[Shenzhen, China, September 13, 2023] Pursuing the optimal 400G data center configuration has always been a hot topic and focus in the industry. GIGALIGHT recently announced the launch of a 400G QSFP-DD 2×FR4 data center optical module based on the 50G PAM4 DML technology platform, providing a new option for customers’ data center architectures.

The key difference between the newly launched 400G QSFP-DD 2×FR4 and the previous 400G QSFP-DD FR4 lies in the fact that the 400G 2×FR4 optical port supports 8×50G PAM4, while the 400G FR4 optical port supports 4×100G PAM4. Additionally, the 400G QSFP-DD 2×FR4 has networking advantages. It uses Duplex Dual LC optical interfaces, supporting the fan-out of two 200G QSFP56 optical modules, enabling a direct transition from 200G data centers to 400G data centers.

The networking architecture is as follows:

Furthermore, the 400G QSFP-DD 2×FR4, utilizing the 50G PAM4 DML technology platform, also has advantages in terms of cost structure and power consumption. Its main optoelectronic characteristics are as follows.

Eye diagram and sensitivity indicators:

• TDECQ per channel is less than the protocol specification of 3.1dB.
• RxSens (OMA) sensitivity is better than -5.5dBm @ 2.4e-4 Pre-FEC 26.5625GBd PAM4.
• Maximum power consumption of the optical module is less than 9W.

With the maturity of DML technology, cost-effective 400G data center solutions are moving towards maturity and commercialization. Leveraging the fusion of existing 7nm DSP technology and DML technology enables more efficient and cost-effective processing, transmission, and reception of data. This helps reduce the unit bit power consumption, making data centers more energy-efficient and cost-effective. GIGALIGHT will continue to delve into research and development, providing customers with even better internal data center interconnection solutions.

About Gigalight

As an open optical networking explorer, Gigalight integrates the design, manufacturing, and sales of both active and passive optical devices and subsystems. The company’s product portfolio includes optical modules, silicon photonics modules, liquid-cooled modules, passive optical components, active optical cables, direct attach copper cables, coherent optical communication modules, and OPEN DCI BOX subsystems. Gigalight focuses on serving applications such as data centers, 5G transport networks, metropolitan WDM transmission, ultra-HD broadcast and video, and more. It stands as an innovative designer of high-speed optical interconnect hardware solutions.