Things You Need to Know about 100G CXP Optical Module

With the popularity of 100G networks, 100G optical modules have been developed rapidly. The main 100G optical modules launched in the market are QSFP28, CFP and CXP, and this article mainly explains the 100G CXP optical module.

What is a 100 CXP optical module?

CXP optical modules are slightly larger than QSFP28 optical modules and smaller than CFP2 optical modules to meet high-density cabling requirements. The CXP optical module is a hot-swappable optical module that can support a maximum transmission rate of 120Gbps and is usually used together with multimode optical fibres. It is widely used for data centre short distance transmission, enterprise network core convergence, etc.

Working principle of 100G CXP optical module

The 100G CXP optical module uses 850nm VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) technology, PIN array technology and integrated laser driver and receiver IC technology, which combine to provide excellent optical performance at high-speed rates. connectors and 24 and MPO connectors for the optical interface. During operation, the 12*10G electrical signal is converted into a 12*10G optical signal via 2*12 core or 24 core MTP/MPO multimode fibre patch cables.

What are the usage scenarios for 100G CXP optical modules?

100G CXP optical module direct connection

Direct connection of 100G CXP optical modules is achieved using 24 core MTP/MPO fibre patch cables. The diagram below uses a 24 core female polarity B MPO fibre patch cable.

100G CXP optical module interconnected with 10G SFP+ optical module

100G CXP optical module to 10G SFP+ optical module connection using 24 core MTP-LC branch patch cable.

100G CXP optical module interconnected with 40G QSFP+ optical module

Use 1*3 MTP/MPO fibre patch cable to interconnect 100G CXP optical module with 40G QSFP+ optical module, through fiber patch panel, also can interconnect to other areas.

Notes on the use of 100G CXP optical modules

1, 100G CXP optical module cannot be interconnected with the 100G-QSFP28-SR4 optical module, 100G QSFP28 optical module only supports 4*10G or 4*25G, but 100G CXP can support 12*10G.

2, 100G CXP optical modules can only be used with SFP+ optical modules with a wavelength of 850nm when using branch patch cables, and cannot be used with SFP+ optical modules of other wavelengths.

3, The interface of 100G CXP optical module is a 24-core MTP/MPO interface, which cannot be used with other interfaces.

It can be seen from the above that the 100G CXP optical module is a viable solution for short-distance transmission, and its role in data centre upgrade and interconnection should not be underestimated, it can be used for 120G, but also for 100G, 3*40G and 12*10G.

100G Hilink QSFP28 CWDM4 is designed to operate over a single-mode fiber system using a 4X25 CWDM channel in 1310 band and links up to 2km. The hilink module converts 4 inputs channel of 25Gb/s electrical data to 4 CWDM optical signals and multiplexes them into a single channel for 100Gb/s optical transmission.

Reversely, on the receiver side, the module optically de-multiplexes a 100Gb/s input into 4 CWDM channels signals and converts them to 4 channel output electrical data.