Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. has developed the world’s first 16-channel ELS employing a blind mate optical connector for the realization of next-generation network switch servers employing CPO for hyperscale data centers and edge data centers.
With the growth of cloud services, 5G, and other new telecommunications services, as well as generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning, data traffic has been increasing at an annual rate of approximately 30%.
Hence, hyperscale data centers and edge data centers are faced with the challenges of expanding bandwidth and reducing of power consumption of network switch server equipment. To expand bandwidth and reduce power consumption, it has been expected to employ CPO as a new server architecture.
Network switch equipment
CPO ELS is required to have multiple channels with high optical output power and also ensure eye safety
CPO ELS is required to have multiple channels with high optical output power and also ensure eye safety. In August 2023, OIF (Optical Internetworking Forum) published the ELSFP (External Laser Small Form Factor Pluggable) IA (Implementation Agreement) as the specification for a CPO ELS.
This agreement adopts a structure that integrates a blind mate optical connector at the same facet of an electrical card edge, and since a blind mate optical connector is located inside a network switch equipment, laser beams are never outputted from an ELS to outside of the network switch equipment.
Therefore, this structure is preferable for eye safety. Therefore ELS should integrate a blind mate optical connector, control circuitries implemented on a PCB, TOSAs, and an MT connector into a housing without any degradations of the characteristics. The maximum channel number of ELSFP is specified as many as 16.
Integrate the high-power DFB
Developed a 16-channel ELSFP module employing a blind mate connector and two eight-channel TOSAs, which densely integrate the high-power DFB (Distributed Feedback) lasers and optical components.
The eight-channel TOSA is as small as 22.5 mm(L) x 13.0 mm(W) x 3.3 mm(H), and in order to fit the polarization-maintaining fibers inside the ELS housing without finer bend loss and degradation of polarization extinction ratio, the fiber length has been reduced.
The fabricated 16-channel ELS achieved fiber-coupled optical power of 100 mW for all channels and a polarization extinction ratio of <20 dB at a case temperature ranging from 25°C to 55°C. They plan to launch sample delivery from April and the commercialization is planned to start in FY2025.
OFC 2024
OFC 2024 scheduled to be held on March 24-April 5, 2024 in San Diego
During OFC 2024 scheduled to be held on March 24-April 5, 2024 in San Diego, they will exhibit the CPO ELSs and TOSA for four days from March 26 (FITEL-FURUKAWA ELECTRIC EUROPE booth; Booth number 2041).
Going forward, they will continue to contribute to the realization of large-volume data communications and an energy-efficient society through the provision of ELS required for the adoption of CPO.
Key characteristics
- Number of channels: Maximum 16
- Operating case temperature: 0 to 55 °C
- Wavelength allocation: Option 1: 1311 nm x 16; Option 2: 4-l CWDM x 4
- Optical power: >100 mW/channel
- Polarization extinction ratio: >20 dB
- Power consumption: <13 W