In the construction of 5G network, optical module is the basic building unit of 5G network, which accounts for a large proportion of network construction cost and is the key element of 5G low cost and wide coverage. The 5G network bearer network is divided into fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul. The fronthaul refers to the connection between the active antenna processing unit (AAU) and the distribution unit (DU), and the midhaul refers to the distribution unit (DU) and the centralized unit (AU). ), the backhaul refers to the connection between the centralized unit (CU) and the core network.

Next, ETU-LINK will introduce to you the types of optical modules required for the fronthaul and middle backhaul of the 5G bearer network.

1. Fronthaul Optical Module

SFP-25G-SR optical module: SFP28 package type, center wavelength is 850nm, duplex LC interface, multi-mode, operating temperature is (0°C ~ 70°C), including eCPRI interface. With the multi-mode patch cord OM3, the transmission distance can reach 70M; with the multi-mode patch cord OM4, the transmission distance can reach 100M.

SFP-25G-LR Optical Module：SFP28 package type, the center wavelength is 1310nm, duplex LC interface, single mode, supports commercial grade (0°C to 70°C) and industrial grade (-45°C to 85°C) operating temperature range, including eCPRI interface. Generally used with single-mode patch cord OS2, it is widely used in 5G fronthaul CPRI/eCPRI network, and the longest transmission distance can reach 10KM.

SFP-25G-ER Optical Module：SFP28 package type, center wavelength is 1310nm, duplex LC interface, single mode, supports commercial grade (0°C ~ 70°C) operating temperature range. Generally used with single-mode patch cord OS2 for 5G fronthaul CPRI/eCPRI network, the longest transmission distance can reach 40KM.

25G CPRI SFP28 ER Lite Optical Module: SFP28 package type, center wavelength is 1310nm, duplex LC interface, single-mode, supports industrial-grade (-45°C ~ 85°C) operating temperature range, and complies with CPRI/eCPRI standards. Generally used with single-mode patch cord OS2 for 5G fronthaul CPRI/eCPRI network, the longest transmission distance can reach 40KM.

25G CPRI BIDI SFP28 Optical Module: SFP28 package type, center wavelength is 1270nm-Tx, 1330nm-Rx, simplex LC interface, single mode, supports industrial grade (-45°C ~ 85°C) operating temperature range, complies with CPRI/eCPRI standard. Generally used with single-mode patch cord OS2 for 5G fronthaul CPRI/eCPRI network, the longest transmission distance can reach 40KM.

25G CWDM SFP28 Optical Module: 6. SFP28 package type, optional wavelength is 1270nm-1370nm (interval 20nm), duplex LC interface, single-mode, supports industrial-grade (-20°C ~ 85°C) operating temperature range, in line with CPRI/eCPRI standards. Generally used with single-mode patch cord OS2 for 5G fronthaul CPRI/eCPRI network, the longest transmission distance can reach 10KM.

25G DWDM SFP28 optical module: SFP28 package type, fixed wavelength C-band C18-C61 (interval 100GHz), duplex LC interface, single-mode, support industrial-grade (-20°C ~ 85°C) operating temperature range, in line with CPRI/eCPRI standards. Generally used with single-mode patch cord OS2 for 5G fronthaul CPRI/eCPRI network, the longest transmission distance can reach 10KM.

2. Intermediate and backhaul optical modules

A. 50G BiDi QSFP28 40KM Single Mode optical Module: QSFP28 package type, the wavelength is 1295/1309nm, LC simplex interface, using PAM4 modulation method, the transmission distance can reach 40KM through the use of single-mode fiber patch cord OS2.

B. 50G BiDi QSFP28 10KM Single Mode optical Module: QSFP28 package type, wavelength is 1271/1331nm, simplex LC interface, adopts PAM4 modulation method, and the transmission distance can reach 10KM by matching single-mode fiber patch cord OS2.

C. 50G QSFP28 PAM4 LR optical Module: QSFP28 package type, wavelength is 1310nm, duplex LC interface, using PAM4 modulation method, the transmission distance can reach 10KM by matching single-mode fiber patch cord OS2.

D. 50G QSFP28 PAM4 ER optical Module：QSFP28 package type, wavelength is 1310nm, duplex LC interface, using PAM4 modulation method, the transmission distance can reach 40KM by matching single-mode fiber patch cord OS2.

E. 100G QSFP28 CWDM4 optical Module：QSFP28 package type, wavelengths are 1271nm, 1291nm, 1311nm, 1331nm, duplex LC interface, the transmission distance can reach 2KM by matching single-mode fiber patch cord OS2.

The above are the optical modules commonly used in the fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul of the 5G bearer network. For fronthaul optical modules, due to the high cost of 100G optical modules, 25G optical modules are currently generally used, while 50G, 50G, 100G optical module. As a professional optical module manufacturer, ETU-LINK can provide the above optical module products. ETU-LINK will continue to provide higher performance products and invest in the construction of 5G networks together with communication operators. Thank you for your support!