What Is 100G CFP Optical Transceiver and CFP MSA?

100G optical module is an important part of the high-speed optical transmission network.
Some people say that the optical module has the status of a vice commander in the entire
communication system. The rapid development of optical fiber network, people in the
communication industry are obvious to al. 100G optical module is regarded as the mainstay
of the 5G network, the market has to tell all of us with the truth that the optical module has
changed the original market structure.

Speaking of 100G optical module standards and types, the market mainstream models are
mainly CFP / CFP2 / CFP4 and QSFP28. As an early appeared optical module, CFP is now
gradually replaced by QSFP28. But the basic principle of the optical module has not changed,
and we still can learn it to understand the 100G optical module. Today we will talk about
what CFP is and the 100G CFP multi-source agreement (MSA).

What Is CFP Optical Transceiver?

Designed primarily for the 100G market, the CFP optical transceiver is specifically sized for
long range interfaces and single-mode fiber applications. It is 120mm long and 86mm wide.
It is the same length as a 10G XENPAK optical transceiver but twice as wide. At the same
time this optical transceiver has good thermal performance, making it in the process of using
small power consumption.
Gigalight can provide several kinds of mainstream CFP optical transceivers: CFP
100GBASE-SR10, CFP 100GBASE-LR4, CFP2 100GBASE-SR10, CFP2 100GBASE-LR4, and
100GBASE-SR4 CFP4. Besides, it will release the latest 100G CFP2 ER4/100G CFP ER4 in
January, 2018. These optical transceivers can achieve different transmission distances by
connecting with different types of optical fibers.

Module Connector Transmission Distance

CFP 100GBASE-SR10 MPO 400M
CFP 100GBASE-LR4 Dual LC 10KM
CFP2 100GBASE-SR10 MPO 400M
CFP2 100GBASE-LR4 Dual LC 10KM
CFP4 100GBASE-SR4 MDIO 100M

The Origin and Application of 100G CFP Optical Module MSA

CFP MSA is the acronym for 100G Form factor Pluggable Multi-Source Agremment. In March
2009, the multi-source agreement was announced for the CFP module by Finisar, Opnext
and Sumitomo to define high-speed Ethernet for 40G and 100G applications and support the
next generation. In June 2010, CFP MSA ushers in a new member, AVGO, and released a
multi-source agreement for a new version (Rev 1.4).

The CFP MSA introduces the block diagram of the CFP module. The DMUX and MUX in the
optical part perform the optical demultiplexing and multiplexing. The WDM (wavelength
division multiplexing) technology multiplexes the optical signals of multiple wavelengths
onto a single-mode optical fiber for transmission. The module can work at ITU WDM
wavelength. The module adopts the single fiber connection mode, which can save 2 × (N-1)
optical fibers. In practical applications, the transmission distance of the single-mode optical
fibers can reach more than 10km. In the schematic, N represents the number of optical
channel, M represents the number of circuit channels. Generally, M and N are not equal. The
electrical interface rate of the module is 10 Gbit / s. To implement 100 Gbps rate
transmission, 10 electrical interfaces are required to support this. The number of electrical
interfaces is 10 for the 100GBASE-LR4 and 100GBASE-ER4, and four for the 40GBASE-FR.
100G CFP Optical Module Hardware Definition

The CFP module has up to 148 pins, distributed at the bottom and top of the module's
electrical interface. The host computer can read the module control and status information
through the electrical signal interface, which contains 6 control pins, 5 hardware alarm pins
(including RX_LOS) and 8 MDIO management interface pins. Optical interface part may have
SC, LC, and MPO connector form.

After accessing to the host, CFP optical modules can do the orderly timing switch according
to the monitoring status. The timing diagram below is for the module in each steady-state
and transient state signal associated with the flag switch.

CFP module operating temperature is not specified: 0 ℃ to 70 . The module

℃
manufacturers need to test the performance of these modules in the two temperature
conditions and have been to ensure that modules in the whole temperature range can reach
the target requirements. The corresponding host also needs to provide the necessary cooling
system to ensure that the module operates in this temperature range.

CFP SMA also defines the module size, weight, plug-in strength and so on, as well as the
mainframe connected to the module of the various mechanical and electrical structures are
detailed design. If you have any question or suggestion, welcome to visit our official website:
Gigalight.