Sep 23 2014
The PSM4 MSA (Parallel Single-Mode 4-Lane Multi-Source Agreement) group today announced the release of version 2.0 of their 100 gigabit per second (Gbps) PSM4 specification enabling broad development and deployment of low cost optical interconnect solutions for mega-scale datacenters.
Members of the PSM4 MSA contributing to the development of the specification are: Avago Technologies, Brocade, Delta Electronics, Finisar, JDSU, Juniper Networks, Luxtera, MACOM, Microsoft, Oclaro, Panduit and US CONEC.
The availability of low cost optical interconnect solutions using single-mode fiber is critical to modern datacenter expansion. The growing size of datacenters and increased data rates of optical interconnects stipulate a new low cost optical interconnect solution that is capable of supporting data links beyond the reach of what can be covered by multi-mode fiber. The PSM4 MSA aims to provide the specification for the lowest cost solution with parallel single-mode fiber architectures for 100 Gbps interconnects reaching at least 500 meters. By reducing the optical link budget compared to WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) specifications and by removing the need for any optical multiplexer and demultiplexer within optical transceivers, the MSA enables optical transceiver manufacturers to use innovative technologies, such as Silicon Photonics and LISELs (Lens Integrated Surface Emitting Lasers), with very low-cost manufacturing processes to meet the cost, performance and reach requirements of datacenter applications.
"The PSM4 specification will enable manufacturers to meet the emerging demands of today's mega-scale datacenters, enabling them to offer higher-speed services through 100G network interconnects while also trying to keep costs down," said Dale Murray, Principal Analyst with LightCounting Market Research. "It will be exciting to see the expansion of 100G deployments within the datacenter and LightCounting believes this growth will be accelerated by the availability of the PSM4 specification."
Requests for additional information, queries and interviews may be submitted at www.psm4.org.