UnitekFiber Solution
UnitekFiber Solution

AOC 100G QSFP28 to QSFP28 Active Optical Cable OM3 5M

UnitekFiber 100G QSFP28 active optical cable includes QSFP28 to QSFP28 AOC, QSFP28 to 4*SFP28 AOC, conforms to MSA QSFP28, IEEE802.3, SFF-8431 and other standard protocols; it has the characteristics of low power consumption, small size and high speed, which is beneficial to the increase of data center Capacity, increase port density and reduce power consumption. Mainly used in Ethernet, data center internal network, data center interconnection and other environments

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100G QSFP28 to QSFP28 AOC (5m): High-Performance 100G Ethernet Interconnect


The 100G QSFP28 to QSFP28 Active Optical Cable (AOC) is a high-speed, integrated optical assembly designed for short-range 100G Ethernet links up to 5 meters. Utilizing 850nm VCSEL technology over OM3 multimode fiber, this AOC offers a lower-cost and lower-power alternative to 100G SR4 transceivers. It is optimized for Top-of-Rack (ToR) and Spine-Leaf switch-to-switch connections.


OM3 QSFP28 Transceivers Features


l40Gb/s active optical cable up to 100m OM2 MMF

l850nm VCSEL and PIN receiver

lSingle 3.3V power supply

lOperating Case Temperature: -5~75℃

lHot pluggable

lLow Power Consumption

lLight weight

lSmall Bend Radius

lDigital Diagnostic Monitor(DDM)

lAll-metal Housing for Superior EMI Performance


Technical Specifications & Comparison

At 100G speeds, the choice between AOC and DAC (Copper) is no longer just about price—it's about Signal Integrity and Airflow.


Feature100G QSFP28 AOC (5m)100G QSFP28 DAC (Copper)
Transmission MediaMultimode Fiber (OM3)Twinax Copper
Max Reach (Reliable)Up to 100mHard Limit < 5m (High Signal Loss)
Power Consumption< 2.5W per end~0.1W (but induces port heat)
Cable WeightUltra-Light (Fiber)Heavy (Thick Copper)
Bend Radius30mm (Highly Flexible)>75mm (Rigid, blocks airflow)
EMI ImmunityComplete ImmunitySusceptible to High-Freq Noise


Deep Technical Insights: 100G Signal Optimization


  1. 4x25Gbps Parallel Architecture


The QSFP28 AOC operates via 4 full-duplex lanes, with each lane capable of transmitting data up to 25.78Gbps. To ensure error-free performance in high-density AI clusters, UnitekFiber integrates Digital Diagnostics Monitoring (DDM), allowing engineers to track:

  1. Real-time Optical Output/Input Power

  2. Module Temperature & Voltage

  3. Laser Bias Current


2. Overcoming the "5-Meter Barrier"


In 100G networks, passive copper cables (DACs) face severe Skin Effect and signal degradation beyond 3 meters. Our 5m AOC uses Active Signal Reconditioning to maintain a clean "Eye Diagram."


By using factory-terminated AOCs, we eliminate the 0.75dB loss typical of field-connected patch cords, ensuring the highest Link Margin.


100G QSFP28 AOC Applications


lDatacom

lLow-latency and high-speed interconnections for high performance computing(HPC)

l40G Ethernet SR4

lOther high-throughput data transmission network

lStorage area Network(SAN)


The 5m 100G AOC is the ideal choice for AI Compute Clusters and High-Frequency Trading (HFT) environments where low latency and high throughput are critical. It provides a seamless, plug-and-play connection between Core Switches and high-performance Storage Arrays.


AOC 100G QSFP28 to QSFP28 Active Optical Cable OM3 5M




Compatible


Cisco, Juniper, H3C, Huawei, Alcatel, Allied Telesis, Zyxel, Brocade, Mikrotik, Extreme, Blade, D-linnk Netgear, Finisar, ZTE, Linksys, SMC, Ruijie, Avaya, 3com, Enterasys, Redeback, Planet etc.



Future-Proof Your Data Center

Eliminate link flaps and cable congestion with UnitekFiber’s 100G AOCs. Every cable is verified in our compatibility lab to ensure "plug-and-play" deployment. 


Request a Quote: sales@unitekfiber.com| Reliability in Every Fiber.


Packaging and Shipping


AOC 100G QSFP28 to QSFP28 Active Optical Cable OM3 5M

Production


AOC 100G QSFP28 to QSFP28 Active Optical Cable OM3 5M



Why use OM3 fiber for a 5m 100G AOC?

For a 5-meter run, OM3 multimode fiber provides more than sufficient bandwidth (2000MHz.km) to support 100G Ethernet, making it the most cost-effective solution without the premium price of OM4.

Can active optical cables(AOC) be used in high-density data centers?
What fields are active optical cables(AOC) used in?
Can the 10G SFP in the AOC(active optical cable) be able to connect optical communication equipment?
Can AOC active optical cables be used in large-scale outdoor interactive games?
What are the advantages of AOC active optical cable?
Is 100G QSFP28 AOC compatible with 40G QSFP+ ports?
Does this AOC support FEC (Forward Error Correction)?
Bartley
Aug 08, 2022

Economical, arrived fast, tested out with good numbers after installation. Stripping and polishing was normal.

Verified Purchase
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