Finisar shows 100G Shortwave Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM) Module
New VCSEL-based transceivers enable datacentres to upgrade to 40G and 100G data using multimode fibre infrastructure
Finisar, a developer of optical transceivers, has announced what it believes is the world's first 100G QSFP28 SWDM4 module, which operates over standard, duplex multimode fibre.
Shortwave Wavelength Division Multiplexing (SWDM) technology enables datacentre operators to upgrade from 10G to 40G and 100G using their existing duplex multimode fibre (MMF) infrastructure.
SWDM multiplexes different wavelengths onto duplex MMF using WDM VCSEL technology. By simultaneously transmitting four VCSELs, each operating at a slightly different wavelength, a single SWDM transceiver can reliably transfer 40 GE (4x10G) or 100 GE (4x25G).
Finisar will demonstrate the SWDM4 module at the European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) at the Feria Valencia in Spain, September 28-30, 2015.
The 100G SWDM module follows on the successful demonstration of a 40G SWDM4 QSFP+ module previously demonstrated at the Optical Fibre Communications conference in March 2015. With this new module release, Finisar now has a complete suite of 40G and 100G pluggable transceiver products that are capable of operating on links built with the traditional, duplex MMF that is already installed in today's data centers.
Finisar's demonstration will showcase a 100G SWDM4 link established between a pair of QSFP28 modules operating over standard duplex MMF. Select customers are already evaluating samples of the 100G QSFP28 SWDM4 module.
"As the first to demonstrate and market SWDM modules, Finisar is committed to driving widespread adoption of this technology," said Steffen Koehler, director of marketing at Finisar. "With the 100G SWDM4 module, Finisar helps to ensure that duplex MMF continues to be the most cost-effective interconnect for all but the very largest datacentres."
A group of industry supporters recently announced the SWDM Alliance created to promote the technology initiative.
