Method of distinguishing optical module types
Time: 2019-05-06
If you have multiple manufacturers purchasing optical modules and have mixed materials, how can you distinguish the types of optical modules? When optical modules leave the factory, they usually have labels covering the manufacturer, production date, module type, transmission distance, serial number and other information to help customers identify the module. If the information on these labels is damaged or lost due to high temperature, humidity, etc? The number of manufacturers of optical modules continues to increase, and customers' choices continue to increase. With the continuous improvement of commercial transparency, more and more demand has been seen to be conducted through open bidding. Several winning companies supply corresponding modules proportionally, which increases the possibility of confusion on the application side. How to distinguish?
For all dimensions of the outer shell of the optical module, the current MSA protocol only has certain requirements for some core dimensions, such as dimensions related to unlocking, plugging depth, etc. Therefore, there is inconsistency in the shells of various optical module manufacturers, with some using their own designed shells and others using popular male mold shells on the market. It is unrealistic to simply distinguish the product types of modules based on the shells.
So, how to simply identify the type of optical module? It can be distinguished from the following details:
1. Distinguish from the color of module pull straps
For modules with obvious differences in strap colors, the module type can be preliminarily determined based on the corresponding standards. Table 1 provides some strap color standards defined in the new version of the multi-source protocol, and Table 2 provides the corresponding strap colors for common models of Cisco 40G.
Table 1 Color standards for some tension straps
Standard source |
Applicable type |
Strap color |
List of corresponding transceivers |
SFF-8679 Revision 1.8 |
QSFP 40G 4×850KM |
Beide |
40G SR4、100G SR4 |
QSFP 40G 4×1310KM |
Blue |
40G LR4、100G LR4 |
|
QSFP 40G 4×1550KM |
White |
|
|
CWDM4 MSA Technical Specifications Rev 1.1 |
100G CWDM4 2KM |
Green |
100G CWDM4 2KM |
Table 2 A part 40G Module Strap Color List of CISCO
Type of Cisco |
Strap color |
Cisco QSFP-40G-SR4-S |
Beige |
Cisco QSFP-40G-LR4-S |
Blue |
Cisco QSFP-40G-SR4-BD |
Gray |
QSFP-40G-CSR-S |
Orange |
FET-40G |
Brown |
QSFP-40G-LR4 |
Blue |
QSFP-40G-ER4 |
Red |
In addition to the color of the pull strap, some suppliers also provide text markings on the pull strap, such as the CISCO trademark on the pull strap of Cisco modules, and speed markings on the pull strap of some manufacturers' modules.
3. Distinguish from encoded data
The encoded data inside the read out module needs to be used together with switches, encoding boxes, etc. The data written in the encoding area of the optical module is strictly defined. For example, our encoding box can read and analyze the meaning of the encoded data representation inside the SFP/XFP/QSFP module. Taking the QSFP-LR4 application as an example, after clicking the "Read Table" button, the internal encoded data information of the module can be read to the interface, In the Explain sub interface, the corresponding encoding is explained. Based on Figures 2 to 4, we have learned that the module is packaged in QSFP+, with a power consumption level of 3.5W, dual LC connectors, 10.3G speed, transmission of 10KM, using a laser without cooling, manufacturer is MODULETEK, type is QSFP-LR4-10KM, wavelength is 1310NM (based on MSA, the four channel wavelengths are 1271/1291/1311/1331NM), SN is PJE00041, and production date is February 29, 2020.
Figure 1 Reading Encoding
Figure 2 decoding Part-01
Figure 3 decoding Part-02
Figure 4 decoding Part-03
Moduletek Limited provides coding boxes suitable for SFP/XFP/QSFP packaging, automatically identifying the type of module inserted, and interpreting module coding information with one click. Welcome to order and consult.
If you have any questions about the above content, you can contact us by Email : web@moduletek.com