OSFP Fibre Optic Transceiver Overview

OSFP (Octal Small Form factor Pluggable) transceivers support 400Gbps bandwidth speeds through eight electrical lanes running at 50Gbps each. OSFP packaging is also used in 800G optical modules (eight 100Gbps lanes), making it a better option for those seeking future scalability options. The OSFP form factor is not backward compatible with QSFP modules due to its differing physical size, electrical interface and connector. However, an adapter can be used if necessary, with the OSFP port properly configured to support the differing data rate.

OSFP transceivers are designed with better heat dissipation and signal integrity technology to prepare for the inevitable transition to 800G technology and beyond. There are three main types of OSFP designs to improve heat dissipation:

• Finned top – Heat sink made up of thin extended fins is attached to the top of the module, increasing the surface area and pulling heat away from the module.
• Flat top/Riding Heat Sink (RHS) – Developed by NVIDIA for use in Network Interface Cards (NICs). There is no heat sink on the transceiver itself; instead, this is integrated into the OSFP cage.
• Closed top – Similar to finned top, but with an additional metal cover over the fins. This enhances heat dissipation by increasing airflow along the entire transceiver and enabling better heat conduction from the fins.

Standards & Protocols

• OSFP MSA
• 100G lambda MSA
• IEEE P802.3cm
• IEEE 802.3cd
• IEEE 802.3bs
• CMIS Rev 4.0

Features

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