What are the features of CXP optical modules

Article Overview

A CXP optical module is a hot-swappable 100G transceiver with 12 parallel 10Gbps channels, designed for high-density, short-reach optical networking in data centers and HPC environments.

Definition and Meaning

CXP stands for Compact 100G Pluggable. The "C" represents 12 in hexadecimal, "X" indicates a 10Gbps transfer rate per channel, and "P" refers to a hot-swappable pluggable module . It is slightly larger than a QSFP28 module but smaller than a CFP2 module, making it suitable for high-density cabling and rack-to-rack interconnections .

How It Works

CXP modules use parallel optics technology to achieve high-speed data transmission :

  • Electrical input: 12 × 10Gbps signals enter via an 84-pin connector.
  • Optical conversion: Signals are converted into 12 optical channels using 850nm VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) arrays.
  • Transmission: Optical signals travel through 24-core multimode MPO/MTP fiber cables.
  • Reception: A PIN photodiode array converts the optical signals back into electrical signals at the receiving end. This design allows low-latency, high-throughput interconnections, ideal for short-reach applications such as data center networking and high-performance computing .

Technical Specifications

  • Maximum data rate: 120Gbps (12 channels × 10Gbps each)
  • Fiber type: Multimode (OM3 up to 100m, OM4 up to 150m)
  • Interface: MPO/MTP connectors for optical cables
  • Power consumption: Up to 3.5W
  • Operating temperature: 0°C to 70°C
  • Hot-swappable: Yes, allowing easy replacement without shutting down equipment

Applications

CXP modules are primarily used in:

  • Data centers for short-distance, high-density interconnects
  • High-performance computing (HPC) networks
  • Enterprise core aggregation and service provider transport
  • Breakout connectivity to 10G SFP+ or 40G QSFP+ modules using appropriate fiber patch cables

Compatibility Notes

CXP modules cannot directly connect to QSFP-SR4 modules due to lane differences (CXP uses 12 lanes, QSFP uses 4 lanes). Breakout connections require matching wavelength transceivers, typically 850nm SFP+ . In summary, the CXP optical module is a high-speed, compact, and versatile transceiver designed to meet the growing demands of short-reach, high-density optical networking in modern data centers and HPC environments.

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