Which 40G QSFP+ Transceivers Can Be Used for 4x10G?

Since the overwhelming growth in data traffic, many data centers are loaded with 10G and 40G based Ethernet switches for 10G to 40G migration. 40G switches allow the configuration of 40G port to act as one port or break out into four individual ports. To get easy 10G/40G migration, we should better select 40G QSFP+ transceivers which can break out as 4x10G connectivity. Among so many versions of 40G QSFP+ transceivers including QSFP-40G-SR4, QSFP-40-CSR4, QSFP-40G-LR4, QSFP-40G-ER4, etc., which 40G QSFP+ transceiver can be used for 4x10G?

QSFP-40G-SR4/CSR4 for 4x10G

40G short distance multimode transceivers are interfaced with 12-fiber MTP/MPO, such as 40G SR4, CSR4. To know why these 40G QSFP+ modules can be used for 4x10G, let’s see how QSFP-40G-SR4 work? First, 4 electrical input signals of 10G converted into parallel optical signals are sent from the transmitter over 4 parallel fiber strands. Then the parallel optical signals are converted into parallel electrical signals by the use of a photo detector array and transmitted to the receiver over another 4 parallel fiber strands. QSFP-40G-SR4 needs 8 fibers to transmit and receive signals. QSFP-40G-SR4 transceivers are interfaced with 12-fiber MTP/MPO. Therefore, QSFP-40G-SR4 and QSFP-40G-CSR4 transceivers can be easily broken down to 4x10G connections. Each 10G signal lane of QSFP-40G-SR4 is compliant to IEEE 10GBASE-SR specifications. And this 10G/40G connection can be achieved by using an MTP-LC harness cable or MTP cable and MTP-LC breakout patch panel to connect the QSFP-40G-SR4 and four 10GBASE-SR modules.

Can QSFP-40G-LR4/ER4 Be Used for 4x10G?

QSFP-40G-LR4 transceivers apply CWDM (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology. From the transmitter side, 4 input electrical signals of 10G are converted into 4 CWDM optical signals by a driven 4-wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array. Then 4 CWDM signals are multiplexed to a singlemode fiber for 40G optical signal transmission. On the receiver side, the receiver accepts 40G CWDM optical signals input and demultiplexes them into 4 individual 10G optical data streams with different wavelengths. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the four wavelengths are managed in the device. The 40 Gigabit Ethernet signal is carried over four wavelengths on a pair of singlemode fibers. The duplex fibers are used for bi-directional transmission. QSFP-40G-LR4 and QSFP-40G-ER4 are interfaced with duplex LC connector. Therefore, we can’t split QSFP-40G-LR4 or QSFP-40G-ER4 to 4 individual duplex SMF fibers to route them to 4 separate 10G transceivers by simple optical rerouting.

But if you insist to split the 40G into four 10G streams using QSFP-40G-LR4 or QSFP-40G-ER4 modules, how to achieve that connection? Then you need a simple multiplexer/demultiplexer which split the four wavelengths on duplex fibers into 4x10G signal in four different fibers. With such equipment, the QSFP-40G-LR4 or QSFP-40G-ER4 outputs can be physically broken down from one duplex fiber into four duplex fibers so that each of the wavelengths is transmitted in four different fibers (As the following figure shows).

How About QSFP-40G-PLRL4?

From the above content, you may get an inclusion that multimode 40G QSFP+ transceivers can be directly used as 4x10G while singlemode 40G QSFP+ transceivers can’t. However, you ignore one singlemode transceiver QSFP-40G-PLRL4. This 40G QSFP+ transceiver connects with 12-fiber MTP/MPO patch cable though it’s designed for long distance transmission. Similar to QSFP-40G-SR4, QSFP-40G-PLRL4 also needs 8 fibers to transmit and receive signals. So you can easily get 10G/40G singlemode connection applying QSFP-40G-PLRL4.

