10 Types of 100G QSFP28 Single Lambda Modules – Features and Advantages

The current popular 100G optical standards, such as 100G SR4, 100G LR4, 100G CWDM4, 100G PSM4, and 100G ER4 optical modules, all rely on four 25G optical channels for parallel transmission or WDM transmission. They all require a series of expensive optical devices and packages. In order to reduce the cost and improve the transmission rate, the industry has proposed the 100G single-lambda specification. Optical modules conforming to this specification are all modulated with single-wavelength 100G PAM4.

Differences between 100G traditional optical transceiver and 100G single lambda optical transceiver

Traditional 100G Optical Module

The traditional 100G optical module uses four 25G optical channels, and the four optical channels achieve 100G transmission through WDM or channel parallelism. Each channel requires separate transmitting and receiving devices, which places high demands on optical module power consumption, space layout, and cost.

100G Single Lambda Optical Module

The 100G single lambda optical module converts four 25G electrical signals into a single-wave 100G PAM4 optical signal for data transmission by using a DSP. The optical transmitting and receiving units are reduced from four to one, effectively reducing the internal optical complexity of the optical module. Since the number of components is reduced, the cost is greatly reduced (the cost of optical components accounts for about 60% of the overall optical module cost).

Types of 100G Single Lambda Module

The 100G single lambda optical modules currently include 100G QSFP28 DR, 100G QSFP28 FR, 100G QSFP28 FR CWDM, 100G QSFP28 LR, 100G QSFP28 LR CWDM, 100G QSFP28 LR BIDI 10km, 100G QSFP28 LR BIDI 20km, 100G QSFP28 ER Lite BIDI 30km, 100G QSFP28 ER BIDI 40km, and 100G DWDM QSFP28 ZR. They all belong to single-mode optical modules. The following table shows the specific parameters:

FiberMall PN	Mode	Connector	Fiber Type	Wavelength	Distance
QSFP28-100G-DR1	DR	Duplex LC	SMF	1310nm	500m
QSFP28-100G-FR1	FR	Duplex LC	SMF	1310nm	2km
QSFP28-100G-FR1-C27	FR	Duplex LC	SMF	1271nm	2km
QSFP28-100G-FR1-C29	FR	Duplex LC	SMF	1291nm	2km
QSFP28-100G-FR1-C31	FR	Duplex LC	SMF	1311nm	2km
QSFP28-100G-FR1-C33	FR	Duplex LC	SMF	1331nm	2km
QSFP28-100G-LR1	FR	Duplex LC	SMF	1310nm	10km
QSFP28-100G-LR1-C27	LR	Duplex LC	SMF	1271nm	10km
QSFP28-100G-LR1-C29	LR	Duplex LC	SMF	1291nm	10km
QSFP28-100G-LR1-C31	LR	Duplex LC	SMF	1311nm	10km
QSFP28-100G-LR1-C33	LR	Duplex LC	SMF	1331nm	10km
Q28-100G23-BX10	LR	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1271nm/Rx1331nm	10km
Q28-100G32-BX10	LR	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1331nm/Rx1271nm	10km
Q28-100G23-BX20	LR	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1271nm/Rx1331nm	20km
Q28-100G32-BX20	LR	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1331nm/Rx1271nm	20km
Q28-100G49-BX30	ER Lite	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1304nm/Rx1309nm	30km
Q28-100G94-BX30	ER Lite	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1309nm/Rx1304nm	30km
Q28-100G49-BX40	ER	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1304nm/Rx1309nm	40km
Q28-100G94-BX40	ER	Simplex LC	SMF	Tx1309nm/Rx1304nm	40km
Q28-DW100Gxx-80C	ZR	Duplex LC	SMF	C-Band	80km

100G QSFP28 DR

This product is a transceiver module designed for 500m optical communication applications. The module incorporates one channel optical signal, on 1310nm center wavelength,  operating at 50Gbaud data rate. The transmitter path incorporates an EML Driver and a cooled EML together. On the receiver path, the input optical signal is coupled to a Pin photodiode detector. A DSP-based gearbox is used to convert 4x25Gbps NRZ signals to 1x50Gbaud PAM4 signals. Also, a 4-channel retimer and FEC block are integrated with this DSP. The electrical interface is compliant with IEEE 802.3cd and QSFP28 MSA in the transmitting and receiving directions, and the optical interface is compliant with IEEE 802.3cd and 100G Lambda MSA with Duplex LC connector. The module has a maximum power consumption of 3.5W.

