100G QSFP28 ZR4 optical module appeared, long distance and small volume

This article will show you about the 100G ultra long transmission distance optical module, which is the 100G QSFP28 ZR4 optical module. Its transmission distance can reach 80 kilometers through access to a single mode fiber. It is equipped with a 4-channel cooled EML laser and PIN detector. It uses a 4-channel 25G NRZ wavelength division multiplexing technology (LWDM4), and its transmission rate can reach 100 Gpbs. It is mainly used in 100G Ethernet, data center, telecommunications and other scenarios.

In addition to the 100G QSFP28 ZR4 optical module, the 100G ultra long distance transmission scheme also has 100G DCO coherent optical module. Its package types are CFP and CFP2. CFP2 DCO provides greater flexibility and supports higher panel density than CFP DCO.

CFP/CFP2 coherent optical module adopts coherent technology, but coherent technology is usually used for long-distance metro optical transmission, and is not applicable to data centers. Coherent technology adopts more advanced modulation technology, such as QPSK, 8QAM or 16QAM, which can double, triple or quadruple the bit rate.

However, this modulation requires an advanced technology, that is, coherent detection and DSP at the receiver side to correct dispersion. Although the cost per bit is still a concern, the component cost is very high. Optical modules require space and sufficient power budget, and are only available on CFP and CFP2 pluggable packages. Of course, coherent modules can also be inserted into the switch/router board in IPoDWDM scenarios. However, due to the large power consumption and size of the CFP/CFP2 module, a special line card is required.

The 100G QSFP28 ZR4 optical module overcomes the shortcomings of large size and large power consumption. After cost optimization, it is small in size and low in power consumption. It can provide a point-to-point solution in the data center without deploying the old CFP/CFP2 interface, and can run on a point-to-point link up to 80km without optical amplification and dispersion compensation.