Leading vendors including QSFPtek and FS.com have launched 800G QSFP-DD active optical cables that deliver aggregate bandwidth up to 850 Gbps, leveraging PAM4 modulation technology for 106.25 Gbaud per channel. These cables support transmission distances of 30m on OM3 fiber and 50m on OM4 fiber with FEC, while consuming less than 14W of power – a 20% reduction compared to previous 400G solutions.
850 Gbps
Aggregate Bandwidth
106.25 Gbaud
Per Channel (PAM4)
<14W
Power Consumption
20%
Power Reduction vs 400G
Key 800G AOC Specifications
Connector Type
QSFP-DD to QSFP-DD
Minimum Bend Radius
30mm (flexible for dense cabling)
Operating Temperature
0°C to 70°C
Compliance
IEEE 802.3ck, QSFP-DD MSA
800G QSFP-DD Active Optical Cable (AOC) with QSFP-DD Connectors
Detachable Connectors: A Game-Changer for Silicon Photonics
At ECOC 2025, GlobalFoundries (GF) and Corning unveiled a collaborative detachable fiber connector solution, marking a milestone in co-packaged optics (CPO) for AI infrastructure. The GlassBridge edge-coupler integrates with GF’s silicon photonics platform, enabling reliable fiber-to-photonic integrated circuit (PIC) connectivity with ultra-precise core alignment.
This innovation addresses a critical pain point in high-density data centers: serviceability of optical connections. Unlike traditional fixed solutions, the detachable design allows field maintenance and modular upgrades, accelerating deployment of AI cluster networks.
Detachable Connector (New)
- Field maintenance & repairs
- Modular upgrades without full replacement
- Ultra-precise core alignment
- Compatible with CPO architectures
Traditional Fixed Solutions
- No field serviceability
- Full system replacement for upgrades
- Limited alignment precision
- Not optimized for AI clusters
GlassBridge Edge-Coupler: Detachable Connector Solution for CPO
Market Impact & Future Outlook
The global optical jumper market is projected to reach $52 billion in 2025, with China accounting for over 35% of the share. These new technologies are poised to drive further growth, as hyperscalers adopt 800G networks and CPO architectures to handle AI-driven bandwidth demands.
"Our collaboration with Corning delivers next-generation connectivity for AI and machine learning."
Kevin Soukup, Silicon Photonics division at GlobalFoundries
Industry experts anticipate these advancements will pave the way for 1.6T optical cables, with commercial samples expected as early as 2026.
Global Optical Jumper Market Projection (2025) - $52 Billion
Sources
- • QSFPtek Product Datasheet
- • Converge Digest (ECOC25 Coverage)
- • China Fiber Optic Jumper Industry Report 2025
