While data centre markets are rapidly adopting higher data rates (40GbE/100GbE), the demand for longer-reaching, high-performance cabling increases, Berk-Tek says.
To that end, the firm’s Data Communications Competence Centre (DCCC) in conjunction with Prysmian Group recently demonstrated the extended distance capability of chromatic dispersion compensating multimode fibers.
“It is understood that chromatic dispersion ultimately limits the maximum reach of higher speed and longer reach MMF systems,” the company said in a release.
“By utilizing chromatic dispersion compensating OM4-Plus fibers, Berk-Tek successfully transmitted 40 Gigabit Ethernet Transmission traffic over 1.2 kilometers error-free (surpassing the objective BER of 10-12).
"This transmission was accomplished using 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Ethernet optical modules, and a Berk-Tek cable configured in a 2-connector channel consisting of Prysmian Group’s chromatic dispersion compensating MaxCap-BB-OM4-Plus optical fiber. The traffic was generated and verified by an Ixia XM2 chassis outfitted with Xcellon-Lava Dual-Speed, 40/100GE Higher Speed Ethernet Load Modules.”
The two companies presented their findings this week at the OFC/NFOEC 2013 conference in Anaheim, Calif.