The product is designed with form factor, optical/electrical connection, and digital diagnostic interface according to the QSFP28 Multi-Source Agreement (MSA). It has been designed to meet the harshest external operating conditions including temperature, humidity, and EMI interference

100G QSFP28 FR

This product is a transceiver module designed for 2km optical communication applications. It converts the 4-channel of 100Gbps aggregated NRZ electrical input data into one channel of 50Gbaud PAM4 optical signal (light) on 1310nm center wavelength through a DSP-based gearbox, by a driven cooled Electro-absorption Modulated DFB Laser (EML). The light propagates out of the transmitter into an SMF fiber.

The receiver module accepts the 50Gbaud PAM4 optical signal input and converts it into a 50Gbaud PAM4 electrical signal via a linear amplifier. And then convert the 50Gbaud PAM4 signal into 4 channels of 25Gbps NRZ signals.

100G QSFP28 FR CWDM

FiberMall’s CWDM Single Lambda QSFP28 transceiver module is designed for use in 100 Gigabit Ethernet links over 2km single mode fiber. The module incorporates one channel optical signal, on 1271, 1291, 1311, or 1331nm center wavelength, operating at 50Gbaud data rate. The electrical interface of the module is compliant with the OIF CEI- 28G-VSR and compliant with QSFP28 MSA.

100G QSFP28 LR

Product Features

• QSFP28 MSA compliant
• Supports 53.125Gbaud
• 100G Lambda MSA 100G-LR Specification compliant
• Up to 10km transmission on single mode fiber (SMF) with FEC
• Operating case temperature: 0 to 70oC
• 4x25G electrical interface (OIF CEI-28G- VSR)
• Maximum power consumption 4.5W
• LC duplex connector
• RoHS compliant

Applications

• Data Center Interconnect
• 100G Ethernet
• Enterprise networking

100G QSFP28 LR CWDM

Product Features

• Supports 100Gbps
• 100G Lambda MSA 100G-LR Specification Compliant
• Single 3.3V Power Supply
• Power Dissipation < 4.5W
• Up to 10km over SMF with FEC
• QSFP28 MSA Compliant
• SFF-8636 Rev 2.10a Compliant
• 4x25G Electrical Interface
• LC Duplex Connector
• Commercial Case Temperature Range of 0°C to 70°C
• I 2 C Interface With Integrated Digital Diagnostic Monitoring
• Safety Certification: TUV/UL/FDA
• RoHS Compliant

Applications

• Data Center Interconnect
• 100G Ethernet

100G QSFP28 LR BIDI 10km

Product Features

• Supports 100GBASE-LR1 BIDI
• Lane signaling rate 103.125/106.25/111.8Gb/s with PAM4
• Compatibility with 100G OTU4
• Up to 10km transmission on SMF
• EML Laser and PIN receiver
• 78Gb/s with NRZ electrical interface (CAUI-4)
• High-speed I/O electrical interface
• I2C interface with integrated Digital Diagnostic monitoring
• QSFP28 MSA package with simplex LC connector
• Single +3.3V power supply
• Support HW TX_DIS and RX_LOS for telecom application
• Maximum power consumption 4.5 W
• Operating case temperature: 0 to +70 ℃
• Compliant to 802.3cu, SFF-8636&SFF-8679 standard
• Complies with EU Directive 2011/65/EU

Applications

• 100GGBASE-LR1 BIDI

100G QSFP28 LR BIDI 20km

100G BIDI QSFP28 optical transceiver uses the wavelengths of TX1271nm/RX1331nm with PAM4 signals for up to 20km transmission over single-mode fiber. The module supports 103.125/106.25/111.8Gb/s with PAM4 lane signaling data rate with a simplex LC connector using the QSFP28 footprint. This bidirectional transceiver is fully compliant with QSFP28 MSA, 100G OTU4, 802.3cu, SFF-8636 & SFF-8679 specifications in 100GBASE-LR1 BIDI applications. The hot-swapping module features an I2C interface with integrated digital diagnostic monitoring functions.

