CHAPTER 1 SCOPE OF THIS SPECIFICATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This specification defines cabling solutions compatible with SFP+ linear or limiting host for 10.3125 GBd operation based on “SFI”. For detailed SFI specifications and test methodology, see SFF-8431.
This specifications also defines an alternative passive cable test method based on cable S-parameters. The S-parameters method provides parameters for cable VMA loss, VCR, dWDP, and Vcm.
SFP+ active and passive cable assemblies are hot pluggable and are powered by individual power connections for the transmitter (VccT) and the receiver (VccR). Multiple modules can share a single 3.3 V power supply with individual filtering for each VccT and VccR. Detailed power supply specifications are given in SFF-8431 Chapter 2.
The SFP+ cable assemblies compatible with SFI (SFF-8431) could be active-active, active-passive, passive-active, or passive-passive implementations and may support one or more of the applications listed in Table 1.
SFP+ cable assemblies are either compatible with host supporting linear modules or a host supporting limiting module as defined in SFF-8431 Chapter 3.5.
1.2 THE SFP+ SUPPORTED STANDARDS
SFF-8461 cable assembly may comply with any combination of the standards shown in Table 1, and may be suitable for other or future standards. This specification does not preclude operation at other signalling rates that are not listed in this table, such as 2.125 GBd for 2GFC, or 4.25 GBd for 4GFC.
