Active Optical Cable (AOC)
Good quality and good service based on reasonable prices.
- 10G/25G/40G/100G AOC and Breakout AOC.
- Digital diagnostic functions.
- Transmit distance 1-100m.
- Customized.
What are Active Optical Cables?
Active Optical Cable (AOC) is a hybrid technology comprising a transceiver embedded with a fiber optic cable. On the other hand, it may be denoted as a short-length optical fiber installed with optical transceivers on both sides. By employing electrical-to-optical conversions at the ends of cables, all the USB cables enjoy the benefits of increased speed and distance range from the fiber cable ends without any effect on their compatibility with their essential electric interfaces.
Because the link distance is the same all the time, they are generally used in situations where the link distance is repeated. Active Optical Cables are commonly inserted in data interconnects and multi-lane communications. These AOC cables would accelerate the process of storage, data, and high-performance computing.
The figure below unveils the detailed structure:
Active Optical Cable Applications
AOC cables are mainly applied in center data and HPC to get a benefit in terms of speed and distance. Embracing 10G/40G/100G applications, several AOC cables were launched; these include 10G SFP+ AOC, 25G SFP28 AOC, 40G QSFP+ AOC, 56G QSFP+ AOC, 40G QSFP+ to 4x SFP+ breakout AOC, 40G QSFP+ to 8x LC breakout AOC, 100G QSFP28 AOC, 100G QSFP28 to 4x SFP28 breakout AOC, and the 120G CXP AOC, among others. AOC cables, which link many devices in confined areas such as rack-to-rack, shelf-to-shelf interconnects, on storage, hubs, switches, routers, and servers, are normally used for short-range applications. Among such are multi-lane data communication and interconnect applications.
Advantages of AOC Cables
For 10/40/100G transmission, there are a plethora of options to choose from, catering to the growing demand for speed and capacity. What benefits a passive optical cable does offer? We are going to highlight the superior aspects of the AOC cable through our comparative study of DAC cable and optic transceiver.
Based on the chart, we can conclude that:
| AOC Active Optic Cable | DAC Direct Attach Copper | |
| Reach | 100m | ＜10m |
| Cable type | Fiber Optic | Twinax Copper |
| Weight | Light | Heavy |
| Bend Radius | 25mm | 24AWG-38mm 26AWG-33mm 28AWG-25mm 30AWG-23mm |
| Power Comsumption | 1-2w | ＜1w |
| Application | TOR Middle of Row End of Row Zone-to-zon | TOR Adjacent Racks |
| EMI | Strong | Weak |
From the chart, we can conclude that:
- The minimal weight and the smallest bend radius of AOC make lightweight a pivotal element in high-density deployments.
- The design of AOC cables allows for thinner lines, which evacuate heat and result in better aerodynamics and heat balance in high-performance machines.
- The low attenuation of AOC cables at DAC distances is an immense advantage, particularly when the transmission range exceeds 15 meters.
- Unlike AOC, optical fiber in AOC possesses a considerable level of dielectricity. As a result, the level of electromagnetic interference resistance is inversely proportional to ground potential noise level.
- AOC wires are factory pre-terminated; insufficient mechanical disturbance due to the plug and play factor makes AOC escape the risk of repeated exposure. AOC has been proved to be the most reliable solution among transceivers.
AOC vs DAC- Which method of AOC cable selection is appropriate?
By analyzing the graph above, we can draw the following conclusion:
- Length Requirements: Get a cable that fulfills your requirement distance, which typically is about 100 meters; AOC will be sufficient.
- Device Compatibility: Make sure that the AOC functions perfectly with your networking hardware, which includes switches, servers, etc.
- Speed and Bandwidth: Match the data rate of the cable (for example, 10, 40, or 100 Gbps), with your network performance level.
- Connector Type: The correct type of the connector (for example SFP+, QSFP) has to be guessed according to the ports situated in the devices.
- Quality Standards: Choose cables that meet the latest standards for reliability and quality.
- Power Efficiency: Be sure to analyze AOC’s power consumption, especially massive installations.
- Vendor and Cost: Allocate the budget to get better quality, making sure to choose the right vendor and consider warranty options for your purchases.
- Future-Proofing: Think about the enrolled upgrades and pick the cable, which will be able to bear changes in future bandwidth increases.
Contact us for a price
Speak To Active Optical Cable (AOC) Specialist
Customize Your AOC
Confirm The Type
First confirm key information including transmission rate, encapsulation type, connector types, cable length...
Recommed Price and Seveice
After confirming all the details, our sales experts will recommend the right fiber optic transceivers that suit your needs, along with a quote and service.
Email us, Call us, Meeting online with us!
Tell us about your purchasing plans!
We specializing in designing, manufacturing communications infrastructure & equipment and providing customized services for our customers！
Email：sales@hello-signal.com
Give Us A Call：+86 15715730101