Achieved optical power of 100 mW for all channels at a case temperature of 55 °C
OFC 2024, Booth 2041, San Diego, California, March 26, 2024
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (Head office: 2-6-4 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hideya Moridaira) developed the world’s first 16-channel ELS employing a blind mate optical connector for the realization of next-generation network switch servers employing CPO for hyperscale data centers and edge data centers.
- Based on ELSFP IA published by OIF, developed the world’s first 16-channel blind mate ELS (External Laser Source) for CPO (Co-Packaged Optics)
- The product will be exhibited at OFC 2024 scheduled to be held in March
- Plan to raunch the sample delivery from April 2024 and start the commercialization in FY2025
Background
With the growths of cloud services, 5G, and other new telecommunications services, as well as generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning, data traffic has been increasing at an annual rate of approximately 30%. Hence, hyperscale data centers and edge data centers are faced with the challenges of expanding bandwidth and reducing of power consumption of network switch server equipment. To expand bandwidth and reduce power consumption, it has been expected to employ CPO as a new server architecture.
CPO ELS is required to have multiple channels with high optical output power and also ensure eye safety. In August 2023, OIF (Optical Internetworking Forum) published the ELSFP (External Laser Small Form Factor Pluggable) IA (Implementation Agreement) as the specification for a CPO ELS. This agreement adopts a structure that integrates a blind mate optical connector at the same facet of an electrical card edge, and since a blind mate optical connector is located inside a network switch equipment, laser beams are never outputted from an ELS to outside of the network switch equipment. Therefore, this structure is preferable for eye safety. Therefore, ELS should integrate a blind mate optical connector, control circuitries implemented on a PCB, TOSAs, and an MT connector into a housing without any degradations of the characteristics. And maximum channel number of ELSFP is specified as many as 16.
Details
We developed a 16-channel ELSFP module employing a blind mate connector and two 8-channel TOSAs, which densely integrates our high-power DFB (Distributed Feedback) lasers and optical components (Fig. 1, 2). The 8-channel TOSA is as small as 22.5 mm(L) x 13.0 mm(W) x 3.3 mm(H), and to fit the polarization-maintaining fibers inside the ELS housing without finer bend loss and degradation of polarization extinction ratio, the fiber length has been reduced. The fabricated 16-channel ELS achieved fiber-coupled optical power of 100 mW for all channels and a polarization extinction ratio of <20 dB at a case temperature ranging from 25 to 55 °C.
We plan to launch sample delivery from April and the commercialization is planned to start in FY2025.
During OFC 2024 scheduled to be held on March 24-April 5, 2024 in San Diego, we will exhibit our CPO ELSs and TOSA for 4 days from March 26 (FITEL-FURUKAWA ELECTRIC EUROPE booth; Booth number 2041; OFC 2024: https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/)
Going forward, we will continue to contribute to the realization of large-volume data communications and an energy-efficient society through the provision of ELS required for the adoption of CPO.
Key Characteristics
| Parameter | Target |
| Number of channels | Maximum 16 |
| Operating case temperature | 0 to 55 °C |
| Wavelength allocation | Option 1: 1311nm x 8 Option 2: 4-1 CWDM x 2 |
| Optical power | >100 mW/channel |
| Polarization extinction ratio | >20 dB |
| Power consumption | <13 W |
Related News Release
Presenting an 8-channel CWDM TOSA for CPO ELS employing a blind mate optical connector at OFC2023
https://www.furukawa.co.jp/en/release/2023/comm_20230302.html
Mass production of a high output 100mW DFB laser diode chip
https://www.furukawa.co.jp/en/release/2023/comm_20230925.html
Presenting a record energy efficient ELS for Co-Packaged Optics at ECOC2023
https://www.furukawa.co.jp/en/release/2023/comm_20230926-2.html
About Furukawa Electric
Furukawa Electric Group’s Efforts Toward the SDGs
Based on the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” adopted by the United Nations, Furukawa Electric Group has formulated the “Furukawa Electric Group Vision 2030” which sets forth the year 2030 as its target and is advancing efforts with the aim to “Build a sustainable world and make people’s life safe, peaceful and rewarding, Furukawa Electric Group will create solutions for the new generation of global infrastructure combining information, energy, and mobility.” Toward achieving our Vision 2030, we will take open, agile, and innovative approaches to promote ESG management that aims to increase corporate value over the medium to long term and will contribute to achieving the SDGs.
Furukawa Electric Group’s efforts towards the SDGs
https://furukawaelectric.disclosure.site/en/themes/182
FEC PR Contact
Murakoshi, Public Relations Department
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
fec.pub@furukawaelectric.com
