Test Report of Upgraded Low-Power Optical Module

The upgraded low-power optical module demonstrates high-speed 4×28 Gbps operation with ultra-low power consumption of 333 mW, achieving a 73% reduction compared to conventional designs.

Overview

The upgraded optical module integrates high-sensitivity photodetectors, low-power DSP, and efficient modulation schemes to support short-reach interconnects at 28 Gbps per channel, totaling 112 Gbps for a 4-channel configuration . The design emphasizes power efficiency, compact form factor, and thermal management, making it suitable for data center and high-density networking applications .

Power and Efficiency

• Total power consumption: 333 mW for 4×28 Gbps channels, representing a 73% reduction compared to conventional optical receivers .
• Architecture: DSP or Retimed-free linear optical receiver, eliminating DSP at the receiver end to reduce power and latency .
• Form factor: Optimized for space-constrained applications, with miniaturized power modules capable of delivering 3–4 A continuous current in <1.2 mm height packages .

Performance Metrics

• Data rate: 28 Gbps per channel, supporting 4 channels simultaneously.
• Optical-to-electrical conversion: Achieved through a commercially available ultra-low-power transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with optimized gold wire bonding parameters .
• Latency: Reduced due to linear pluggable optics (LPO) architecture, improving performance in AI/ML and high-speed networking applications .
• Interoperability: Compatible with OSFP, OSFP-RHS, QSFP-DD, and QSFP112 transceivers, supporting both DSP-based and linear optical modules .

Reliability and Environmental Testing

• Temperature cycling: Modules tested from -40°C to 85°C with ±5°C precision and 5-minute dwell times .
• Mechanical shock: Tested according to MIL-STD-883 TM 2002 with 1500g acceleration and 0.5 ms pulse width in all directions .
• Radiation tolerance: Space-qualified modules passed heavy ion radiation tests, ensuring reliability in harsh environments .
• Bit error rate (BER) monitoring: Continuous live BER testing confirms stable high-speed data transmission .

Test Standards

The module adheres to IPEC specifications for 800 Gbit/s PAM4 optical modules, including tests for optical/electrical interfaces, power consumption, and interoperability . These standards ensure consistent performance across high-speed data center deployments.

Conclusion

The upgraded low-power optical module achieves high-speed, low-power operation with robust reliability and compact integration. Its linear or DSP-free architecture significantly reduces power consumption and latency, making it ideal for short-reach data center interconnects, AI/ML systems, and high-density networking environments .