CWDM4 MSA Releases Detailed Specification for Low Cost 100G Optical Interfaces Targeting Data Center Applications

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 9, 2014) - The CWDM4 MSA consortium today released the first detailed specification (revision 1.0) for low cost 100G interfaces targeting data center applications. Formed in March 2014, the CWDM4 MSA targets a common specification for 100G optical interfaces that addresses data communication links up to 2 kilometers in the data center.

The CWDM4 architecture employs 4 lanes of 25 Gb/s using Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology to transport 100G optical traffic across duplex single mode fiber (SMF). The specification is designed to take advantage of Forward Error Correction (FEC) on the host port, in accordance with IEEE 802.3bj KR4 RS FEC. The specification was developed through a broad review process, soliciting detailed feedback from a large group of industry experts from more than 40 companies that include system OEMs, optical component vendors, chip vendors, and fiber cabling manufacturers.

The CWDM4 MSA has substantially expanded its membership. The five founding members are Avago Technologies, Finisar, JDSU, Oclaro, and Sumitomo Electric. The CWDM4 MSA membership now includes: Brocade, ColorChip, Hitachi Metals, Juniper Networks, Kaiam, Mitsubishi Electric, Neophotonics, Oplink, Skorpios Technologies, and SiFotonics.

In addition, the CWDM4 website has been updated and is available to the public, providing information including MSA objectives, specification details, and a membership application form for interested companies. The website can be accessed at: www.cwdm4-msa.org.

"The CWDM4 MSA has achieved a key milestone today in the push towards mass adoption of 100G interfaces in datacenter applications," said Vladimir Kozlov, Founder and CEO of Lightcounting Market Research. "Achieving revision 1.0 allows the industry to move forward in developing a common, ubiquitous optics platform for next generation datacenter applications."

The CWDM4 specification revision 1.0 is now available. For additional information, visit the website at www.cwdm4-msa.org.