Classification and Application of 800G Optical Module

Technical classification of 800G optical modules

1. Package type

- QSFP-DD 800: Dual-density package, compatible with existing 56G PAM4 electrical interface, supports 8 channels×100G, suitable for data centre internal leaf ridge architecture, port density increased by 50%.

- OSFP 800: Optimised thermal design to support higher power consumption (≤21W), suitable for long-haul coherent transmission, mainly used in DCI (Data Centre Interconnect) and telecom backbone networks.

- CFP8: Large-size package with integrated DSP and thermal module, designed for ultra-long-haul (≥1000km) coherent optical transmission, suitable for submarine cables and intercontinental networks.

2. Transmission technology

- PAM4 direct detection:

l Scenarios: internal data centre (≤2km), server to switch.

l Advantages: low cost, power consumption <14W, supports multi-mode fibre (MMF) and single-mode fibre (SMF).

- Coherent optical (DCO/CFP):

l Scenarios: metro/long-haul DCI (80 km~2000 km), 5G pre-transmission/mid-transmission.

l Advantage: Supports QPSK/16QAM dynamic modulation, single-wave 800G unrepeatered transmission distance up to 600km.

3. Transmission distance

- Short distance (SR8): 100m (multimode fibre), for interconnection of equipment in cabinets.

- Medium distance (DR8/FR4): 500 m~2 km (single-mode fibre), for data centre campus interconnection.

- Long distance (LR4/ZR): 10 km~120 km, for metro DCI and telecom aggregation layer.

- Ultra long distance (ER/XR): >120km, suitable for inter-regional backbone network.

Core application scenarios of 800G optical module in Sintai

1. Hyperscale data centre

- Leaf Ridge Network Upgrade: QSFP-DD 800G module achieves 25.6T rack switching capacity, supports lossless communication for AI training cluster, with latency <100ns.

2. Data centre interconnection (DCI)

- Metro/long-haul interconnection: Coherent 800G ZR+ module supports 25.6T capacity on a single fibre, reducing transmission cost by 60% compared with 400 G.

3. Telecommunication networks

- 5G pre-transmission/mid-transmission: 800G LR4 supports C-RAN architecture and carries 100,000 5G user sessions on a single module.

- Optical transport network (OTN network): CFP8 coherent module achieves 1.6T single-wave and builds an all-optical backbone network.

4. High performance computing (HPC)

- Supercomputing centre interconnection: Sintai 800G FR4 module supports InfiniBand HDR protocol to meet EB-level data real-time analysis.

Technical advantages of 800g optical modules

1. Bandwidth density revolution: 1U device supports 48×800G ports, with a single rack capacity of 38.4T, increasing space utilisation by 3 times.

2. Energy efficiency breakthrough: Silicon optical integration technology reduces power consumption to 14W/800G, a 50% increase in energy efficiency over 400 G.

3. Protocol compatibility: Support Ethernet, InfiniBand, Fibre Channel, and other multi-protocols to adapt to mixed service scenarios.

4. Future-ready: Backward compatible with 400G/200G rate, smooth upgrade to 1.6T, protect customer investment.

Industry trends and selection suggestions

1. Preferred for Short Distance: QSFP-DD 800G SR8

- Advantage: Low cost, low power consumption, suitable for interconnecting AI servers and switches.

- Challenge: Multimode fibre cabling needs to be upgraded to OM5.

2. Preferred for long-haul: OSFP 800G ZR+

- Advantage: Supports dynamic modulation (QPSK/16QAM) and flexible transmission distance.

- Challenge: need to match high-performance FEC and DSP chips. 3.

3. Ultra-long distance is just needed: CFP8 coherent 800 G.

- Advantage: single wave 1.6T potential, support for submarine cables and transcontinental networks.

- Challenge: Higher initial cost and need for customised heat dissipation solutions.

Future evolution: from 800G to 1.6T

- 2025: LPO (linear direct drive) technology commercially available, power consumption reduced by another 30%, latency <50ns.

- 2026: CPO (co-packaged optics) integrated optoelectronic engine, single rack capacity exceeds 100T.

- 2027: Quantum optical communication prototype on the ground, secure transmission rate of 10 Tbps.