Although optical transceivers operating at 100 Gb/s like 100GBASE-LR4, 100G-CWDM4, 100G-PSM4, and 100GBASE-SR4 are already available in the market. But to reduce the total cost and to obtain higher transmission efficiency, a 100G Single Lambda transceiver specification has been proposed. This article will give you an in-depth introduction to 100G Single Lambda from the definition, comparison with the common 100G QSFP28, performance, and development prospects.

100G Lambda MSA is an industry consortium with a common focus to provide a new set of optical interface specifications, developed around an optical channel data rate of 100Gb/s. These specifications are targeted for 100GE and 400GE applications to be used as cost effective solution for high density multi-Terabit Switching, Routing and Transport networks.

The 100G Lambda Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) Working Group announced the release of a draft of PAM4 optical technology parameters based on 100 Gbps per wavelength. Member companies of the MSA organization have successfully solved the technical difficulties of optical interfaces using PAM4 technology at 100 Gbps per wavelength, enabling optical transceivers from different manufacturers and with multiple packaging types to interoperate with each other. These new optical interface parameters are targeted at next-generation network equipment and are designed to meet the growing bandwidth and bandwidth density requirements in the field of optical communications.

The 100G Lambda MSA defines 100G PAM-4 optical signaling and coding, FEC and link characteristics for 100G and 400G applications at 100Gb/s per optical channel over a specified distance range. The MSA will leverage the IEEE 802.3 draft specification and methodology to achieve similar 100Gb/s single-channel specifications over single-mode fiber. The MSA specifications will be aligned with the IEEE specifications in PAM4 signaling and RS (544, 514) FEC to maintain compatibility with existing systems and PHY technologies currently under development.

Currently, the most popular 100Gb/s optical standards such as 100GBASE-LR4, 100G-CWDM4, 100G-PSM4, rely on 25 Gb/s optical lanes that align with 25Gb/s SERDES commonly used on ASICs for the switching, routing and transport applications. As ASIC SERDES increase in speed, it is necessary to increase the optical channel speeds to avoid additional cost that comes from needing to translate to slower speeds. Cost savings can further be realized by reducing the number of optical lanes and increasing the speed from four times 25Gb/s per lane to a single lane of 100Gb/s. It has been recognized by the IEEE and the members of this MSA that a single optical lane of 100Gb/s can be at least 40% lower cost than four lanes of 25G. The MSA members expect 400 Gb/s specifications defined by the MSA using 100Gb/s per optical channel will be much more conducive to high density, and lower cost, implementations in module form factors and networking systems.

100G-FR、 100G-LR和400G-FR4

On September 20, 2018, 100G Lambda MSA announced the release of three specifications D2.0 based on 100 Gb/s PAM4 optical technology per wavelength. These specifications are targeted at data center and service provider network applications, enabling multi-vendor interoperability between various form factors optical transceivers produced by different manufacturers. These updated 100 GbE interface specifications are specified as 100G-FR and 100G-LR for duplex single-mode links of 2km and 10km, respectively. MSA also updated the 400G-FR4 specification for 400 GbE duplex single-mode fiber links that rely on 100 Gb/s PAM4 modulated optical signals multiplexing 4 wavelengths. In addition, members of the 100G Lambda MSA group announced the success of its optical interoperability private plug-and-pull test activities, successfully verifying the compatibility, testability and optical interoperability between member transceiver or test equipment designs and the newly released specifications.

100G-FR and 100G-LR Technical Specs rev2.0

400G-FR4 Technical Spec D2p0

400G-LR4-10

On October 8, 2020, 100G Lambda MSA announced the release of the 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) specification based on 100 Gb/s PAM4 optical technology per wavelength, with a transmission distance of up to 10km. This specification is aimed at data center and service provider network applications, and can achieve multi-vendor interoperability between various form factors optical transceivers produced by different manufacturers. The new 400GbE specification is designated as 400G-LR4-10, which is used for duplex single-mode links with a transmission distance of up to 10km and relies on 100 Gb/s PAM4 modulated optical signals multiplexed on 4 wavelengths.

MSA members have developed the 400GbE specification based on the success of previously released and widely adopted specifications to fully meet the market demand for 2km to 10km transmission distances for 100GbE and 400GbE duplex single-mode. MSA believes that the 10km transmission distance specification will be fully interoperable with the 6km version being developed by another industry standards organization. The “-10” nomenclature in 400G-LR4-10 will inform users of the target transmission distance.

400G-LR4-10 Technical Spec rev1.0

100G LR1-20和ER1-30 ER1-40

On December 7, 2020, 100G Lambda MSA announced the release of three enhanced 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) specifications, extending the transmission distance of single-mode optical fiber to three different lengths of 20, 30 and 40 km. These specifications are based on the 100 Gb/s per wavelength PAM4 optical technology promoted by MSA. These specifications are mainly aimed at applications for service providers, data center operators and enterprise networks, including emerging 5G wireless networks, thereby achieving multi-vendor interoperability between optical transceivers of variousform factors produced by different manufacturers.

That is, 100G-LR1-20 for 20km and 100G-ER1-30 and 100G-ER1-40 for 30km and 40km respectively. “Single-wavelength 100G PAM4 optical technology has been adopted by the entire industry,” said Mark Nowell, co-chairman of 100G Lambda MSA. “These longer-distance specifications will further accelerate the widespread acceptance of single-wavelength 100G solutions throughout the industry, especially for service providers and operators who have high requirements for efficient and high-speed transmission…”

100G LR1-20 ER1-30 ER1-40 Technical Specs rev 1p1

400G-ER4-30

On February 21, 2023, 100G Lambda MSA released the 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) specification, extending the transmission distance of single-mode optical fiber to 30km. The specification is based on the 100 Gb/s per wavelength PAM4 optical technology promoted by MSA. These specifications are mainly aimed at applications for service providers, data center operators and enterprise networks, thereby achieving multi-vendor interoperability between optical transceivers of various form factors produced by different manufacturers.

400G-ER4-30 Technical Specification 1.0

Follow us to get timely updates on 100G Lambda MSA specifications or get more industry specifications.