Comparison between 100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module and 100G QSFP28 AOC active optical cable

Before understanding the differences between them, let's first understand their common points. First, they all use a 4-channel 850nm VCSEL laser array and a PIN photodetector array, both of which comply with QSFP28 MSA and IEEE 802.3bm 100GBASE-SR4 standards. As for their differences, let's reveal the answers.

1、 The structures of the two are different. The 100G QSFP28 AOC active optical cable is composed of two optical transceivers and a fiber jumper, while the 100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module is just a simple module, which requires an OM3/OM4 jumper.

2、 The 100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module has the DDM digital diagnostic monitoring function, while the 100G QSFP28 AOC active optical cable has no DDM digital diagnostic monitoring function, so SR4 is superior to AOC in receiving sensitivity.

3、 The use costs of the two are different. The price of 100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module plus jumper is higher than that of 100G QSFP28 AOC active optical cable.

4、 The power consumption of the two is different. The 100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module has a higher power consumption than the 100G QSFP28 AOC active optical cable.

100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module and 100G QSFP28 AOC active optical cable are mainly used in data center, high-performance computing and storage area network, and can be compatible with servers and switches of various brands. Although the price of 100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module is high, its performance is better, and it can be used for the interconnection between servers and access layer switches. The price of 100G QSFP28 AOC active optical cable is relatively low, and it can be used for the interconnection between servers.