Pluggable modules come in many variants, each designed for a specific purpose. Small form factor pluggable (SPF) technology was developed to support high-speed interconnects between servers, storage, and communications equipment in data centers and similar environments. Over time, the multi-source agreement (MSA) that specifies SPF has evolved to include new formats, including SFP, SFP+, SFP28,…
IMS 2023: keynote analyzes early undersea cables
In EE World videos from the 2023 International Microwave Symposium, engineers received a history lesson on early transatlantic cables through an analysis using today’s methods. Plus, a demonstration of a 1944 radio using a razor blade as a rectifier. Modern equipment provided an automated Morse code signal.
EE World’s 2023 communications handbook is here
Our 2023 5G, Wired, & Wireless Handbook is now available in ebook form. Download your copy today. It started on a cold January day with an editorial call. A month later, the abstracts came in. After another month, the manuscripts came in. Then came the editing and some back-and-forth with the authors. Next, it was…
Analyze signal integrity in serial links with pyBERT
EE World spoke with David Banas, who demonstrated pyBERT, the free and open software for signal-integrity analysis where he explains the motivation for its creation.
Agreement targets 3.2 Tb/sec co-packaged optical module or cable
OIF continues to promote collaboration and coordination among different players in the supply chain and drive efforts to foster a co-packaging ecosystem to support innovative applications. An industry-first, the OIF-Co-Packaging-3.2T-Module-01.0 – Implementation Agreement for a 3.2Tb/s Co-Packaged (CPO) Module defines a 3.2T co-packaged module that targets Ethernet switching applications utilizing 100G electrical lanes and provides backward compatibility…
OFC 2023 round-up
The Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC) returned once again to provide a crucial platform for companies of the industry from around the globe. Taken place this past week, March 5th to 9th in San Diego, the annual exhibition and conference presented up-to-date techniques, materials, technologies, and applications in fiber optic technology. Below you will find…
What is a SmartNIC and its underlying architecture?
Learn the basics about SmartNICs, their design, and why they’ll be a crucial element in future networks.
Coherent optics reach 1.6 Tb/sec
Ciena announced the latest generation of its industry-leading WaveLogic technology. Optimized for high-capacity transport required with next-generation routing data paths and associated wholesale services, Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 will support up to 1.6Tb/s single-carrier wavelengths for metro ROADM deployments, 800Gb/s over the longest links, and energy-efficient 800G pluggables across 1000km distances. As service providers grapple with the dual…
The essence of return loss in optical fiber
Return loss happens when transmitted energy reflects back to its source. Designers must pay close attention to optical return loss (ORL), an important metric in an optical network. ORL is defined as return loss for the entire optical fiber under test, which includes fiber backscatter and reflections relative to the source pulse. This ORL metric…
Inject disturbances into power rails with a “cool” probe
The P2124 from Picotest lets you inject modulation signals onto your board’s power rails for noise immunity testing.