10 Terms You Need to Know for 100G Transceiver Optics?

Are you looking to up your fiber optic knowledge game? Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pro, it never hurts to learn more about the latest and greatest in the industry. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to 10 terms you need to know for 100G transceiver optics.

We’ll cover everything from standard optical terms to specific modulation formats used in 100G transceivers. By this article’s end, you’ll know those terms about 100G optics!

Without further ado, let’s get started.

1. 100GBASE-SR4

This standard for Ethernet connectivity uses four lanes of 25 Gbps each to achieve a total data rate of 100 Gbps. SR4 is commonly used in short-reach applications where the maximum distance is 150 meters over OM4 fiber cable.

2. 100GBASE-LR4

Another standard for 100G Ethernet connectivity, LR4 uses four lanes of 25 Gbps each to reach a total data rate of 100 Gbps over long distances. LR4 can reach up to 10 kilometers.

3. 100GBASE-ER4

100GBASE-ER4 is an optical transmission standard for Ethernet that uses four wavelengths of light to transmit data at a rate of 100 gigabits per second (Gbps). 100GBASE-ER4 can reach distances of up to 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) over single mode fiber optic cabling. 

4. 100G PSM4

PSM4 is a parallel single-mode fiber optic interface that uses four lanes of 25 Gbps each to reach a total data rate of 100 Gbps. PSM4 is used in short-reach applications where the maximum distance is 500 meters.

5. 100G SWDM4

SWDM4 is a shortwave wavelength-division multiplexing interface that uses four lanes of 25 Gbps each to reach a total data rate of 100 Gbps. SWDM4 is used in short-reach applications where the maximum distance is 2 kilometers.

6. 100G CWDM4

CWDM4 is a coarse wavelength-division multiplexing interface that uses four lanes of 25 Gbps each to reach a total data rate of 100 Gbps. CWDM4 is used in long-reach applications where the maximum distance is 10 kilometers. Click to check the latest CWDM4 MSA specification.

7. 100G 4WDM

 100G 4WDM MSA, or the 100 Gigabit Ethernet 4-wavelength-division multiplexing (4WDM) Multi-Source Agreement, defines an optical transmission standard that enables 100Gbps transmission over four wavelengths of light, each carrying up to 25Gbps. The 100G 4WDM MSA was ratified in July of 2017.

Its Founding members include Broadcom Limited, Brocade, Ciena, ColorChip, Dell Inc., Finisar Corporation, Foxconn Interconnect Technology, Huawei Technology Co., Ltd., Intel Corporation, Juniper Networks, Kaiam Corp., Lumentum, MACOM Technology, Oclaro Inc., Skorpios Technologies Inc., Source Photonics, and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

The standard 100G 4WDM MSA covers two links between 2km and 10km on single-mode fiber (SMF). The 100G 4WDM MSA also supports various applications, including data center interconnect (DCI), enterprise networking, service provider transport, and cloud computing.

8. 100G Single Lambda

Single Lambda is an interface that uses a single wavelength of light to reach a data rate of 100 Gbps. Single Lambda can reach up to 10 kilometers. 100G Single Lambda including 100GBASE-DR(100G-DR)、100GBASE-FR (100G-FR) and 100GBASE-LR (100G-LR) modules type.

9. PAM4 vs. NRZ Modulation

Without getting too technical, PAM4 modulation is a technique that allows for data transmission over four optical channels, as opposed to the two channels used by NRZ (non-return to zero) modulation. The advantage of PAM4 modulation is that it allows for higher data rates over the same optical fiber, which is why it is often used in 100G applications. 

Comparing PAM4 vs. NRZ, we could say PAM4 and NRZ are two different modulation formats used in 100G transceivers. PAM4 is more efficient and can reach higher data rates, while NRZ is more compatible with legacy systems.

10. Optical Power Budget: The optical power budget is the amount of power that can be lost in an optical fiber link before the signal becomes too weak to be detected. The optical power budget must be taken into account when designing and deploying a fiber optic link.

10. Forward error correction

Forward error correction (FEC) is a communication technique to improve data transmission reliability. It is employed when errors are detected in the data and is used to correct them. There are different types of FEC, each with its benefits and drawbacks.

One common type of FEC is Reed-Solomon codes. Reed-Solomon codes are very efficient at correcting errors but are also complex and require a lot of processing power. Another type of FEC is convolutional codes. Convolutional codes are less complicated than Reed-Solomon codes, but they are not as effective at correcting errors.

FEC can be utilized in a variety of applications, including communication systems, storage systems, and computer networks. It is a crucial tool for maintaining data transmission dependability, and it is frequently employed in circumstances when data integrity is critical.

Final Words

Now that you know the 10 terms you need to know for 100G transceiver optics, you can feel confident when discussing this topic with colleagues or customers. This technology is still evolving, so stay up-to-date on the latest advancements. Thanks for reading!