800G AEC, QSFP-DD to QSFP-DD Active Electrical Cable (AEC), 2-3 meters, Active, 32AWG

10Gtek’s QSFP-DD 800G Active Electrical Cable (AEC) is designed for use in 800 Gigabit Ethernet links, up to 3 meters. The module has 8 independent electrical input/output channels operating up to 106.25Gbps per channel. The transmitter path and receiver path of the module incorporate a bi-directional PAM4 re-timer ASIC which has more than 40dB loss compensation capability on both line side and host side. Using small twinax 32AWG cable enables easy deployment in the field. The electrical interface of the module is compliant with the 800GAUI-8 interface as defined by IEEE 802.3ck, and compliant with QSFP-DD MSA.

10Gtek 800G AEC is ideal for rack-to-rack connections, and these cables offer a reach of up to 3m while consuming up to 75% less power compared to optical cables. Moreover, they come at a cost that is up to 50% lower than optical alternatives.  

Features

• Supports speeds up to 850G

• Single 3.3V Power Supply

• Up to 3m 32AWG Twinax cable

• Low power consumption

• Typ. 10.6W Power dissipation each end

• 8x106.25Gbps (PAM4) electrical interface

• Hot pluggable

• CMIS 5.0 compliant

• Case temperature range: 0°C to +70°C (commercial)

• I2C Interface with Integrated Digital Diagnostic Monitoring

• Safety Certification: TUV/UL/FDA*1

• RoHS Compliant

Applications

• Telecom

• Data center

• Switches

• Routers 

FAQ: 

1. Why use a re-timer instead of a linear amplifier?

Although linear amplifiers are relatively inexpensive, they cannot eliminate noise or repair signals like re-timers. In addition, when using linear amplifiers, there is a greater dependence on the design of the entire channel. This makes the 'mixed matching' of ToR from one supplier with another supplier's server more challenging in ensuring good SI for the entire channel. However, due to the re-timer readjusting the signal and eliminating noise, the rack implementation has become more flexible. Customers can confidently connect multiple vendors' TORs and server solutions within the same rack or across different racks.

2. How can AECs assist with thermal management?

AEC re-timer can achieve more efficient signal transmission through smaller cable core. This makes the wiring as small as 32 AWG, thereby increasing airflow and reducing thermal issues.

3. When should we use AECs?

AECs are a specialized type of cable used in high-performance networking and data center environments. They offer several advantages over traditional passive cables.

• Longer Distances: AECs can extend the reach (2-3m) beyond what is possible with standard DACs (1-2m).

• Enhanced Signal Quality: AECs provide active electronics that can boost and condition the signal, reducing issues like crosstalk and noise. This makes them ideal for high-speed data transmission in noisy or congested environments.

• High-Density Deployments: For high-density deployments where minimizing cable bulk is important, AECs can offer thinner and more flexible designs compared to fiber optics, while still providing superior performance over longer distances than passive copper cables.

• Lower Power Consumption: Although AECs contain active components, they generally consume less power than equivalent optical solutions, making them a good choice for applications where power efficiency is a priority.

• Cost-Effective Solutions for Medium Distances: For medium-distance connections within data centers, AECs offer a cost-effective alternative. They combine the lower cost of copper with the extended reach and improved signal quality of active technology.

4. Differences between AEC, DAC and AOC cables