407-BCDI Dell 100 Gigabit QSFP28 Gen 3 Transceiver Module.

Dell 407-BCDI 100 Gigabit QSFP28 Transceiver Module

The Dell 407-BCDI represents the pinnacle of 100G optical transceiver technology, engineered specifically for high-performance data center interconnects and telecommunications backbones. This third-generation QSFP28 module delivers exceptional reliability and performance for 10km single-mode fiber deployments.

Technical Specifications Overview

Designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern network infrastructure, the 407-BCDI transceiver operates at 100 Gigabit Ethernet speeds while maintaining backward compatibility with existing 40G infrastructure. The module incorporates advanced DSP technology for signal integrity and low power consumption.

Form Factor and Physical Characteristics

The 407-BCDI utilizes the standardized QSFP28 form factor, measuring 18.35mm in width and 72.5mm in depth. This compact design enables high-density port configurations in modern switches and routers, allowing network administrators to maximize rack space efficiency while achieving unprecedented bandwidth capabilities.

Connector Interface and Design

The module features a robust LC duplex connector interface specifically engineered for single-mode fiber applications. The connector design includes positive latching mechanisms and dust caps to ensure reliable optical coupling and protection during handling and installation.

Performance Characteristics and Capabilities

The Dell 407-BCDI transceiver delivers exceptional performance metrics that meet and exceed industry standards for 100G LR4 applications. The module supports data rates of 103.125 Gbps with exceptional signal integrity across the entire operating temperature range.

Data Rate and Protocol Support

This transceiver supports 100GBASE-LR4 Ethernet as defined by IEEE 802.3ba standards, along with comprehensive protocol compatibility for OTU4 applications. The module maintains full compliance with QSFP28 MSA specifications and Dell's stringent quality requirements.

Wavelength Specifications and Multiplexing

Utilizing coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) technology, the 407-BCDI operates across four independent lanes at 1295.56nm, 1300.05nm, 1304.58nm, and 1309.14nm wavelengths. Each lane transmits at 25.78125 Gbps, aggregated to achieve the full 100G capability.

Optical Power Budget and Link Planning

The transceiver provides an extensive optical power budget with transmitter output power ranging from -4.3 to +4.5 dBm and receiver sensitivity of -8.6 dBm. This generous budget accommodates various fiber plant conditions while maintaining reliable performance across the specified 10km distance.

Temperature Performance Ranges

Engineered for commercial temperature range operation from 0°C to 70°C, the module maintains consistent performance characteristics across the entire spectrum. Special attention to thermal design ensures minimal performance variation even in challenging environmental conditions.

Compliance and Technical Standards

The Dell 407-BCDI transceiver demonstrates comprehensive compliance with international standards and regulatory requirements. Each module undergoes rigorous testing to ensure interoperability and performance consistency across diverse network environments.

Industry Standard Compliance

Full compliance with IEEE 802.3ba 100GBASE-LR4 specifications ensures seamless interoperability with third-party equipment that adheres to the same standards. The module also meets QSFP28 Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) requirements for mechanical and electrical interfaces.

Environmental and Safety Standards

Designed with environmental responsibility, the 407-BCDI complies with RoHS directives restricting hazardous substances. The manufacturing process incorporates Dell's comprehensive environmental management system, ensuring minimal ecological impact throughout the product lifecycle.

Detailed Optical Performance Metrics

The optical performance of the Dell 407-BCDI transceiver represents the culmination of advanced photonic engineering and signal processing technology. Each parameter is carefully optimized to deliver reliable 10km performance on single-mode fiber.

Transmitter Optical Characteristics

The integrated laser transmitter subsystem delivers consistent optical output power while maintaining exceptional spectral characteristics. Each of the four CWDM wavelengths operates within strict tolerances to minimize dispersion and maximize link performance.

Output Power Specifications

Per wavelength output power ranges from -4.3 dBm minimum to +4.5 dBm maximum, with typical operation at +1.5 dBm. This power range ensures adequate signal strength for 10km transmission while remaining within eye safety limits and laser classification requirements.

Extinction Ratio and Modulation Characteristics

The transmitter maintains an extinction ratio greater than 3.5 dB across all operating conditions, ensuring clear distinction between logical ones and zeros. Advanced modulation techniques combined with pre-emphasis circuitry optimize signal quality for long-distance transmission.

Receiver Optical Specifications

The avalanche photodiode receiver provides exceptional sensitivity while maintaining resilience to optical overload. Sophisticated signal processing algorithms compensate for fiber dispersion and other impairments that accumulate over the 10km transmission distance.

