QSFP-DD MSA plans QSFP-DD1600 module for 1.6-Tbps networks

The QSFP-DD1600 will leverage 200-Gbps serial PAM4 SerDes technology over the module’s standard eight lanes and maintain backwards compatibility with QSFP and previous QSFP-DD modules and cables.

Stephen Hardy

March 14, 2023

2 min read

The QSFP-DD Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) has revealed plans to create specifications for a 1.6-Tbps version of the module form factor. The QSFP-DD1600 will leverage 200-Gbps serial PAM4 SerDes technology over the module’s standard eight lanes and maintain backwards compatibility with QSFP and previous QSFP-DD modules and cables.

The MSA members say the new specification will also maintain the QSFP-DD’s riding heatsink feature. They did not say when they expect work on the new specification to be completed.

“QSFP-DD’s backwards compatibility has been critical to our operational approach to upgrading the network,” commented Jamie Gaudette, partner network engineering manager at Microsoft. “We encourage the MSA’s work on QSFP-DD1600.”

“The system design flexibility that QSFP-DD enables greatly reduces the challenges in building systems with high-power modules,” added Mark Nowell, MSA co-chair. “The riding heatsink, besides enabling backwards compatibility, is an asset to system designers.”

The QSFP-DD MSA is supported by more than 60 companies who seek to address the technical challenges of achieving a double-density interface and ensuring mechanical, electrical, thermal, and signal-integrity interoperability.

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy

Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.