200G DAC: Low-Cost Data Center Short-Reach Link

As data center network bandwidth demands continue to grow, high-speed cables play a critical role in short-distance interconnects, offering significant advantages in cost, power consumption, and deployment efficiency. C-LIGHT's independently developed 200G Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables, backed by mature manufacturing processes, stable quality, and flexible product specifications, are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for data center operators.

I. Product Overview

A 200G DAC cable consists of a copper cable assembly with connector modules attached at both ends. It is an economical and efficient interconnect product designed specifically for short-distance data transmission. C-LIGHT 200G DAC cables are primarily used for interconnecting computer data centers and cloud servers. The communication protocol complies with IEEE 802.3bj/by standards, the interface protocol adheres to SFF-8636 specifications, and the packaging protocol conforms to QSFP-DD/QSFP56/QSFP28 MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) standards. These cables are compatible with switch equipment from over 100 brands.

II. Core Product Features

C-LIGHT 200G DAC cables offer prominent advantages in power consumption and cost-effectiveness. Compared with traditional Active Optical Cables (AOC), DAC cables do not contain expensive optical lasers or other electronic components within the connector modules. Consequently, their power consumption is extremely low (negligible), and they significantly reduce cabling costs. Taking the 200G QSFP56 DAC as an example, its typical power consumption is only about 0.03W, making it highly cost-effective for ultra-short-reach data center transmission scenarios.

In terms of signal transmission performance, the 200G QSFP56 DAC utilizes 4 transmit and 4 receive channels, with each channel supporting a transmission rate of up to 53G using PAM4 modulation technology. The 200G QSFP-DD DAC features 8 transmit and 8 receive channels, each operating at 25G using NRZ modulation. The product's optimized design effectively reduces crosstalk and insertion loss, delivering excellent signal integrity.

C-LIGHT 200G DACs support a variety of flexible interface combination options. The product series includes: 200G QSFP56 to QSFP56 direct attach, 200G QSFP-DD to QSFP-DD direct attach, 200G QSFP56 to 2x100G QSFP28 breakout cable, 200G QSFP56 to 4x50G SFP56 breakout cable, and 200G QSFP-DD to 2x100G QSFP28 breakout cable. Transmission lengths are available from 0.5 meters to 3 meters, using 28AWG wire gauge, fully meeting the connectivity requirements of various network architectures.

III. Typical Application Scenarios

The most typical application scenario for 200G DAC is short-reach link interconnection between switches and routers with QSFP-200G ports within the same rack or between adjacent racks in a data center. In network topologies requiring a 200G to 2x100G breakout, the 200G QSFP56 to 2x100G QSFP28 DAC cable enables flexible deployment by connecting one 200G QSFP56 port on one end to two 100G QSFP28 ports on the other. Similarly, for 200G to 4x50G device interconnection scenarios, the 200G QSFP56 to 4x50G SFP56 DAC cable meets the needs of breakout connections within the same rack.

IV. Product Technical Specifications

V. Manufacturing Strength and Factory Capabilities

C-LIGHT (Shenzhen Chengguang Network Communication Co., Ltd.), established in 2011, has 15 years of experience in the research, development, and manufacturing of fiber optic network products. The company has independently developed and mass-produced over 1,000 optical transceiver module solutions, covering eight major product categories including 800G, 400G, 200G, 100G, 50G, 25G, and 10G.

In terms of R&D innovation, C-LIGHT boasts a team of over 50 professional engineers, with core members possessing prior work experience at leading international communication enterprises. The company's R&D laboratory is equipped with comprehensive equipment for product design verification, reliability testing, and general inspection. C-LIGHT has also independently developed various software and hardware testing environments and tools to effectively ensure R&D quality and efficiency.

In the manufacturing process, C-LIGHT operates a Class 100,000 cleanroom facility. The production process is fully monitored and managed by an MES (Manufacturing Execution System). Core tuning processes have achieved automated production and data-driven management. The company shares a raw material supply chain with top-tier international manufacturers, and all raw materials undergo quality certification from renowned suppliers. Products undergo 100% inspection through three quality control stages: initial testing, final testing, and pre-shipment inspection. C-LIGHT is certified under ISO9001 Quality Management System, ISO14001 Environmental Management System, and ISO27001 Information Security Management System. Products have obtained multiple international certifications including FCC, CE, REACH, TUV, RoHS, and UL. The daily production capacity exceeds 8,000 units. Mainstream products are maintained with rolling inventory, allowing 90% of orders to ship within 2 to 3 days. Factory-direct shipping and third-party delivery in Hong Kong are both supported.

VI. After-Sales and Customization Services

C-LIGHT 200G DAC cables come with a 3-year warranty, long-term maintenance support, and professional free technical guidance. The company supports comprehensive product customization services, from chip selection and circuit design to firmware development, catering to specific customer requirements.