Leoni makes data centres faster with transmission speeds of 400 G via copper
Solutions for QSFP-DD and OSFP in the product range - Breakout version offers full compatibility to all standards
QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form Factor Double Density) and OSFP (Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable) cable systems mean that not one but two Leoni product families have made the leap to 400 G transfer via copper. Both solutions are based on the company’s slim and efficient ParaLink 25s bulk cable. This high-performance cable also provides the required high signal integrity together with low packing density as a 16-pair version. For QSFP-DD, Leoni uses its ParaLink 25s with a maximum gauge of AWG 28 over a maximum length of 3 meters; for OSFP the simulation even showed that a maximum of 4 meters is possible at a gauge of AWG 26.
Leoni controls the entire transmission channel of its cable systems in simulation and production with its engineering of cables, circuit boards and connectors; its cable production and assembly as well as extensive testing facilities with its in-house high-frequency laboratory. As a member of the Multi Source Agreement (MSA) Groups for QSFP-DD and OSFP, the cable specialist was, in line with standardisation, early to electromagnetically simulate the development of cable systems with its own components and to prove the feasibility of active and passive copper solutions for these standards. Initial prototypes have confirmed the findings of these simulations. For instance, OSFP and QSFP-DD cable systems passively transfer 8 x 25 Gbit/s at 25 GHz without interference (corresponds to 200 G with NRZ transmission) or up to 8 x 50 Gbit/s actively (corresponds to 400 G with PAM4 modulation). In the simulation, active OSFP or QSFP-DD cable systems can furthermore overcome greater lengths with full signal integrity when transferring 400 G of data thanks to an integrated PAM4 amplifier.
Alongside various active and passive end-to-end solutions, as well as such breakout versions as QSFP-DD based on 8 x SFP56; OSFP on 8 x SFP56, QSFP-DD on 2 x QSFP56 and OSFP on 2 x QSFP56, Leoni will soon be offering a breakout cable that transmits between QSFP-DD and OSFP. This solution will establish full compatibility between the two standards and downward compatible systems.