Driven by the demands for high broadband in cloud data centers, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, the popularity of 100G networks is increasing, and with it, the demand for 100G high speed rate optical modules is growing extremely fast.

Figure 1 Data centre network architecture

The following is the application of 100G QSFP28 optical modules in data centers, which is introduced by H&T Optoelectronics (H&T).

The network structure in the data center can be divided into three layers: core layer, convergence layer and access layer. Generally, 100G QSFP28 optical modules are used in the interconnection between convergence layer switches and core layer switches as well as the interconnection between core layer switches.
100G QSFP28 optical modules are mainly used for accessing QSFP28 ports on the switch, and the following optical modules are commonly used.

1.100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module
100G QSFP28 SR4 optical module adopts 4-way 25G NRZ multimode parallel technology, MPO interface, and the transmission distance can reach up to 70m or 100m via 12 core MPO patch cable (OM3/OM4) multimode fiber. 4x EDR and 5G forward CPRI/eCPRI links.

2.100G QSFP28 LR4 Optical Module

100G QSFP28 LR4 optical module adopts 4-way 25G NRZ wavelength division multiplexing technology (LWDM4) with dual LC interfaces, operating at 1295, 1300, 1304, 1309nm, and transmission distance up to 10km via OS2 single-mode fiber. Its widely used in 100GBASE-LR4 Ethernet and OTN OTU4 links.

3.100G QSFP28 ER4 optical module

100G QSFP28 ER4 optical module adopts 4-way 25G NRZ wavelength division multiplexing technology (LWDM4), with center wavelengths of 1295, 1300, 1305, 1310nm, dual LC interfaces, and maximum rate up to 103.1Gbps. transmission distance up to 40km over single-mode fiber. It is widely used in 100GBASE-ER4 Ethernet and OTN OTU4 links.

At present, 100G Ethernet technology has matured, and the deployment of 100G networks in major enterprises, organizations or governments has gradually come to the right track.
100G optical modules support 4×25G data transmission mode and are favored by data center users because of their high port density, low power consumption and low cost.