MRV intros 40G Fiber Driver for data center applications

MRV Communications, Inc. (OTCQB: MRVC) has unveiled the EM316-2QSFP-40G, a 40G Fiber Driver module. As its name implies, the new module adds 40-Gbps media conversion and distance extension capabilities to MRV’s Fiber Driver DWDM platform.

The 40G Fiber Driver module offers media conversion, particularly between multimode fiber and singlemode fiber, as well as related reach extension up to 10-15 km. The company expects to increase that reach to 40 km in another quarter with the addition of 40GBase-ER4 optical transceivers.

The module also will mux four 10-Gbps inputs into a 40-Gbps optical channel.

The on slot module is a response to the demand for higher data rates in the data center, as well as the need to link data centers together, said Sergiu Rotenstein, director of product line management at MRV. The one-slot module is based on QSFP optical transceivers for high density – about twice the density of competing offerings, according to Rotenstein. The module offers power consumption of about 6.5 W per transceiver, which can be 25% to 75% less than alternatives, he added.

Like other MRV systems, the modules include a variety of built-in test capabilities; in this case, this includes the ability to provide pseudo random bit sequence (PRBS) transmissions. Rotenstein acknowledged that such built-in test capabilities are becoming an industry trend, but he said that MRV has been providing these features for some time and therefore sees them as a point of competitive differentiation. Other management features include digital diagnostics, link integrity notification, and loopback management. The last of these are available with either the command line interface or through a GUI with MRV’s management software.

The module has been delivered to customers for evaluation, Rotenstein revealed, and the company’s production lines are ready to roll.

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