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NADDOD 400G QSFP-DD Coherent Modules: A Deep Dive

Nathan
Optics Application Engineer · Aug 28, 20245360Optical Transceivers

With the rapid development of cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence, various application scenarios such as data center interconnect (DCI), metro networks, and long-haul networks demand optical transmission platforms with higher speeds, greater capacity, and higher density while minimizing complexity. Traditional transmission systems face challenges in terms of capacity and transmission distance, and construction costs have significantly increased. As a result, coherent optical modules have seen rapid growth, with the 400G QSFP-DD DCO coherent optical module emerging as a compact, pluggable solution that offers an open, flexible, and interoperable design. It caters to hyperscale data centers for edge and regional interconnects, as well as potential future use cases in carrier networks.

 

Key Technology of the 400G QSFP-DD Digital Coherent Optics

 

  • Coherent Detection Technology: At the heart of coherent optical modules is coherent detection technology. This method precisely measures the amplitude, phase, and polarization of the received optical signal, utilizing digital signal processing (DSP) to restore the original data. Compared to traditional direct detection, coherent detection provides significant advantages:
    • High Sensitivity: Capable of detecting extremely weak optical signals, enhancing system reception sensitivity.
    • High Spectral Efficiency: Supports advanced modulation formats (e.g., QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM), which improve spectral utilization.
    • Long-Distance Transmission: Effectively compensates for impairments such as chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion, enabling longer transmission distances.
    • Digital Signal Processing: DSP allows for signal equalization, compensation, and restoration, significantly improving system performance.
  • Multi-Channel Transmission: The QSFP-DD interface supports multi-channel transmission, with each channel independently transmitting data, thus enhancing overall transmission efficiency and maximizing bandwidth utilization.
  • Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM): The DCO module supports integration with DWDM technology, enabling multiple high-bandwidth channels to be transmitted over a single fiber, optimizing fiber resource utilization.

 

NADDOD's 400G QSFP-DD Digital Coherent Optics

NADDOD’s 400G QSFP-DD DCO coherent optical module, housed in a QSFP-DD form factor, is designed to address a wide range of hyperscale data center applications. It enables high-performance edge and regional interconnects and supports emerging telecom carrier transmission architectures. This module can transmit 400 Gbps over distances of up to 120 km, with excellent optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) and power consumption characteristics, adhering to the OIF 400ZR implementation agreement and QSFP-DD MSA standards. The module leverages state-of-the-art tunable integrated laser assemblies (ITLA), 7nm coherent DSP chips, and silicon photonics-based coherent optical subassemblies (COSA) to ensure reliable performance in high-density environments.

 

naddod-qdd-400g-coherent modules

NADDOD-400G-QDD-Coherent modules

 

400G QSFP-DD ZR - NADDOD

The 400G QSFP-DD ZR module combines DWDM with DP-16QAM modulation, enabling 400G data transmission over DCI links ranging from 80 to 120 km. Bare fiber supports transmission up to 40 km, while optical amplification extends the range to 120 km. This module is designed for high-performance, low-power transmission, packaged in a standardized form factor, making it ideal for long-haul metro networks and data center interconnect (DCI) applications.

 

qdd-400g-zr+-coherent

 

400G QSFP-DD ZR+ - NADDOD

The 400G QSFP-DD ZR+ module, compliant with the OpenZR+ MSA standard, builds upon the simplicity of the 400ZR Ethernet-specific host interface while adding support for the following enhanced features:

 

  • Extended Transmission with O-FEC: Utilizes a high-performance O-FEC algorithm to extend transmission distances beyond 120 km for 400G Ethernet DCI applications.
  • Multi-Rate Ethernet Support: Enables multiplexing of 100GbE and 200GbE client signals over line-side links, optimizing traffic management for switch and router equipment.
  • Adjustable Line-Side Transmission: Supports flexible 100G, 200G, 300G, or 400G line-side transmission (with QPSK, 8QAM, or 16QAM modulation) to optimize coverage and capacity across various network links.
  • Enhanced Dispersion Tolerance: Increases chromatic dispersion tolerance, improving performance over fiber links with high levels of impairments.

 

openzr

 

400G QSFP-DD ZR+ Pro (Hight Power/Light)

The 400G QSFP-DD ZR+ High Power module is an enhanced version of the ZR+ offering, with the following key advantages:

 

  • Extended Transmission Range: Increases Tx optical power to +1dBm, supporting longer transmission distances.
  • High Power Output: Overcomes high fiber link losses, ensuring signal integrity and stability across extended distances.
  • Standardized Packaging: Maintains the QSFP-DD form factor, ensuring seamless compatibility and easy deployment with existing network equipment.
  • Superior Signal Quality: Employs advanced coherent reception and DSP technologies to mitigate chromatic dispersion, non-linear effects, and noise, ensuring high-quality signal transmission.
  • Low Power Design: Despite the increased output power, the ZR+ High Power module features an optimized design that maintains relatively low power consumption, making it ideal for power-sensitive environments.

 

Key Advantages of the 400G QSFP-DD DCO Coherent Optical Module in Long-Distance Transmission

 

  • High Integration and Compact Design: The 400G QSFP-DD DCO module integrates the DSP chip within the optical module itself, offering a high level of integration. Its compact QSFP-DD form factor enables deployment in existing data center and network equipment, significantly reducing space and power consumption requirements.
  • Ultra-High Data Transmission Rates: The module supports transmission rates of up to 400Gbps, meeting the ever-increasing bandwidth demands of modern data centers and backbone networks.
  • Long-Distance Transmission Capability: With its built-in DSP, the module enhances signal processing capabilities, enabling transmission distances of hundreds of kilometers without the need for repeaters. This makes it ideal for metro and wide-area network (WAN) applications.
  • Superior Signal Quality: Thanks to advanced DSP algorithms, the DCO module provides exceptional signal quality with low bit error rates, maintaining reliable communication even in challenging environments.
  • Flexible Modulation Formats: The module supports various modulation formats, such as QPSK and 16QAM, allowing it to adapt to different transmission distances and network requirements, optimizing bandwidth utilization and transmission efficiency.
  • Broad Compatibility: The 400G QSFP-DD DCO module is compatible with a wide range of fiber optic network equipment, supporting multiple transmission protocols and standards, enabling smooth deployment in existing network infrastructures and ensuring future upgrade paths.
  • Low Power Consumption: Despite its powerful performance, the module is designed for energy efficiency, keeping power consumption low, which is ideal for high-density deployments in data centers.
  • Simplified Network Architecture: The high integration and functionality of the 400G QSFP-DD DCO module simplify network architecture by reducing the need for external electro-optical devices, lowering overall network complexity and operational costs.

 

Fueled by the rapid progress in cloud computing, big data, and AI, coherent optical modules—leveraging advanced coherent detection technology, robust DSP capabilities, and exceptional transmission performance—have become a key solution for building high-speed interconnect networks. NADDOD is committed to delivering high-quality 400G QSFP-DD DCO coherent optical modules, designed to meet the increasing need for high-performance and reliable optical communication systems. In addition, NADDOD offers a comprehensive range of high-performance optical connectivity solutions, including 800G/400G/200G optical transceivers, DACs, and AOCs, specifically engineered for AI data centers, edge computing, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments, ensuring optimal performance and scalability for the most demanding applications.

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