Avago offers 40-Gbps BiDi multimode fiber QSFP+ optical transceiver

Avago Technologies (NASDAQ:AVGO) says its latest 40-Gbps bidirectional (BiDi) multimode fiber QSFP+ optical transceiver, the AFBR-79EBPZ, is now generally available. The company expects the optical module to find use in high-speed data center interconnect and other fiber-optic network applications.

The AFBR-79EBPZ leverages 2x20G BiDi optics to support 40 Gigabit Ethernet requirements on existing installed LC duplex multimode fiber that supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet. That means 40GbE over 100 m of OM3 fiber or 150 m of OM4 fiber. The ability to use LC connectors rather than MPO fiber-optic connectors means only two fibers are required rather than the eight needed with conventional QSFP+ transceivers that need eight fibers, Avago points out.

The optical module complies with the 40GbE XLPPI electrical specification per IEEE 802.3ba-2010, as well as the QSFP+ SFF-8436 specification.

"40G Ethernet is an important technology in the data center as enterprises transition the aggregation/spine layers of their network towards higher speeds," said Alan Weckel, vice president of Ethernet switch market research at Dell'Oro Group. "As this transition occurs, we expect 40G Ethernet switches to surpass 10 million ports in 2017, almost a four-fold increase from 2014 levels, especially with the increased availability of high ROI, low TCO solutions that leverage the existing 10G cabling infrastructure."

For more information on optical modules and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.