25GBASE CWDM SFP28

 

Item Spotlights

● Hot-pluggable SFP28 form factor

● Supports 9.83/10.13/10.31/24.33/25.78Gb/s bit rate

● Power dissipation <1W

● Industrial case temperature range of -40°C to 85°C

● Single 3.3V power supply

● Maximum link length of 10km on Single Mode Fiber (SMF)

● Class 1 FDA Laser Safety and RoHS Compliant

● 25G DFB transmitter and 25G PIN receiver

● CWDM for Multiple Applications over One Duplex Fiber

● Digital Optical Monitoring Capability for Strong Diagnostic Capabilities

● RoHS compliant

 

Description

Compatible	25GBASE CWDM SFP28	Vendor Name	FB-LINK
Form Factor	SFP28	Max Data Rate	25.8Gbps
Wavelength	1270-1610nm	Max Cable Distance	10km
Connector	Duplex LC	Media	SMF
Transmitter Type	DFB CWDM	Receiver Type	PIN
TX Power	0~6dBm	Receiver Sensitivity	＜-14dBm
CDR	TX and RX	Powerbudget	14dB
Power Consumption	1.3W	Extinction Ratio	3.5dB
DDM/DOM	Supported	Commercial Temperature Range	0 to 70°C (32 to 158°F)
Protocols	MSA Compliant, CPRI, eCPRI	Warranty	3 Years

 

The demand for faster, more efficient data transmission continues to grow across telecommunications, data centers, and enterprise networks. Among the various optical transceivers available in today's market, the 25Gb/s CWDM SFP28 transceiver stands out as a robust solution for organizations seeking reliable long-distance connectivity without compromising performance.

Understanding CWDM Technology in Modern Optical Transceivers

Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) represents a significant advancement in fiber optic communications. This technology enables multiple data streams to travel simultaneously over a single fiber pair by assigning each stream a unique wavelength. When integrated into small form-factor pluggable modules, CWDM creates highly efficient optical transceivers that maximize existing fiber infrastructure while reducing deployment costs.

The 25G CWDM variant specifically addresses the bandwidth requirements of next-generation wireless networks, including 5G fronthaul and backhaul applications. Unlike traditional grey optics that operate on a single wavelength, CWDM-based solutions can support up to 18 different channels across the spectrum, dramatically increasing capacity without additional cabling.

Key Applications for 25G SFP28 Modules

Wireless network operators particularly benefit from these advanced optical transceivers when building out fronthaul connections between baseband units and remote radio heads. The extended reach capability supports cell tower deployments in both urban and rural environments where equipment may be distributed across several kilometers.

Data center interconnects represent another critical use case. As facilities expand and create campus environments, the need for high-bandwidth links between buildings becomes essential. These modules provide the bandwidth and distance required for such architectures while maintaining low latency characteristics crucial for storage replication and clustered computing.

Enterprise networks transitioning to 25G Ethernet infrastructure find these optical transceivers particularly valuable for core switch connections and aggregation layer deployments. The technology provides a clear upgrade path from legacy 10G systems without requiring complete infrastructure replacement.

Technical Advantages of Industrial-Grade Components

Operating temperature range significantly impacts deployment flexibility. Industrial-grade optical transceivers withstand extreme environmental conditions, making them suitable for outdoor cabinets, cell towers, and other challenging locations where standard commercial-grade components would fail.

Power efficiency directly affects total cost of ownership in large-scale deployments. Low power consumption reduces cooling requirements and enables higher port density in switches and routers. This becomes especially important in edge computing scenarios where power availability may be constrained.

Digital diagnostic monitoring provides real-time visibility into transceiver health and performance. Network administrators can proactively identify degrading links before they cause service disruptions, dramatically improving network reliability and reducing mean time to repair.

Integration with Modern Network Protocols

CPRI and eCPRI protocol support makes these optical transceivers essential for radio access network deployments. As mobile network operators transition from traditional CPRI to the more bandwidth-efficient eCPRI standard, having modules that support both protocols ensures smooth migration paths and backwards compatibility.

