What Are the Advantages of the QSFP-DD Package?
QSFP-DD package overview
The QSFP-DD (also known as QSFP56-DD), or dual-density quad-channel small form-factor pluggable package, is a new package of high-speed pluggable modules that comply with IEEE802.3bs and QSFP-DD MSA standards. The package has an 8-channel electrical interface with data rates of up to 25Gb/s per channel for 200G network transmission via NRZ modulation technology and up to 50Gb/s per channel for 400G network transmission via PAM4 modulation technology, making it suitable for high performance computing data centers and cloud networks.
QSFP-DD advantages are demonstrated by the following.
Backward compatibility with QSFP packages such as QSFP+/QSFP28/QSFP56.
The use of 2 x 1 stacked integrated cages and connectors to support single and double-height cage connector systems.
Using SMT connectors and 1xN cages, the cage design and optimization of the optical module housing enables a minimum of 12 watts of thermal capacity per module. The higher thermal capacity reduces the optical module’s requirement for heat dissipation features, thus reducing some unnecessary costs.
The QSFP-DD was designed with user flexibility in mind, using an ASIC design that supports multiple interface rates and is backward compatible (QSFP+/QSFP28 compatible), thus reducing port costs and equipment deployment costs.
In summary, the QSFP-DD is a high-speed, small, pluggable, and low-power package that will become one of the mainstream packages for 400G.
