module transmitting over 100 meters of OM4 multi-mode fiber (MMF), and the SFP56 LR module transmitting over 10km of SMF. Leveraging in-house vertically integrated optics and IC’s, these modules support interoperability with previous generations of 25G SFP28 and 10G SFP+ optical transceivers. Both modules comply with the corresponding 50GBASE-R specifications as defined in the IEEE standards and offer 50G PAM4 electrical and optical interfaces.

“Today, we have established a number of industry first optical modules that will enable Finisar to maintain its leadership position for the next generation of products,” said Rafik Ward, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing at Finisar. “Building upon 30 years of success, we are gearing up for a new era of optical interfaces that will be built on 50G and 100G PAM4 technology. This will enable us to deliver unprecedented bandwidth to customers in form factors that are backwards compatible with industry established footprints.”

About Finisar
Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) is a global technology leader for fiber optic subsystems and components that enable high-speed voice, video and data communications for telecommunications, networking, storage, wireless, and cable TV applications. For more than 25 years, Finisar has provided critical optics technologies to system manufacturers to meet the increasing demands for network bandwidth and storage. Finisar is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA with R&D, manufacturing sites, and sales offices worldwide. For additional information, visit www.finisar.com.

Press contact:                                                             
Victoria McDonald,
Director, Corporate Communications
[email protected]

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