So here comes the question, how many types of Optical Transceiver are there? How to distinguish? Where are they used? This article is here to give you a simple literacy science popularization, and take you to understand those "small boxes" hidden in the cabinets of the computer room, but determine the speed of the entire network.
1. According to the transmission rate: from Gigabit to 1.6 T, the faster the more advanced
The most common classification is based on the * * rate (that is, how fast it can transmit data), such as:
1G/10G Optical Transceiver: It is used in scenarios such as ordinary enterprise networks and video surveillance, and is now considered "entry-level";
25G/40G/100G Optical Transceiver: suitable for 5G base stations and small and medium-sized data centers;
400G Optical Transceiver: the main product of large data centers, supercomputing centers, and cloud computing companies;
800G Optical Transceiver: the mainstream choice for AI training clusters and high-density computing power platforms;
1.6 T Optical Transceiver (under development): Serving the next-generation AI computing power center and ultra-large-scale cloud.
Little knowledge supplement: At present, many domestic companies are deploying 800G or even 1.6 TOptical Transceivers, such as Allrunopti, focusing on the optical interconnection direction of AI intelligent computing centers. They have fully deployed 400G/800G mainstream products and jointly developed 1.6 T high-bandwidth modules. Keep up with international trends.
2. According to the transmission distance: near, medium and far, each has its own merits
Different Optical Transceivers adapt to different transmission distances, which are commonly divided into:SR(short Reach)、LR (Long Reach)、ER/ZR(Extended/Zero Reach).
For example: Allrunopti's 400G/800G Optical Transceiver products cover short-distance SR8 and DR8, as well as long-distance ZR coherent Optical Transceiver, which can cover all-scenario requirements from internal connection to cross-campus transmission in AI clusters.
3. According to the packaging form: different shapes, different functional interfaces
Optical Transceiver can also be divided according to its "what it looks like", that is, the packaging standard, the common ones are:
SFP/SFP +: compact type, mainly 10G;
QSFP/QSFP28: support 40G/100G;
QSFP-DD (Double Density): supports 400G/800G;
OSFP (Octal SFP): larger, more suitable for 800G and above applications;
CFP series (older standard): Gradually replaced by QSFP-DD.
Different packages not only affect the size and power consumption of the module, but also affect whether it can be plugged into some switches or routers. Therefore, when purchasing, be sure to confirm the type of interface supported by the device.
For example: Most of the 800G Optical Transceivers currently promoted by Allrunopti use QSFP-DD or OSFP packages to adapt to mainstream switching platforms such as Nvidia, Huawei, and Arista.
4. According to the modulation technology points: PAM4, coherent, LPO...
As the speed becomes higher and higher, the "communication technology" of Optical Transceiver is also more complex, and the common ones are:
PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation): 400G/800G modules are commonly used, with higher efficiency;
Coherent modulation (Coherent): for long-distance transmission (such as 400G ZR), supports complex compensation algorithms;
LPO (Linear Direct Drive): A new technology that removes expensive DSP chips, has lower power consumption, and is more suitable for short-distance AI cluster deployment;
Silicon photonics (SiPh) integration technology: Integrating lasers and modulators into a silicon wafer is the mainstream direction in the future.
These technologies sound very profound, but in fact the key point is: different technical routes, adapting to different scenarios, costs and energy consumption requirements.
Allrunopti is one of the few manufacturers in China that promotes the three major technical routes of PAM4, LPO, and silicon photonics at the same time. Taking into account performance and domestic substitution, it is becoming a new force in the field of AI optical interconnection.
Select Optical Transceiver, first look at "Scene" and then select "Type". Finally, let's summarize the "three-step method" of choosing Optical Transceiver:
Determine the application scenario: Is it an AI data center? 5G prequel? Metro Interconnection?
Clear bandwidth requirements: 10G or 400G/800G? Short or long?
Confirm Device Interface: QSFP-DD or OSFP? Does hot swapping support?
Choosing the right Optical Transceiver is not only an increase in network speed, but also a key step in cost optimization and energy efficiency upgrade of the entire system.
In this era of intelligent computing, Optical Transceiver is no longer just a "component" of network equipment, but a nerve center driving the high-speed operation of the AI world. And a new generation of domestic brands like Allrunopti is the driving force behind these "small squares of light speed" that are stronger, more stable and smarter.
