800G Optical Transceivers and Cables for Data Centers

With the development of technology, the optical communication industry is experiencing a surge in demand for high-speed network solutions. Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning (ML) have prompted data center operators and large enterprises to demand higher bandwidth and high data throughput to improve business capabilities and efficiency. This provides opportunities for the development of 800G transceivers and cables. 800G transceivers and cables can be used in high-performance ultra-large-scale data centers, greatly improving data transmission efficiency.

Why Should You Consider 800G Optical Transceivers and Cables?

The introduction of 800G marked a significant milestone in the industry. The deployment of 800G optical transceivers and cables in hyper-scale data centers has already begun and hinges on advancements in two key areas: 800G transceivers and DAC/AOC cables, and the establishment of the 800GE standard.

Bandwidth Advantage

800G transceivers and cables address the growing bandwidth requirements that the traditional one cannot meet, providing high data rates and great information capacity for data center operators. These optical transceivers and cables facilitate seamless communication between data centers and support modern interconnected infrastructures. This connection type is suitable for data center interconnection and high-performance computing. As for the enterprise, 800G modules and DAC/AOC cables save costs and keep a stable interior network environment. Additionally, 800G optical modules provide real-time status monitoring and information diagnosis functions to maintain network stability.

800GE Standardization

ETC (the Ethernet Technology Consortium) has established the standard for 800G optical transceivers, which helps to promote cutting-edge 800G technology and reduce 800G modules' production costs. Additionally, it improves production efficiency and allows data centers to reduce the initial cost of building 800G networks.

Key Technologies for 800G Optical Transceivers and Cables

PAM4 Modulation

PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 4-level) is a critical technology for achieving maximum data rates over the same bandwidth, which is essential to meet the growing demand for high-speed data transmission. The use of PAM4 modulation in 800G optical transceivers and cables improves network performance and enables higher data rates. This technology allows for the transmission of twice as much data per signal compared to traditional NRZ (Non-Return to Zero) modulation used in low-speed transceivers. Unlike traditional binary modulation (PAM2), PAM4 modulation encodes four levels of amplitude per symbol, effectively doubling the data rate. By leveraging PAM4 modulation, 800G optical transceivers and cables achieve data rates of up to 800 Gbps on a single optical channel, which enables optical networks to transmit more data while utilizing the same channel bandwidth. This advancement in optical technology allows for greater bandwidth capacity and caters to the increasing demand for faster and more efficient data transmission in various industries.

Silicon Photonics

Silicon Photonics is a field of study and technology that focuses on integrating photonic components, such as lasers, modulators, and detectors, into silicon-based integrated circuits (ICs). The demand for higher bandwidth and faster data transmission rates in data centers and telecommunications networks has driven the need for advancements in optical communication technologies. The transition from 400G to 800G optical transceivers and cables requires improvements in both the capacity and efficiency of optical systems. Using Silicon Photonics in 800G optical modules and cables enables higher data rates and improved performance while reducing power consumption and footprint. Overall, Silicon Photonics plays a crucial role in enabling the development and deployment of 800G optical modules and cables by providing a technology platform that combines high performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

800G Optical Transceivers and Cables Solution Use Cases for Data Centers

FS is a leading provider of cutting-edge data center solutions and products that support lightning-fast 800 Gbps data transmission rates. The advent of 800G switches and 800G optics opens up possibilities for data center operators to leverage use cases that offer substantially improved network performance while reducing complexity, cost, and power consumption. This development presents a valuable opportunity for data centers to enhance operations and deliver improved networking capabilities.

800G-to-800G Links

The following example demonstrates a point-to-point connection using 800G SR8 modules with 800G switches. This direct, high-speed 800G bandwidth connection is typically used for linking core devices in data centers, ensuring efficient data processing.

800G-to-Two 400G Links

The following figure showcases an enhanced utilization of 800G transceivers, enabling support for multiple high-speed connections. For example, the 800G 2FR4 transceiver supports a 2x400G breakout for higher port density. It can connect two 400G FR4 transceivers, which split an 800G link into two 400G links.

This 800G to two 400G connection provides flexibility and can integrate newer 800G equipment with slightly older 400G-capable devices. It is suitable for scenarios where data centers are conducting network upgrades to 800G from 400G.

800G-to-Eight 100G Links

The figure below illustrates an 800G port's versatility. For example, 800G DR8 transceivers support eight 100G DR module connections spanning up to 500m. 800G to eight 100G connections provide a higher level of connectivity options, allowing multiple low-speed 100G devices to benefit from the high-speed 800G link. It is ideal for environments where numerous 100G-capable devices need to be connected to a higher-speed backbone.

Conclusion

The development of PAM4 modulation and silicon photonics and the advancement of AI servers, IOT, and ML have unleashed the amazing power of 800G optical transceivers and cables, boosting bandwidth and performance over previous generations. As 800G technology and infrastructure continue to evolve, many industries are ready to move quickly to 800G optical modules and cables. FS's 800G optical modules and 800G DAC/AOC cables have stable transmission performance and provide efficient O&M assurance. They undergo rigorous signal integrity and compatibility testing to ensure consistent performance at high loads and over long distances. By testing for compatibility with multiple mainstream devices, FS products can be seamlessly integrated into existing networks, simplifying deployment and operations. Contact FS to reach out to our experts and learn more about these advanced optics for your network.

In the future, 800G optical modules and cables will play an essential role in data center connectivity, high-performance computing, and 5G and communication networks. 800G optical transceivers and cables will promote seamless communication between data centers, improve data transmission efficiency, optimize overall system performance, and maintain network infrastructure stability.