ACTIVE OPTICAL CABLES: Cost-effective cabling solutions for Datacenter, Storage and Enterprise Applications
INTRODUCTION – Understanding the problem
Active Optical Cables (AOC) are reliable, high-speed, and plug-and-play cabling solutions that can provide connectivity at data rates up to 400Gbps and link distances up to 100 meters.
As bandwidth demand is soaring and datacenter clusters grow in size, the limitations of copper-based cable technology become more prominent. AOCs were introduced to overcome many of the drawbacks introduced by copper cables, such as:
• Shorter range, typically less than 30 meters
• Limited reliability due to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
• Heavy, bulky, and difficult to physically manage
AOCs EXPLAINED
They consist of two transceivers permanently attached through a multimode optical patch chord, with all three components operating as one cohesive system.
AOC cables operate in the following manner:
• Receive an electrical signal
• Convert the signal from electrical to optical
• Send it through a permanently attached Multimode fiber
• Convert the signal back to electrical
ADVANTAGES
1. HIGH BANDWIDTH
Up to 400Gbps
2. EASY INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Eliminate the need for detached transceivers
3. LONGER DISTANCES
Supports lengths up to 100 meters
4. RELIABILITY & COST-EFFECTIVENESS
More reliable as they are not impacted by EMI
DATACENTER APPLICATIONS
Revamping Datacenters In Two Different Ways
Datacenters are the perfect place for AOCs, where reliable point-to-point connections are needed for inter & intra rack connection
COPPER SUBSTITUTE
AOCs were built to substitute copper cables and eliminate its inherent problems
EMI Interference
Copper cables can cause Electric Magnetic Interference. AOCs use optical connections that cause no interference.
Inventory Management
The weight of copper cables is a challenge to manage. AOCs are thin and light, and much easier to manage.
Distance
Copper cables connections have limited distance. AOCs can perform distances up to 100m.
Cost
AOCs offer a better cost-performance solution, bringing the advantages of optical connections at a lower cost.
OPTICAL ALTERNATIVE
AOCs can also be an alternative to conventional high-bandwidth optical solutions.
Cost
AOCs have a considerable cost advantage over conventional systems when considering the whole system.
Lower Downtimes
Issues with systems are much easier to be fixed with AOCs, since the entire system is changed. Eliminates the need to test individual components.
Inventory Management
AOCs come as a single system and as a single part number, which is easier to manage than individual transceivers and patch cords.
SOLUTION PORTFOLIO – LambdaGain’s cost-effective AOC product offering
MAJOR OEM COMPATIBILITY
LambdaGain modules have been developed and designed to be fully interoperable with the major equipment manufacturers in the telecom network industry. We provide compatible optical interfaces, ensuring the highest quality and seamless integration into your network.
40G / 100G options
• 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+
For use between two QSFP+ ports
• 40 QSFP+ to 4x SFP+
Breakout Active Optical Cable: for use in 40G to 4x 10G applications
• 100G QSFP28 to QSFP28
For use between two QSFP28 ports
• 100G QSFP28 to 4x 25 SFP28
Breakout Active Optical Cable: for use in 100G to
4x 25G applications
100Gbps of aggregate bandwidth
10g/25G options
• 10G SFP+ to SFP+ AOC
For use between two SFP+ ports
• 25G SFP28 to SFP28 AOC
For use between two SFP28 ports
