Corning Cable ready for 100G

The requirement for higher data rates is being driven by many factors, including video applications, virtualization and convergence. This increased bandwidth demand will require the migration from 10G, to 40G and 100G, evidenced by the IEEE's recent approval of a task force to develop guidance for 40G and 100G Ethernet data rates. Corning Cable Systems has completed testing to provide assurance that the deployment of its Plug & Play Universal Systems today will support the migration path to 100G Ethernet in accordance with the IEEE 802.3ba Standard.

For data rates of 40G and 100G Ethernet over OM3 fiber, parallel optics will be the predominant transmission method. Parallel optic technology multiplexes or divides a high-data-rate signal into multiple signals that are simultaneously transmitted over several optical fibers. At the receiver, the signals are de-multiplexed or combined into the original high-data-rate signal. A traditional link in the data center includes an MTP?-terminated trunk with modules or harnesses on each end to transition from MTP connectivity to single-fiber connectors for patching into the electronics. With parallel optic transmission, MTP connectors will be used not only within the link, but also on the electronics ports. When 100G systems are implemented, the modules and harnesses used with MTP-terminated Plug & Play Universal Systems trunks today can be exchanged for MTP-terminated patch cords for a complete channel using Corning Cable Systems components, providing ease of migration to parallel optics.

Considerations for 100G ready performance include parameters such as skew, bandwidth and channel loss. The IEEE Project Authorization Request and objectives for 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet specify a minimum distance of 100 meters over OM3 fiber. To ensure that its product is 100G ready for distances beyond those stated in the objectives, Corning Cable Systems completed skew testing for distances of 300 meters on its Plug & Play Universal Systems trunks.

Applying the 12X-QDR (120G) InfiniBand specification of 0.75 ns for cable assembly skew performance, Plug & Play Universal Systems standard construction trunks comply with this maximum skew criteria to distances of 300 meters. Utilizing Corning Cable Systems OM3 fiber offerings, Pretium? 300 or Pretium 550 Solutions, the bandwidth requirements necessary for 100G transmission are met or exceeded. The bandwidth of these fibers is ensured using the calculated effective modal bandwidth (EMBc) measurement.

Plug & Play Universal Systems also comply with the 100G expected total connector loss budgets of 1.5 to 2.0 dB. With industry-leading standard and low-loss MTP connectivity performance, Plug & Play Universal Systems trunks can be deployed in structured cabling topologies compliant with TIA-942, EN50173-5 or ISO/IEC 24764 (draft), while still adhering to the loss budgets anticipated for 100G performance.