- Two-lane 3.5 W electrical interface enables high-speed enterprise networking
- Transceiver form factor doubles bandwidth and supports fast line rates
- Backwards compatibility with existing SFP interfaces and new SFP-DD styles
Chicago, IL – January 26, 2018 – The Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (SFP-DD)
Multi Source Agreement (MSA) Group is pleased to announce the release of an updated
specification for the SFP-DD pluggable interface.
Dedicated to fostering the development of next-generation SFP form factors used in DAC and
AOC cabling, and optical transceivers, the MSA consortium released the initial SFP-DD
specification (version 1.0) in September 2017. The updated specification (version 1.1) reflects
enhancements to the mechanicals and drawings of the high-speed, high-density SFP-DD
electrical interface comprising a module and cage/connector system targeting support up to 3.5
W optical modules in an enterprise environment.
The SFP-DD form factor addresses the technical challenges of achieving a double-density
interface and ensuring mechanical interoperability for module components produced by different
manufacturers. The innovative electrical interface is designed to support two lanes that operate
up to 25 Gbps NRZ or 56 Gbps PAM4 per lane modulation—providing aggregate bandwidth of
50 Gbps NRZ or 112 Gbps PAM4 with excellent signal integrity.
In combination, an SFP-DD server port and QSFP-DD switch ports can effectively double port
density in network applications. The SFP-DD interface helps meet increased demand for port
density and scalability in next-generation servers. Extending speed and density, the SFP-DD
electrical interface expands on the existing SFP pluggable form factor, a widely adopted
interface used in data centers and other networking platforms. A key guiding principle of the
MSA 1.1 specification is backward compatibility. The SFP-DD port is backwards compatible
with legacy SFP and SFP+ style cables, modules and AOCs, and all new SFP-DD electrical
interfaces.
SFP-DD MSA founding members include Alibaba, Broadcom, Cisco, Dell EMC, Finisar, Hewlett
Packard Enterprise, Intel, Lumentum, Mellanox Technologies, Molex, and TE Connectivity. To
download the updated SFP-DD specification v1.1 and drawings or to explore opportunities for
becoming a contributing member, please visit the MSA website www.sfp-dd.com.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
We are disclosing forward-looking information so that investors, potential investors, and other
owners can better understand the mentioned Companies’ future prospects and make informed
investment decisions. The information in this press release contains “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Any forward-looking statement made by the Companies speak only as of the date on
which it is made. The Companies are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any
obligation to, update or alter their forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, subsequent events or otherwise.
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