Salumanus offer new solutions for 400G transmission

To support the move towards a new generation of optical transceivers, Salumanus has launched two new types of modules. Built as part of the standard QSFP-DD interface, the 400G ZR and 400G ZR+ from GBC Photonics, Salumanus’ own manufacturing line, will power 400G connections and offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution for network and data centre operators.

The new products are part of a wider project in telecommunications to solve the increasing data traffic demand. New technologies like AI, machine learning, cloud storage and virtual reality place massive demands on the network infrastructure. 400G is a promising new technology that allows for high-capacity connectivity and reliable bandwidth with low operational expenses and a smaller footprint.

Previous generations of coherent technology relied on CFP and CFP2 interfaces, which were unable to work directly with network equipment that had QSFP28 interfaces for 100G ports and QSFP-DD for 400G ports.

The 400G ZR and 400G ZR+ modules can be installed directly in the equipment, avoiding the need to invest in additional muxponders and transponders and cutting the initial installation price by more than 50 per cent. On top of this, both modules are CMIS compliant, which means that parameters like modulation, channel number and FEC type could all be set directly with a switch or a router command line.

“It is our goal at Salumanus to make new technologies more affordable so that companies of all sizes can benefit from the best solutions,” explained Marcin Bala, CTO at Salumanus Ltd. “ For those who are still using equipment that does not support coherent optics parameters directly from command line, we have developed the Simple Recode Device, which can be used to set up the required parameters of brand new QSFP-DD ZR/ZR+ coherent transceivers and then install them directly in the network equipment to make the investment more effective.”

QSFP-DD 400G ZR is compliant with OIF 400ZR standard, supports CFEC, 16QAM modulation and is able to run link for up to 120km, with OSRN around 24dB. At the same time, QSFP-DD 400G ZR+, compliant with MSA OpenZR+ standard, supports OFEC, and three different types of modulation: QPSK, 8QAM and 16QAM. As a result, on line side operators could have 100G or 200G using QPSK, 300G using 8QAM and 400G using 16QAM. From a host side perspective, QSFP-DD 400G ZR supports 400GbE throughput, while QSFP-DD 400G ZR+ supports 400GbE as well as Nx100GbE (N between 1 and 4).

These abilities enable the transport capacity of 400Gb/s per wavelength to be delivered at an optimum cost per bit, with fewer equipment needed and reliable throughput.

While being highly efficient and cost-effective, the new solutions are also ideal for a more sustainable network. The power consumption reaches up to 18W for QSFP-DD 400G ZR and up to 21W for QSFP-DD 400G ZR+. A typical transponder or muxponder consumes around 50-100W, while a CFP2 200G solution requires approximatively 20W. Choosing a QSFP-DD solution can save as much as 60 to 70 per cent in energy costs.

“We are not only committed to offering the best solutions for our clients, but we also feel we have a duty towards the environment,” added Marcin Bala. “In fact, very large data centres with multiple machines and cabinets require more than 100 megawatts of power capacity, which is enormous. That’s why we want to promote sustainable solutions that consume less while maintaining their efficiency. The two new QSFP-DD modules do that and more.

“Power and cost savings, high throughput and simplified installation and deployment make the QSDP-DD 400G ZR and 400G ZR+ ideal for all network operators who want to invest in the new generation of optical transceivers and prepare for future network demands