OIF members plan 100G interface interoperability demo

Ten member companies of the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) are planning a multi-vendor demonstration of 100G interfaces at OFC/NFOEC next month. Taking place under the title “Interoperability 2012 – Enabling High-Speed Dynamic Services,” the demo is intended to show that components suppliers are ready to support the optical industry’s move to higher speed interfaces and backplanes.

The demo will show interworking of 100G parts from different components and module vendors.  Parts under test will meet the OIF’s Physical and Link Layer (PLL) Common Electrical Interface (CEI) 28G Very Short Reach (VSR) draft implementation agreement that defines chip-to-module electrical interfaces. Demonstrations of the CEI-25G-LR signal for backplane interfaces will also be tested.

“This demonstration of CEI-28G-VSR shows the ability to reach 100G for next-generation 4×25-Gbps based optical transceivers,” said Ed Frlan of Gennum and the OIF PLL Interoperability Working Group chair. “The CEI-25G-LR and CEI-28G-VSR electrical interface and signaling schemes being tested for interoperability support multiple 100G applications.”

Equipment used during the testing includes host IC with VSR SERDES, host PCB traces, optical module connectors, module retimers, and optical transceivers. Test equipment used in the demonstration is being supplied by Tektronix, Inc.

“This interoperability test and demonstration shows a critical mass – with multiple vendors supporting the CEI-28G-VSR,” said Rod Smith of TE Connectivity and the OIF Marketing Awareness & Education Committee co-chair. “There is momentum in the marketplace to incorporate higher speed signals.”