How the Vitex application testing lab validated the performance of selectable data rates of a QSFP-DD breakout AOC for 5G RU connectivity application
To ensure that Vitex optical products perform as specified and would be viable for an ORAN-based wireless 5G solution, our testing laboratory configured a set up that mimicked and tested the performance of a 200G QSFP-DD 8x 25G breakout AOC at 8x 10G.
CASE STUDY
Customer Profile
A Tier 1 network equipment manufacturer for public and private 5G networks, our customer is on the forefront of developing and integrating network architecture for wireless 5G traffic. In an industry that has recently switched from proprietary networks designed and built for singular manufacturers to open brand standards and architecture, the company’s system integration division is now deeply invested in identifying, testing and deploying interoperable Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) solutions that capitalize on their highly regarded products.
The Challenges
The customer is developing a complete wireless 5G network upgrade solution that will connect existing cell site 10G and 25G radio units (RUs) to their new 200G cell site router (CSR). The integration’s communication backbone, an 8-lane QSFP-DD, must be rated to withstand extended temperatures; in most deployments, the CSR will likely be in unconditioned cabinets located at the base of cell towers.
HIGHLIGHTS
Industry
Network Equipment Manufacturing
Challenges
Product Quality
Tech Support
Product Specifications & Requirements
Solutions
US-based Tech Support
US-based Lab Testing
Products
200G QSFP-DD to 8x LC Breakout AOC
40G QSFP+ SR4 transceiver
40G QSFP+ to 4x LC Duplex Breakout AOC
The Vitex extended temp 200G QSFP-DD 8x 25G LC breakout AOC is an optimal solution for connecting installed 25G RUs to the new CSR and ensuring long-term, reliable service. To ensure that the 200G AOC could perform equally well at a reduced data rate of 10 Gb/s per channel without any quality degradation was imperative to the overall solution design.
In addition to the customer’s lab and field product testing, Vitex tested the E-temp 200G QSFP-DD AOC in our in-house laboratory to verify that the AOC would meet the project requirement of speed performance at either 10G or 25G.
The Solution
The objective of the testing was to validate the performance of the E-temp 200G QSFP-DD 8x 25G LC BO AOC (3m length) operating at a reduced data rate of 10Gbps/channel instead of its designated 25Gbps/channel.
The Vitex lab used a loopback setup to simulate the customer’s networking hardware:
- The setup included a loopback board, the 200G QSFP-DD module, two 40G QSFP SR4 modules and a high-speed multi-service test instrument.
- Two MPO to 4x Duplex-LC cables were used to connect between the 8 lanes of QSFP-DD and the two 40G QSFP+ modules. The correct polarity of the breakout cabling was confirmed.
- The 200G module’s CDR was bypassed to adapt the module to a lower bit rate by modifying the EEPROM settings as per CMIS 4.0 standard.
For the testing, a BERT (Bit Error Rate Test) was conducted for 20.5 hours using the Ethernet BERT tester equipment.
Real time monitoring and data reporting of quality, connections and digital diagnostic monitoring (DDM) values were retrieved from the loopback board’s graphical user interface (GUI) and the test module’s GUI. DDM values included transceiver power, receiver power, alarms and errors.
The Results
Thorough testing validated that the performance of the E-temp 200G QSFP-DD 8x 25G LC BO AOC remained as expected whether the breakout operated at its designated 25G or at a reduced data rate of 10G per channel.
The Vitex lab’s loopback setup testing yielded the following results:
- Validated the performance of the 200G (8x25G) QSFP-DD module at 80G (8x10G). Bypassing the CDR, the 200G QSFP-DD module successfully operated at a 10G bit rate per channel.
- No alarms or pattern loss were indicated at any time. This was verified through real-time monitoring of DDM values.
- Bypassing the CDR, the 200G QSFP-DD module successfully operated at a 10Gbps bit rate per channel.
- The BERT-TEST reported zero pattern loss, zero errors and a Bit Error Rate (BER) of 0.00E00.
Confirmation of the flexibility and performance of the 200G QSFP-DD is an essential but single point of verification for our customer. Because of the open nature of O-RAN and the newness of the integration, not all cell sites will be upgraded to the latest 25G RUs. Supporting existing RUs at 10G and having the option of supporting 25G as well with a single optical transceiver is a futureproof option with both cost savings and reduced inventory management hassle.
Once the system integration steps are complete, the overall solution will be field tested by the wireless service provider. The customer will benefit from significant cost and time savings by deploying a disaggregated and open solution that is compliant with O-RAN.
Learn more about the Vitex in-house lab or the Vitex extended temp. 200G QSFP-DD to 8x 25G SR Duplex LC Breakout AOC. For questions about products, solutions and capabilities, contact us at info@vitextech.com.
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