With the rapid development and application of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, and 5G, network data traffic has surged, posing greater challenges for data center interconnections. The interconnections within data centers and between data centers are continuously evolving, driving the demand for optical modules toward higher speeds, such as 400G, 800G, and even 1.6T.

Here is a brief introduction to optical modules, using the 400G QSFP-DD DR4+ optical module as an example.

The 400G DR4+ optical module has a transmission rate of 400Gbps, a center wavelength of 1310nm, and a transmission distance of 2km. It is used for connections in large-scale cloud and enterprise data centers and can also serve as the optical interface for Ethernet switches, routers, and transmission network equipment.

QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density) is the mainstream packaging form for 400G optical modules. It uses 8 channels, supporting 25Gbps (NRZ modulation) or 50Gbps (PAM4 modulation), and features a compact size and high density.

An optical module consists of a signal processing unit, a transmitter assembly, a receiver assembly, and a thermal management system. The transmitter assembly includes an EML laser, optical components, capillary or fiber array unit (FAU), etc., which convert electrical signals into optical signals. The receiver assembly includes a receiver-side fiber array unit (FAU), a photodiode array (PIN), and a transimpedance amplifier, which convert optical signals into electrical signals. The FAU and MT combined optical engine fiber module in the transceiver assembly enable high-speed parallel transmission in the optical module, as shown in the following diagram.

The FA-MT optical engine fiber module achieves high-density optical connections within the compact space of the optical module. North Ocean Photonics provides a one-stop solution for precision optical silicon lenses, optical engine fiber modules, including the design, processing, and coupling of silicon lenses, as well as various optical engine fiber products for optical link connections. Customization is available for parameters such as the number of channels, fiber core spacing, length, and angle.