FiberMall P/N	Q28-100G23-BX20	Vendor Name	FiberMall
Form Factor	QSFP28	Max Data Rate	111.8Gbps
Wavelength	TX1271nm/RX1331nm	Max Distance	20km
Connector	Simplex LC	Transmitter Type	EML
Cable Type	SMF	Receiver Type	PIN
DDM Support	Yes	Modulation Format	PAM4
TX Power	-0.2~+6.6dBm	Receiver Sensitivity	< -7.6dBm
Protocols	802.3cu, SFF-8636 & SFF-8679, 100G OTU4, QSFP28 MSA	Operation Temperature	0 to 70℃ (32 to 158℉)

100G QSFP28 ER Lite BIDI 30km

Product Features

• Supports 100GBASE-ER1-30 BIDI
• Lane signaling rate 106.25Gb/s with PAM4
• Up to 30km transmission on SMF
• EML laser and APD receiver
• 78Gb/s with NRZ electrical interface (CAUI-4)
• High-speed I/O electrical interface
• I2C interface with integrated Digital Diagnostic monitoring
• QSFP28 MSA package with simplex LC connector
• Single +3.3V power supply
• Maximum power consumption 4.5 W
• Operating case temperature: 0 to +70 °C
• Compliant to 802.3cu, SFF-8636&SFF-8679 standard
• Complies with EU Directive 2015/863/EU

Application

• 100GBASE-ER1-30 BIDI

100G QSFP28 ER BIDI 40km

100G BIDI QSFP28 optical transceiver uses the wavelengths of TX1309nm/RX1304nm with PAM4 signals for up to 40km transmission over single-mode fiber. The module supports 103.125/106.25/111.8Gb/s with PAM4 lane signaling data rate with a simplex LC connector using the QSFP28 footprint. This bidirectional transceiver is fully compliant with QSFP28 MSA, 100G OTU4, 802.3cu, SFF-8636 & SFF-8679 specifications in 100GBASE-LR1 BIDI applications. The hot-swapping module features an I2C interface with integrated digital diagnostic monitoring functions.

FiberMall P/N	Q28-100G94-BX40	Vendor Name	FiberMall
Form Factor	QSFP28	Max Data Rate	111.8Gbps
Wavelength	TX1309nm/RX1304nm	Max Distance	40km
Connector	Simplex LC	Transmitter Type	EML
Cable Type	SMF	Receiver Type	APD
DDM Support	Yes	Modulation Format	PAM4
TX Power	1.7~+7.1dBm	Receiver Sensitivity	< -13.8dBm
Protocols	802.3cu, SFF-8636 & SFF-8679, 100G OTU4, QSFP28 MSA	Operation Temperature	0 to 70℃ (32 to 158℉)

100G Single Wave DWDM QSFP28 ZR

Product Features

• Supports 100Gbps
• Available in all C-Band Wavelengths on the 100GHz DWDM ITU Grid
• 80km reach over SMF with EDFA&DCM (dispersion compensation modules)
• QSFP28 MSA Compliant
• SFF-8636 Rev 2.10a Compliant
• 4x25G Electrical Interface
• LC Duplex Connector
• Single 3.3V Power Supply
• Power Dissipation < 5.5W
• Commercial Case Temperature Range of 0°C to 70°C
• I2C Interface with Integrated Digital Diagnostic Monitoring
• Safety Certification: TUV/UL/FDA
• RoHS Compliant

Applications

• 100G Amplified DWDM Networks
• Data Center Interconnects

The 100G Single Lambda optical module as a complement to the traditional 100G optical module

100G QSFP28 DR optical module using single-mode OS2 optical fiber can be transmitted up to 500 m, 100G QSFP28 FR using single-mode OS2 optical fiber can be transmitted up to 2 km, 100G QSFP28 LR using single-mode OS2 optical fiber can be transmitted up to 10 km, 100G QSFP28 LR using single-mode OS2 optical fiber can be transmitted up to 10 km. The 100G QSFP28 ER can travel up to 40km using single-mode OS2 fibers, and they fully meet carrier-class stability applications. The 100G single lambda optical module can be used as an alternative or supplement to 100G long-distance transmission, which is more cost-effective (as shown in the following figure).

100G Single Lambda optical module supports a 400G network

100G Single Lambda optical module adopts single-channel 100G PAM4 technology, which lays the foundation for the development of 400G(4*100G) Ethernet. It facilitates the upgrade of a 400 Gbit/s network, reduces the complexity of optical components inside the 400 Gbit/s optical modules, reduces the use of optical fibers, and saves cabling costs. For example, the 400G QFP-DD DR4 optical module adopts the 100GBASE-DR specification, so the 400G QFP-DD DR4 optical module can be connected to four 100G QSFP28 DR optical modules using MPO branch cables, which can be used for interconnection between the top switch and the server (as shown in the following figure).