Mr. Raouf Halim reports
SPECTRA7 ACHIEVES INDUSTRY-LEADING SPEED, DENSITY, POWER AND REACH WITH NEW 112G SFP-DD SOLUTION
Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. has released a breakthrough solution
for hyperscale and cloud providers that want to increase speed and
density without the cost and power penalty of optical solutions.
Spectra7's GaugeChanger SFP-DD solution enables copper
lengths of up to seven metres (over three times longer than passive copper) and at lower power (up to
90 per cent lower) and half the cost of optical solutions.
"With virtualization, artificial intelligence and machine learning
driving up server workloads, the network connection is becoming a
bandwidth bottleneck," said Alan Weckel, founder and technology analyst
with 650 Group. "We forecast significant adoption of higher-density ports
like SFP-DD, and Spectra7's unique solution can dramatically improve
efficiency, capex [capital expenditure] and opex [operating expenditure] for the explosively growing hyperscale
providers."
New interface standards such as SFP-DD and others are significantly
increasing port density in data centre switching systems but are also
limiting the interconnect length that can be served by low-cost
direct-attach copper (DAC) cables. Spectra7's GaugeChanger silicon
allows copper cables up to three times the reach of passive copper
cables.
Currently deployed SFP interconnects operate at 25 to 28 Gbps (gigabits per second) but will soon
move to 56 Gbps PAM4 signalling. The new SFP-DD electrical interfaces are
designed to support two lanes that operate up to 25 Gbps NRZ or 56 Gbps
PAM4 per lane, providing solutions up to 50 Gbps or 112 Gbps PAM4
aggregate. By doubling the lane density and data speed of SFP
transceivers, the SFP-DD specification addresses increased port density
and scalability in next-generation applications.
"We are experiencing increased interest overall in our data centre
products from cable suppliers, network equipment suppliers as well as
data centre operators," said Raouf Halim, chief executive officer of Spectra7. "With our
GaugeChanger solution, the company is well positioned to
benefit from the increased interest in and adoption of higher-speed and
higher-density standards like SFP-DD."
GaugeChanger is an innovative and disruptive technology
that allows copper to extend much longer lengths without the cost and
power penalty of optics. It works equally well at 25 Gbps NRZ and 50 Gbps
PAM4, enabling new connector standards of 100/200/400 Gbps.
About SFP-DD multisource agreement
The SFP-DD multisource agreement group has released the
specification for a high-speed, double-density, small-form-factor
pluggable (SFP-DD) interface. Under the multisource agreement, participating companies
will address the technical challenges of achieving a double-density SFP
interface and ensuring mechanical interoperability for module components
produced by different manufacturers. New SFP-DD-based networking
equipment will support legacy SFP modules and cables as well as new
double-density products. Founding members of the SFP-DD multisource agreement include Alibaba,
Cisco, Dell EMC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Mellanox
Technologies and others.
About Spectra7 Microsystems Inc.
Spectra7 is a high performance analog semiconductor
company delivering unprecedented bandwidth, speed and resolution to
enable disruptive industrial design for leading electronics
manufacturers in virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, data
centres and other connectivity markets. Spectra7 is based in San Jose,
Calif., with design centres in Markham, Ont.; Cork, Ireland; and
Little Rock, Ark.
We seek Safe Harbor.
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