Google joins tech vendors in 10x10G 100 Gbps optical transceiver multi-source agreement

DECEMBER 7, 2010 By Stephen Hardy -- Having stated its need for such a device at several technical conferences this year (including ECOC), Google has joined with Brocade (NASDAQ: BRCD), JDSU (NASDAQ: JDSU), and Santur Corp. to found a 10x10G optical transceiver multi-source agreement (MSA). The MSA seeks to establish compatible sources for low-cost, low-power, pluggable 100-Gbps optical transceivers based on 10 optical lanes at 10 Gbps.

The transceivers covered by the MSA will be designed to support a reach of at least 2 km, putting it between existing IEEE specifications for devices aimed at 100-m multimode (100GBase-SR10) and 10-km singlemode (100GBase-LR4) applications. Google spokesmen have consistently stated that transceivers based on existing IEEE 802.3ba specifications would not meet its needs economically. In particular, Google has criticized the expected cost of the 25-Gbps technology the IEEE 802.3ba 100GBase-LR4 requires.

The 10X10 MSA focuses initially using parallel optic arrays in modules compliant to the published CFP MSA specifications. However, the MSA members also hope to leverage existing 10G electronics and optics to create modules that support higher density than the CFP would provide.

The MSA members have been working on such devices for some time. For example, JDSU and Santur displayed 10x10G technology in JDSU’s booth at ECOC in Turin this past September.

“The 10X10 MSA is ready to define a new price and performance trajectory for 100GbE that will significantly accelerate the adoption and economics of 100G deployment,” said Scott Kipp, Brocade standards representative and chair of the 10X10 MSA. “Leveraging 10G technology helps the 10X10 MSA provide the lowest cost solution in terms of bandwidth per meter and bandwidth per watt.”

More information is available on the 10X10 MSA website.