Beyond 100G client optics

Major client optics applications are the high-density data center, structured data center, carrier central office, general data center, and metro inter data center, corresponding to link reaches from 100 m to 40 km. First-generation 100G multimode fiber and single-mode fiber client optics are based on 10 × 10G electrical lane and 10 × 10G or 4 × 25G optical lane architectures. Next-generation 100G MMF and SMF client optics will be based on 4 × 25G electrical lane and 4 × 25G optical lane architecture. Beyond 100G, it is likely the next standard will be 400G based on extensions of 100G technologies. Beyond 400G, 1.6T is a possible standard, requiring highly novel technologies.

Introduction

First-generation 100G optics are deployed into high-performance computing (HPC), Internet data center (IDC), and carrier central office (CCO) high-end applications. Next-generation 100G optics are now being defined and standardized to enable continued network bandwidth growth and extension into high-volume applications. To support further bandwidth growth, the communications industry is investigating technologies beyond 100G. This article contributes client optics considerations.