MSA for quad SFP transceivers supports 100-Mbit Ethernet up to 4-Gbit Fibre Channel
March 4, 2005 San Jose, CA -- Nine component suppliers -- including Agilent Technologies Inc., Applied Micro Circuits Corp., Hitachi-Cable America, Infineon Technologies Fiber Optics GmbH, JDS Uniphase Corp., Molex Inc., Optical Communication Products, Inc., Picolight Inc., and Tyco Electronics -- have collaborated to create a new multi-source agreement (MSA) for an integrated multi-standard quad small-form-factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver to support Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and SONET/SDH with data rates of up to 4.25 Gbits/sec.
The QSFP MSA defines a transceiver module mechanical form-factor with latching mechanism and a host board SFP-like electrical edge connector and cage. The hot-pluggable module integrates four transmit and four receive channels with a standard MPO parallel optical connector. The QSFP device features digital optical diagnostic capability to monitor the link performance. The MSA will also define a multi-cage stacking configuration for increased density applications.
This companies behind the MSA expect the module will enable network equipment manufacturers to increase port density and system data throughput and consequently reduce costs per gigabit per second significantly.
The QSFP MSA group will make details of the specification available to the industry so that other optical transceiver manufacturers can produce compatible products. Various companies expect to begin shipping QSFP transceivers in the first half of 2006.
More information about joining the MSA and status and availability of the specification is available at www.qsfpmsa.org.