Sep. 18, 2024
I-PEX Inc. (Headquarters: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Representative Director: Takaharu Tsuchiyama, Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market Code: 6640, hereinafter I-PEX) has developed a multimode QSFP28-spec Active Optical Cable (AOC) LIGHTPASS®-SP Q28, using silicon photonics ICs for outdoor communication equipment that requires reliability in long-term use in high-temperature environments, in active optical modules LIGHTPASS® series for optical interconnection applications used in data centers and in IOWN*1 concepts.
Demonstration kits for evaluation of the LIGHTPASS®-SP Q28 will be available from August 2024, and mass production is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2025. In addition, we will have a reference exhibition at the ECOC Exhibition 2024 to be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from September 23 to September 25, 2024.
Active Optical Cable LIGHTPASS®-SP Q28- ﹡1IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) is a next-generation backbone network concept centered on photonics-electronics convergence technology and optical communication technology promoted by the NTT Group. I-PEX participates in the IOWN Global Forum as a general member.
Features of the LIGHTPASS®-SP Q28
LIGHTPASS®-SP Q28 is a QSFP28-spec active optical cable that uses IOCore®, a silicon photonics IC manufactured by AIO Core Co., Ltd. that uses QD-LD*2 as a light source as its optical engine.
Compared to conventional optical modules using VCSEL*3 light sources, these modules have superior long-term reliability and can operate stably under high temperature environments, making them ideal for use in outdoor communication equipment. In addition, as no lens is used in the optical fiber connection inside the module, it can be used in immersion-cooled environments, which are in increasing demand in data centers, etc.
- *2Quantum Dot Laser Diode (QD-LD)
- *3VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser)
About the LIGHTPASS® series
The LIGHTPASS® series is a multi-mode active optical module capable of bi-directional optical communication, incorporating the IOCore® silicon photonics IC. To date, I-PEX has a lineup of four active optical module products: LIGHTPASS®-EOB 100G, LIGHTPASS®-EOM 100G, LIGHTPASS®-EOB II 128G, and LIGHTPASS®-EOS 100G.
The newly developed LIGHTPASS®-SP Q28 is an active optical cable that integrates an active optical module and optical fiber, expanding the product lineup for use in outdoor equipment, aerospace, manufacturing equipment, and automobiles. At the same time, I-PEX will continue to develop active optical modules for even higher-speed transmission and a wide range of applications.
Roadmap of active optical module products| Product Name |
LIGHTPASS®-SP Q28
|
|---|---|
| Transmission Rate |
25 Gbps NRZ×4 ch bi-directional
|
| Transmission Distance |
30 m or less
|
| Operating Temperature Range (case temperature) |
-40°C to 100°C
|
| Input Power |
3.3 V
|
| Power Consumption |
5.0 W
|
| Bit Error Rate |
1.0E-12
|
About AIO Core Co., Ltd. and IOCore®
AIO Core Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Hidetaka Fukuda) is a corporation split off from the Photonics Electronics Technology Research Association (PETRA) that was established with some of its intellectual property rights and a part of technologies. PETRA was consigned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to develop these products.
The IOCore® developed by AIO Core Co., Ltd. is a 5 mm square optical transceiver chip fabricated from “silicon photonics technology,” which is used to form optical devices on silicon circuit boards. They have a transmission speed of up to 32 Gbps per channel and capable of bi-directional optical communication of up to 128 Gbps with 4 channels.