Summary

Some data centers may face the issue of migration from 10G to 40G. Except the switch, you also need to know 40G QSFP+ transceivers well especially what kind of 40G QSFP+ transceivers can be used for 4x10G connectivity. In this article, you can see 40G QSFP+ transceivers with MTP/MPO interface can achieve that connection by simple optical routing. As to 40G QSFP+ transceivers with duplex LC interface, you need spare equipment for multiplexing/demultiplexing. For 40G to 4x10G solutions, you can find your desired one from FS.COM.

Related article: How to Extend 40G Connection up to 80 km?

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Originaly published at www.fiber-optic-equipment.com

Do You Know about QSFP LR4 PSM?

40GBASE QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable) transceivers are widely provided all round the world. These modules offer various high-density and low-power 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for data center, high performance computing networks, enterprise core and distribution layers and service provider applications. Among so many options, such as QSFP-40G-SR4, QSFP-40G-LR4, QSFP-40G-ER4, WSP-Q40GLR4L, etc., QSFP-40G-LR4 is well know as it can support link lengths of up to 10 km over single mode fiber. It enables high-bandwidth 40G optical links over 12-fiber parallel fiber terminated with MPO/MTP multifiber female connectors. The following will talk about one of QSFP-40G-LR4: QSFP-LR4-PSM (Parallel Single Mode).

Main Features

The QSFP LR4 PSM is a parallel 40G Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable optical module. It offers increased port density and saves cost for total system. This module provides 4 independent transmit and receive channels. It can support 4x10 Gbps operation for an aggregate data rate of 40 Gbps on 10km of single mode fiber. It can also support 1x40G optical links over 12-fiber parallel fiber terminated with MPO/MTP connectors. But the ribbon cable with MPO/MTP connector should have proper alignment instead of being twisted. The module operates with single +3.3V power supply. With a 2-wire serial interface, it allows to send and receiver more complex control signals and to receiver digital diagnostic information. If there are some channels not used, then the unused channels can be shut down for maximum design flexibility. This transceiver module with form factor, optical/electrical connection and digital diagnostic interface is compliant with Multi-Source Agreement (MSA). It can meet the harshest external operating conditions including temperature, humidity and EMI interference (Electromagnetic Interface). For example, its operating case temperature ranges from 0 to 70 ℃。

Working Principle

This QSFP LR4 PSM is a parallel single mode optical transceiver with an MTP/MPO fiber ribbon connector. This transceiver module offers 4 transmit and 4 receive channels and each can support 10.3125 Gbps data rates (as shown in the following figure). The transmitter accepts electrical input signals compatible with Common Mode Logic (CML) levels. All input data signals are differential and internally terminated. The receiver converts the input signals via a photo detector array into parallel electrical output signals. And the outputs signals are also voltage compatible with Common Mode Logic (CML) levels. All signals are differential and support a data rates up to 10.3 Gbps per channel.

Each module offers 7 low speed hardware control pins (including the 2-wire serial interface): ModSelL (Module Select), SCL (Serial Clock), SDA (Serial Data), LPMode (Low Power Mode), IntL (Interrupt), ResetL, and ModPrsL (Module Present). Here just introduces several pins.

ModSelL is an input pin. When held low by the host, the module responds to 2-wire serial communication commands. The ModSelL allows the use of multiple QSFP+ modules on a single 2-wire interface bus–individual ModSelL lines for each QSFP+ module must be used.

SCL and SDA are required for the 2-wire serial bus communication interface and enable the host to access the QSFP+ memory map.

LPMode pin is used to set the maximum power consumption to protect the host. If the hosts are able to cool higher power modules, such modules will be accidentally inserted.

Fiberstore’s QSFP-40G-LR4 is designed for use in 40 Gigabit Ethernet links over single mode fiber. It’s compliant with QSFP+ MSA and IEEE 802.3ba 40GBASE-LR4. LR4 PSM is one of QSFP-40G-LR4 modules. All these cost-effective transceivers have to be tested before shipping to ensure full compatibility and to offer the best customer service. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact sales@fs.com.

Originally published at www.fiber-optic-equipment.com