As a widely used and powerful optic component, optical modules are irreplaceable in fiber optic communication. With the increase of demands for bandwidth and performance of fiber optic communication and network system, the types and performance of optical modules are getting rich and strong, how to identify an optical module and know if it is good and proper for your demands? Take QSFP-SR4-40G as an example, even people know this module support a great performance, but few of them can seize the point of why and when you should choose this optical module. Here are about the whole things you have to know the answer to above question.

1. Package type

QSFP-SR4-40G optical module is packaged by the type of QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus), that is the four-channel small pluggable optical module. This type of package is created to meet the demands for higher density and high-speed pluggable solution. The whole system includes a 38PIN connector, EMI shielding assembly, optical transceiver, radiating assembly, copper cable assembly, MTP fiber optic cable assembly, and optical circuit part and so on.

2. Size

QSFP-SR4-40G, this optical module is 30% bigger than the standard SFP module in size. It was designed with the intention of replacing the single-channel SFP by high-density optical module, because of the limited area of device cabinet patch panel, so fiber count is limited. If using the standard SFP or 10Gbps XFP connector, the number of channels would be limited by the physical space. While QSFP+ is able to centralize more repeaters and receivers in smaller space.

3. Connector

QSFP-SR4-40G module is capable of accomplishing the connection of 40G high bandwidth fiber links through the 12-fiber optical cable with MPO/MTP connector; and also, to accomplish 4X10G duplex mode connection, just need to connect four breakout cable 10GBASE-SR optical interfaces.

4. Transmission rate

QSFP-SR4-40G can reach up to a transmission rate of 40Gbps. It has four mutually independent transmitting and receiving optical signal channels. Each channel can support a data transmission of 10Gbps. 40G Ethernet is a core technology in data center, which gives an extremely wide range of application to the 40G optical module in the optical network.

5. Transmission distance

QSFP-SR4-40G can support a maximum transmission distance up to 150m, so it is often used for multimode fiber transmission and can support OM3 fiber patch cable to transmit signals over around 100m as well as OM4 fiber patch cable to transmit over around 150m, which is a perfect optical module for short distance.

6. Laser type

QSFP-SR4-40G, which is using VCSEL(Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) laser inside. This type of laser can parallelly arrange multiple lasers in the direction of perpendicular to the substrate, so it is quite suitable for the parallel optical transmission and parallel optical interconnection applications, what’s more, it’s highly cost-effective, which makes it widely used in broadband Ethernet, the high-speed data communication network.

7. Application

QSFP-SR4-40G optical module is mainly applied to switches, routers, and HBA, and for company storage, high-density and high-speed I/O, multiple channels interconnection and so on. This module as a solution is particularly suitable for high flow processing systems typically like data center, network connection, and high-performance computing.

8. Benefits

QSFP-SR4-40G features compact structure and low cost. This module can be a replacement of 4 standard SFP+ optical modules, but more cost-effective than the standard ones due to its higher density of ports. In the current market, this module is one of most competitive optical modules and an ideal solution to high-density cabling system.

 

Features

• Form Type: QSFP+

• Wavelength: 850nm

• Connector: MTP/MPO

• Cable Type: MMF

• CDR: Supported

• TX Power: -7.6~2.4dBm

• Commercial Temperature: 0 to 70°C (32 to 158°F)

• Data Rate: 40/Gbps

• Max Cable Distance: 150m @ OM4 MMF

• Transmitter Type: VCSEL 850nm

• DDM/DOM Support: Yes

• Receiver Sensitivity: <-12dBm

What is the use of QSFP+?

QSFP+ is a type of fibre optical transceiver. It is used to convert electrical signals from a network device into an optical signal via a laser or diode, which is then transmitted through a fibre optic cable.

Is QSFP optical?

The QSFP+ modules , in a nutshell, connect the entire electrical circuitry of your system to an optical external network.

Conclusion

Before you buy this module, get the above points clear as well as you are clear about what you expect on the module. Things are same for other modules or products, having a good knowledge about the key points of the products, and then you would know if you should get it and how to get a proper one.