JDSU touts tunable SFP+ optical transceiver module/Avago 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel transceiver now in production

Having been first to market with a tunable XFP, JDSU (NASDAQ: JDSU) (TSX: JDU) says it has developed a tunable SFP+ optical transceiver module that will also be the first such device out of the gate. The module, which JDSU says is being demonstrated to customers, leverages the same Integrated Laser Mach-Zehnder (ILMZ) chip as the tunable XFP to provide full C-Band tunability. JDSU expects it to be in production within the next 12 months. As with other tunable devices, the tunable SFP+ transceivers will replace fixed-wavelength optical transceiver modules, particularly in enterprise and metro network equipment, JDSU says. The advent of tunable SFP+ modules will provide flexible wavelength provisioning and lower inventory requirements, the company adds. For example, the device will support remote configurability and 50-GHz channel spacing. In addition to replacing fixed SFP+ optical transceiver modules, JDSU also anticipates that equipment designers will adopt them in place of X2 and XENPAK transceivers. "The invention of the tunable SFP+ transceiver is the latest example of how JDSU's focus on R&D and vertical integration has translated into innovative and compelling new products," said Alan Lowe, president of the CCOP segment at JDSU. "We're very excited by initial feedback from customers who have told us that the tunable SFP+ transceiver will help them more efficiently manage their enterprise and metro networks." Avago Technologies (Nasdaq:AVGO) says its new AFBR-57F5PZ SFP+ transceivers for 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel applications have reached production status. The transceivers support industry-standard signaling rates up to 14.025 GBd. Avago expects the modules to find application in switches, routers, host bus adapters, RAID controllers, tape drives, and video switching, as well as inter-switch and inter-chassis aggregated links. While the AFBR-57F5PZ SFP+ transceiver offers twice the capacity of 8 Gigabit Fibre Channel devices, it operates at “essentially” the same power level, Avago asserts. The SFP+ module’s transmitter and receiver can operate at different data rates, as is often required during Fibre Channel speed negotiation. The module maintains compatibility with legacy 8 Gigabit and 4 Gigabit Fibre Channel devices as well, Avago says. Avago also touts the following additional features: Operating temperature range of 0° to 70° C and supply voltage of 3.3 V ± 5% Lead-free and RoHS-compliant Digital diagnostic features per SFF-8472 LC Duplex optical connector interface conforming to ANSI TIA/EIA604-10 (FOCIS 10A) Enhanced EMI performance for high port density applications. The AFBR-57F5PZ transceiver incorporates Avago’s 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and PIN detector technology. This combination ensures that the multi-rate SFP+ module is compliant with FC-PI-5 and 16G/8G/4G Fibre Channel specifications, the company states. The module will respond to both rate select pin and control bit inputs, which simplifies Fibre Channel host auto-negotiation algorithms, layout, and software, Avago adds. The AFBR-57F5PZ 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel transceiver is priced at $215.35 each in 100-piece quantities. Samples and production quantities are available now through the Avago direct sales channel and via worldwide distribution partners.