3M’s array of active optical cable assembly solutions was unveiled at DesignCon 2012. A new, advanced light-engine design is facilitated by the 3M Active Optical Cable (AOC) Assemblies for QSFP+ and CX4 applications, thereby benefiting design engineers with this cost-effective and high efficiency design.
Only 540 mW of energy has been utilized per end by both 3M AOC assemblies. This demonstrates the series of optical cables at 3M to be the market’s low power cable solutions. Four-channels of bi-directional data at up to 10 Gbps is provided by the 3M AOC QSFP+ cable assembly. Its counterpart, the 3M AOC CX4 cable assembly employs legacy interfaces with four channels of bi-directional data at up to 5 Gbps to generate the equivalent data. The line of AOC assemblies offered by 3M, with its compact, portable and versatile design is well-suited for applications that demand low power and high speed. The products are ideal for high-speed servers, high-performance computers and data center networks.
During 2012, a variety of 3M’s array of active optical cable assembly options will be introduced. This includes a hybrid QSFP+ to CX4 solution, which integrates legacy systems to newer systems. It encompasses an AOC QSFP+ FDR comprising of four channels of bi-directional data at 14 Gbps per channel, for up to an 56 Gbps aggregate for intricate high-speed solutions, and a CXP cable assembly with 12 channels of bi-directional data at 10 Gbps per channel facilitates greater bandwidth options.
Prototypes of the line of AOC solutions of 3M were exhibited at DesignCon 2012, between Jan. 31 and Feb 1, 2012, at the Santa Clara Convention Center.