Rosenberger OSI develops singlemode eight-fiber MTP cabling solution for data centers

Rosenberger Optical Solutions & Infrastructure (Rosenberger OSI) recently introduced a new parallel optical data center cabling solution. The company's PreCONNECT OCTO employs the 100 GBE-PSM4 Ethernet transmission protocol to foster singlemode fiber transmissions of up to 500 meters. “Our new solution creates a powerful and efficient multi-fiber cabling product by using eight fibers per MTP connection, achieving optimal results through cost and attenuation reduction,” comments Thomas Schmidt, managing director of Rosenberger OSI.

The company notes that parallel optical data transmission of this type used to be the sole precinct of multimode cabling. That method leveraged the 40 GBE-SR4, 100 GBE-SR10, 100 GBE-SR4, or 4x16 GFC protocols. However, these technologies tend to have limited reach, topping out at around 150 meters. This fact led Rosenberger OSI to extend its PreCONNECT SR4 solution to address single-mode applications, according to the company.

The PreCONNECT OCTO platform fits into the spot between multimode solutions and longer-range 100 GBE-LR4 transmission implementations, adds Rosenberger OSI. “The length limitations of the transmission protocols mentioned above are an essential element even in the planning of data centers,” continues Schmidt. “For the future-proof and efficient design of cabling infrastructure connections, it must be underlined that it is the precise analysis of the protocols already used today and the developments to be expected over the next few years that are of crucial importance.”

Rosenberger OSI’s PreCONNECT OCT includes MTP trunks, MTP patch cords, MTP type B adapters for multimode, and type A adapters for singlemode in SMAP-G2 housing. The new product line addresses Ethernet 40 and 100 GBASE-SR4, Fiber Channel 4 x 16G and 4 x 32G, InfiniBand 4x, and 100G PSM4 applications. The company adds that this is a cost-effective solution given it does not use module cassettes and needs eight fibers instead of a dozen.