Molex is ramping up its production of 400G ZR QSFP-DD Coherent Optical Transceivers for next generation data centers. (Image: PRNewswire/Molex)
Collaboration with Marvell is said to simplify and strengthen edge and data center networks
March 1, 2022
LISLE, Ill.— Molex is ramping production of its commercially available 400G ZR QSFP-DD pluggable, coherent optical transceivers to support increasing demands for advanced data center interconnect (DCI) components, the company said in a release.
The 400G ZR and 400G ZR+ products are an integral part of Molex’s expanding optical transceiver portfolio, and are designed to deliver optimized data transmission rates with low power consumption in a small form factor, according to Molex.
“Molex is meeting the need for faster transmission speeds both between and inside next-gen data centers,” said Joseph Chon, director, Coherent Technology and Product Line Management, Molex Optoelectronics, in the release. “By ramping commercialization and production of the 400G ZR product line, we can enable mega-cloud data center operators to better address a vast range of high-density, bandwidth-intensive applications.”
The rapid rise in work-from-home and distance learning has created unprecedented bandwidth requirements, which also are impacted by major adoption of streaming video, social networking, and applications leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. As a result, data center operators are seeking high-density, low-latency and low-power Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) links to connect multiple data centers, Molex said in the release.
Molex’s 400G ZR QSFP-DD coherent optical transceivers enable operators to connect data centers within a region, allowing them to function as a single data center without the need for a separate transport box, the company said.
Designed in compliance with the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) 400G ZR standard, Molex’s 400G ZR is reported to be among the first standards-based, pluggable coherent optical modules to be commercially available in volume. The 400G OpenZR+, slated for availability in the second quarter, extends reach from 120km to about 600km at low power consumption to enable 12.8T in 1RU switch or router chassis, according to the release.
Molex also completed experimental verification of 400 Gb/s data transmission over DCI ZR distances in a 75 GHz spaced DWDM link with amplification in an Open Line System (OLS). Using the compact, cost-effective Molex 400G ZR QSFP-DD transceiver modules in conjunction with 75 GHz OLS increases bandwidth capacity of optical fibers in a DCI application, the company said, and can decrease the cost per bit significantly.
Molex also reported that it is collaborating with Marvell to further enable simplified, more reliable edge and data center networks. Marvell plans to work with Molex on a 400G QSFP-DD optical module based on the Marvell® Deneb™ Coherent DSP (CDSP), while fully supporting the OpenZR+ Multi-Source Agreement (MSA), according to the release.
Molex is a global company known for its design and manufacturing of a broad range of electronic components, including connectors, transceivers, cable assemblies, and flexible printed circuits, among others. Employing decades of experience in the data center, telecom, and networking industries, the company works to help streamline critical network infrastructure upgrades while addressing an array of technology challenges with higher-frequency communications and connectivity.
Molex’s expertise includes signal-integrity and optical wavelength management, optical transceivers and connectivity, and radio frequency (RF) technology and antennas, as well as mmWave and micro connectors. Its product design, testing, and manufacturing capabilities extend across the 5G ecosystem of network service providers, equipment OEMs, and device manufacturers, along with key stakeholders in automotive, consumer, enterprise, industrial, and medical markets, the company said.
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