The hot-pluggable design allows for rapid deployment and maintenance without network downtime. Technicians can replace failed modules or upgrade connections during normal operations, minimizing service interruptions and improving overall network availability.

Multi-rate support provides additional deployment flexibility. A single SKU can operate at various bit rates, simplifying inventory management and reducing procurement complexity for network operators managing diverse infrastructure.

Selecting the Right Optical Transceivers for Your Infrastructure

Compatibility verification stands as the first critical step. While most optical transceivers follow industry standards, confirming compatibility with specific switch and router models prevents deployment issues. Vendor compatibility matrices and testing programs provide assurance that modules will function correctly in target environments.

Link budget calculations ensure reliable operation across intended distances. Factors including fiber quality, splice losses, and connector quality all impact total system margin. Professional network designers typically maintain at least 3dB of margin above minimum specifications to account for aging and environmental variations.

Future scalability considerations should guide selection decisions. Choosing optical transceivers that support higher bit rates than currently required provides growth headroom as bandwidth demands increase. This approach extends infrastructure lifespan and defers costly upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between CWDM and DWDM optical transceivers?

CWDM uses wider channel spacing (typically 20nm) compared to DWDM's narrow spacing (0.8nm or less). This makes CWDM modules less expensive and suitable for shorter distances up to 80-100km, while DWDM supports ultra-long distances but at higher cost. For metro and access networks, CWDM provides the ideal balance of performance and economics.

Can I use 25G SFP28 modules in 10G SFP+ ports?

No, these modules are not backward compatible with 10G ports due to electrical interface differences. The SFP28 specification uses different signaling than SFP+, requiring host equipment specifically designed for 25G operation. However, some vendors offer multi-rate optical transceivers that can autonegotiate between speeds when supported by the host system.

How do I know which CWDM wavelength to order?

Network design determines wavelength assignments. When deploying multiple CWDM links over shared infrastructure, each link requires a unique wavelength pair to prevent interference. Common practice involves creating a wavelength allocation plan before procurement. The ITU-T G.694.2 standard defines 18 channels from 1270nm to 1610nm in 20nm increments.

What maintenance do these modules require?

These optical transceivers require minimal maintenance. Primary concerns include keeping fiber connections clean and monitoring diagnostic parameters for degradation. Regular inspection of optical power levels, temperature, and error rates helps identify issues before they cause failures. Cleaning fiber end-faces during installation and maintenance prevents contamination-related problems.

Are these modules suitable for outdoor installations?

Extended temperature range variants specifically designed for harsh environments can operate outdoors when properly housed. However, the modules themselves should be installed in weatherproof enclosures with appropriate environmental controls. Direct exposure to moisture, extreme temperatures, or UV radiation will damage any optical component.

How does digital diagnostic monitoring work?

DOM functionality allows host systems to query real-time operational parameters including transmit power, receive power, temperature, laser bias current, and supply voltage. This data transmits over the I2C management interface defined in SFF-8472. Network management systems can collect this information for trending analysis and threshold-based alarming.

What fiber types are compatible with these transceivers?

Single-mode fiber (SMF) with standard G.652 specifications works with these modules. The small core diameter of SMF enables long-distance transmission with minimal signal loss. Multimode fiber cannot support the distances or wavelengths used in CWDM applications. Fiber quality significantly impacts achievable distances, with newer low-loss fibers extending potential reach.

How do I calculate link budget for my deployment?

Link budget equals transmit power minus receiver sensitivity, representing the total allowable loss between transceiver pairs. Subtract losses from fiber attenuation (typically 0.35dB/km), connectors (0.5dB each), splices (0.1dB each), and safety margin (3dB minimum). If total losses exceed available budget, the link may not operate reliably. Professional fiber testing equipment verifies actual installed loss before deploying optical transceivers.

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