If you have ever worked with transceiver optics, you are likely to be familiar with the phrase BiDirectional (BiDi) Optics. Common BiDirectional (BiDi) optics include 1G SFP BiDi transceiver, 10G SFP+ BiDi transceiver, 10G XFP BiDi transceiver, 25G SFP28 BiDi transceiver. Nonetheless, as network speeds increase, these traditional BiDi optics can no longer keep up with the demands of high-speed data centers and IT infrastructures. So 100G BiDirectional (BiDi) Optics have been developed to satisfy these requirements. This article discusses the topic of 100G BiDi Optics transceiver.

What is a 100G BiDirectional (BiDi) QSFP28 Transceiver?

BiDirectional (BiDi) transmission is the most basic and original Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) form. Because BiDi Optics is equipped with WDM couplers, it allows the use of two different wavelengths on the same fiber, based on the principle of combining and separating data transmitted on a single fiber based on the wavelength of the light. For customers looking to upgrade their network capacity, BiDi Transceivers provides a cost-effective solution by doubling the capacity of existing fiber infrastructure.

Datacenter traffic continues to expand as server activity increases, application density on virtualized servers increases, and the requirement for low-latency east-west communication between servers increases, necessitating the use of 100G optics. The 100G Bidirectional QSFP28 transceiver is the latest generation of BiDi Optics, which enables bi-directional optical signal transmission on a single fiber, similar to regular BiDi Optics. However, the 100G BiDi optics supports bi-directional communication at 100G speeds, allowing data center owners to maintain their existing fiber infrastructure without replacing it while doubling their transmission capacity. The bidirectional technology eliminates the need for expensive cabling modifications and safeguards operators’ investment expenditures.

Features of 100G QSFP28 BIDI

The 100G QSFP28 BiDi CWDM4 transceiver supports connections up to 2km over single-mode fiber and uses LC connectors. The wavelengths are 1271 nm, 1291 nm, 1311 nm, and 1331 nm.

BIDI Transceivers or BWDM Transceivers (Bi-directional Wavelength Division Multiplexing) interface carries two distinct channels in different directions on a single strand of fiber. They must always be used in complementary pairs. BIDI Transceivers are a cost-effective solution by doubling the capacity of existing fiber infrastructure.

Application of 100G QSFP28 BIDI

100G multi-mode bidirectional (BiDi) QSFP28 optics

This 100G bidirectional transceiver provides 100Gbs bandwidth over standard duplex multi-mode fiber. The 100G multi-mode BiDi QSFP28 optics include LC duplex connectors with a transmitter and receiver that operate at full-duplex 50Gb/s across a single fiber. It is used for multi-mode fiber lines up to 70m in length (OM3) or 100m (OM4). It is appropriate for 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in data centers, high-performance computing networks, enterprise core, and distribution layers, and the service provider application.

100G Singlemode bidirectional (BiDi) CWDM4 optics

The 100G Singlemode bidirectional (BiDi) optics use a single optical channel signal and operate at wavelengths of 1271nm and 1331nm. It is exclusively used as an LC simplex connector and can support two independent channels in opposite directions on a single fiber strand. It is designed to be used in inter-and intra-connect applications within and between data centers, such as between switches, routers, storage equipment, and so on. The bidirectional optics adhere to the 100G CWDM4 MSA industry standard, often supporting 10km and 40km link distances using Singlemode fiber.

100G multimode BiDi vs. 100G Singlemode BiDi vs. 10G SFP+ BiDi vs. 1G SFP+ BiDi optics, What is the difference?