Berk-Tek, Prysmian extend reach of CD compensating multimode fibers

As data center networks rapidly adopt higher data rates like 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) and 100 Gigabit Ethernet, the demand for longer-reach, high-performance cabling increases. To meet these requirements, Berk-Tek’s Data Communications Competence Center (DCCC) and Prysmian Group have demonstrated the extended distance capability of chromatic dispersion compensating (CDC) multimode fibers (MMFs).

Chromatic dispersion limits the maximum reach of higher-speed and longer-reach MMF links. By utilizing chromatic-dispersion compensating OM4-Plus fibers, Berk-Tek says it has successfully transmitted 40GbE traffic over 1.2 km with no errors, surpassing the objective bit error rate of 10^-12.

This transmission was accomplished using 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Ethernet optical transceivers, and a Berk-Tek cable configured in a two-connector channel consisting of Prysmian Group’s chromatic dispersion compensating MaxCap-BB-OM4-Plus optical fiber. The traffic was generated and verified by an Ixia XM2 chassis outfitted with Xcellon-Lava dual-speed, 40/100GbE higher speed Ethernet load modules.

“Successfully going over 1200 m across two connection pairs using chromatic dispersion compensating fiber clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when you combine Berk-Tek’s outstanding quality optical cable and connectors in support of next-generation communications technologies,” said Eric Lawrence, vice president of R&D and advanced marketing at Berk-Tek.

Berk-Tek says the DCCC’s advanced research capabilities allow it to identify critical performance parameters among the available optical fiber types. “Prysmian Group’s MaxCap-BB-OM4-Plus extends the reach of multimode systems to cover most links in large data centers,” said Eric Stoltz, director telecom R&D with Prysmian Group.

Berk-Tek and Prysmian Group will present their findings at OFC/NFOEC 2013 at the Technical Conference on Wednesday March 20th.

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