Receiver Sensitivity and Overload

Receiver sensitivity of -8.6 dBm minimum ensures reliable detection of incoming optical signals, while the overload threshold of +4.5 dBm prevents receiver damage and performance degradation from excessively powerful input signals.

Receiver Wavelength Tolerance

The optical receiver accepts wavelengths within ±6.5nm of the nominal center wavelengths, providing tolerance for wavelength drift due to temperature variations and component aging. This tolerance ensures long-term reliability throughout the product's operational lifespan.

Electrical Interface and Power Specifications

The electrical design of the Dell 407-BCDI transceiver emphasizes power efficiency, signal integrity, and thermal management. Careful attention to power distribution and heat dissipation enables reliable operation in high-density switch configurations.

Power Consumption Profile

With typical power consumption of 3.5 watts and maximum consumption not exceeding 4.0 watts, the 407-BCDI delivers exceptional performance per watt compared to previous generation transceivers. This efficiency enables higher port densities without exceeding system power budgets.

Supply Voltage Requirements

The transceiver operates from a single 3.3 volt power supply with tolerance of ±5%. Advanced power management circuitry includes soft-start functionality and comprehensive protection against voltage transients and reverse bias conditions.

Management Interface Implementation

A standard two-wire I2C serial interface provides access to the transceiver's memory map, which includes identification information, real-time monitoring data, and threshold settings. The interface complies with SFF-8636 management specifications for QSFP28 modules.

Application Scenarios and Deployment

The Dell 407-BCDI transceiver supports diverse deployment scenarios ranging from data center interconnects to service provider transport networks. Understanding the optimal application environments ensures maximum performance and reliability.

Data Center Interconnect Applications

In data center environments, the 407-BCDI excels at building spine-leaf architectures, connecting top-of-rack switches to aggregation layers, and establishing connections between data hall distribution switches. The 10km reach accommodates campus-style data center layouts with distributed facilities.

Fiber Plant Requirements

Optimal performance requires single-mode fiber meeting ITU-T G.652 specifications with typical attenuation of 0.4 dB/km or less at 1310nm. Connectors and splices should maintain return loss better than 35 dB to minimize reflections that could impact receiver performance.

Compatible Dell Platforms

The 407-BCDI transceiver is qualified for use across Dell's extensive networking portfolio, including PowerSwitch S5200, S5248, S5296, S6100, Z9100, and N3200 series switches. Compatibility extends to Dell EMC storage systems with 100G Ethernet connectivity requirements.

Reliability and Durability Specifications

The Dell 407-BCDI transceiver undergoes extensive reliability testing to ensure consistent performance throughout its operational lifespan. Rigorous qualification processes validate performance under extreme environmental and operational conditions.

Product Lifetime Expectations

Designed for a minimum operational lifetime of 10 years under typical operating conditions, the transceiver incorporates components selected for long-term reliability. Accelerated life testing validates performance retention beyond the specified product lifetime.

Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)

Calculated MTBF exceeds 4 million hours based on Telcordia TR-332 methodology, demonstrating exceptional reliability for critical network infrastructure applications. This reliability metric accounts for all component failure mechanisms under normal operating conditions.

Environmental Stress Testing

Each design undergoes comprehensive environmental stress testing including thermal cycling, humidity exposure, mechanical shock, and vibration testing. These tests validate performance under conditions exceeding typical deployment environments.

Detailed DC Electrical Characteristics

Supply current: 1.06A maximum; power consumption: 3.5W typical, 4.0W maximum; I2C interface voltage: 3.3V compatible with 5V tolerance; module present detection: grounded through 4.7kΩ resistor to ground.

High-Speed Electrical Interface

Differential input impedance: 100Ω; single-ended input impedance: 50Ω; data dependent jitter: 0.15UI typical; total jitter: 0.3UI maximum; rise/fall time: 15ps typical. These characteristics ensure signal integrity at 25.78125 Gbps per lane.

Transmitter Dispersion Penalty (TDP)

The transmitter dispersion penalty remains below 2.0 dB for all operating conditions, ensuring minimal performance impact from chromatic dispersion accumulated over 10km of standard single-mode fiber at the operating wavelengths.

Optical Return Loss Tolerance

The transmitter operates reliably with optical return loss as low as 12 dB without significant performance degradation. This tolerance accommodates typical connector and splice return loss values encountered in field deployments.

Wavelength Stability Characteristics

Center wavelength variation remains within ±0.5nm of nominal values across the entire operating temperature range and throughout the product lifetime. This stability ensures consistent performance without wavelength drift-related issues.

Side Mode Suppression Ratio (SMSR)

The distributed feedback laser sources maintain SMSR greater than 30 dB under all operating conditions, ensuring minimal power in secondary modes that could contribute to dispersion penalties or transmission errors.