Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP) has become the workhorse pluggable module form factor. Originally intended as the next step past SFP/SFP+, QSFP supports data rates at 10 Gbps per channel (40 Gbps aggregate) and 25 Gbps per channel (100 Gbps aggregate).
The current QSFP solution meets the demands of the telecom/datacom industries, for now. As advanced ASIC and FPGA solutions hit the market, a next generation module that overcomes the limitations of QSFP needs to perform at 50 Gbps+ per channel.
Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density – The Next Generation
The Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) MSA was formed last year with that goal in mind.
Samtec and 51 other industry leaders today announced the QSFP-DD form factor specification. QSFP-DD increased throughput over QSFP by adding a second row of contact enabling support for an eight-lane electrical interface. QSFP-DD is also backward compatible with QSFP.
QSFP-DD solutions will also support 25 Gbps NRZ/50 Gbps PAM4 speeds to provide a path to 400 Gbps modules. Additional details on the QSFP-DD form factor specification are available via free download at the QSFP-DD MSA website, www.qsfp-dd.com.
Samtec Flyover QSFP Systems
The new QSFP-DD standard focuses on addressing data rate bottlenecks on the front panel and between systems. But what about from the FPGA or ASIC on the line card to the front panel? That is where Samtec’s Flyover solutions provide support.
Samtec’s Flyover QSFP Systems provide improved signal integrity and architectural flexibility by flying critical high-speed signals over lossy PCB materials and directly to the panel via ultra-low skew twinax cable.
The ultra-high-density design includes sideband signaling via press-fit contacts to help increase airflow, and a multitude of “End 2” options allow for maximum design flexibility.
Samtec recently released its new Flyover QSFP Application Design Guide. This new resource outlines the resources and product solutions Samtec has developed for routing high-speed signals from QSFP and QSFP-DD cages over lossy PCBs via ultra-low skew twinax cable.
FQSFP Series (QSFP28) features include:
- 4 Channels (x4 Bidirectional, 8 Differential Pairs)
- 25 Gbps NRZ per channel
- Aggregate: 100 Gbps NRZ (200 Gbps PAM4)
- Compatible with all QSFP cable assemblies
- Heat dissipation: ~3.5 W / cable
FQSFP-DD Series (QSFP28-DD) features include:
- 8 Channels (x8 Bidirectional, 16 Differential Pairs)
- 25 Gbps NRZ per channel
- Aggregate: 200 Gbps NRZ (400 Gbps PAM4)
- Belly-to-Belly mating for maximum density
- Heat dissipation: ~7 W / cable
For more information on FQSFP and FQSFP-DD solutions, please visit Samtec’s Flyover QSFP28 Cable System product page.
