Active optical cables cost less than copper

The AFBR-7CER, AFBR-7QER, and AFBR-82CD active optical cable (AOC) assemblies provide high density SFP+ QSFP+, and CXP solutions with one, four, or twelve channels for high performance computing and datacenter applications. The assemblies use proprietary technology yielding a lower cost per 10 Gbit channel than active copper cables – while giving significant performance increases, lower weight, and easier cable management.

The SFP+ and QSFP+ AOCs may have a cable length up to 20 m; the CXP up to 100 m. Bit error rates are typically less than 1E-15. The SFP+ single channel AOC takes 275 mW (350 mW max.) per end and the four channel QSFP+ needs 1.5 W max. per end. Power for the 12-channel CXP configuration was not given. (Price not given – available now.)

by Jim Harrison

Avago Technologies , San Jose , CA
Sales 800-235-0312

www.avagotech.com