FS introduced a portfolio of 800G OSFP and QSFP-DD ZR/ZR+ coherent optical modules aimed at AI scale-across architectures and data center interconnect (DCI) networks. The pluggable modules target the growing demand for high-capacity optical connectivity as AI infrastructure expands across multiple data centers. The solution supports standardized 800G coherent transport while emphasizing interoperability, operational visibility, and simplified deployment for cloud and AI networking environments.
The new modules use a 5nm digital signal processor (DSP) from Marvell and support coherent transmission at up to 800G over distances of up to 120 km (75 miles) for 800ZR applications and up to 500 km (311 miles) for ZR+ deployments across single-mode fiber. The optics support both C-band and L-band operation to improve spectrum efficiency and maximize existing fiber infrastructure. FS says the modules comply with OSFP and QSFP-DD Multi-Source Agreements (MSAs), along with 800ZR, OpenZR+, and OIF specifications, enabling multi-vendor interoperability. The platform also supports Open FEC to enhance transmission performance and reliability.
The modules include support for CMIS and C-CMIS management interfaces, enabling real-time telemetry, alarm reporting, and operational monitoring. As AI clusters become geographically distributed, coherent pluggable optics are increasingly replacing traditional transponder-based systems for metro and regional interconnects, allowing operators to deploy higher-capacity optical links using standard switch and router interfaces.
• 800G coherent optical modules available in OSFP and QSFP-DD form factors.
• Supports both 800ZR and OpenZR+ deployments.
• Up to 120 km (75 miles) reach for 800ZR and up to 500 km (311 miles) for ZR+ applications.
• Powered by a Marvell 5nm coherent DSP.
• Supports C-band and L-band optical transmission.
• Complies with OSFP MSA, QSFP-DD MSA, OpenZR+, 800ZR, and OIF specifications.
• Supports CMIS/C-CMIS management interfaces and Open FEC.
“The growth of AI and DCI traffic is driving greater demand for scalable and efficient optical transport. FS 800G coherent modules are designed to help customers simplify network expansion and scale network capacity more efficiently,” said Kyrie Zhang, Senior Technical Director at FS.
🌐 Analysis: The market for 800G coherent pluggables is accelerating as hyperscalers build AI clusters that span multiple data center campuses. Rather than relying exclusively on dedicated optical transport equipment, operators increasingly deploy coherent optics directly inside Ethernet switches and routers, reducing cost, power consumption, and operational complexity for scale-across AI fabrics.
The announcement also reflects broader industry adoption of standards-based coherent pluggables. Vendors including Marvell, Cisco, Ciena, Coherent, Nokia, Infinera, and numerous optical module manufacturers continue expanding support for 800ZR and OpenZR+ as the industry prepares for the transition toward 1.6T coherent optics over the coming product cycle.
| FS Company Profile | |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | New Castle, Delaware, USA |
| Business | ICT products, optical networking, data center infrastructure and telecom solutions |
| Primary Markets | AI Infrastructure, HPC, Data Centers, Telecom, Enterprise Networks |
| New Product | 800G OSFP/QSFP-DD ZR/ZR+ coherent optical modules |
| Technology | Marvell 5nm coherent DSP, 800ZR, OpenZR+, Open FEC, CMIS/C-CMIS |
| Reach | Up to 120 km (75 miles) for 800ZR; up to 500 km (311 miles) for ZR+ |
| Standards | OSFP MSA, QSFP-DD MSA, OIF, 800ZR, OpenZR+ |
| Target Applications | AI scale-across networking, metro DCI, regional DCI, cloud infrastructure |
🌐 We’re tracking the latest developments in optical networking. Follow our ongoing coverage at: https://convergedigest.com/category/optical/
|
800G ZR / ZR+ Coherent Optics
Standards, Technology, and AI Data Center Interconnect (DCI)
|
|
|---|---|
| Overview | 800G ZR and ZR+ coherent pluggables deliver 800 Gbps DWDM transport directly from Ethernet switches and routers, enabling high-capacity Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and distributed AI clusters without requiring external optical transponders. |
| 800ZR (OIF) | An OIF-standardized, interoperable coherent interface optimized for point-to-point metro DCI. The OIF 800ZR Implementation Agreement targets single-span, amplified DWDM links of approximately 80–120 km (50–75 miles). |
| OpenZR+ / ZR+ | Extends coherent transmission with higher optical performance, flexible operating modes, and longer reach. Some vendor implementations support 500 km to 1,000 km+ (311–621+ miles) at 800G, with longer regional distances possible at lower rates such as 400G. |
| Modulation & Baud Rate | Uses high-symbol-rate coherent transmission, commonly in the ~118 to 140 Gbaud class, with 16QAM and advanced DSP techniques to balance spectral efficiency, reach, and noise tolerance. |
| Form Factors & Power | Available in QSFP-DD800 and OSFP form factors. Thermal and power envelopes vary by vendor and operating mode, typically in the mid-20W to low-30W range. |
| Key Standards |
• OIF 800ZR IA — Multi-vendor interoperability baseline • OpenZR+ MSA — Extended-reach coherent pluggable framework • QSFP-DD800 & OSFP — Standard pluggable form factors • CMIS / C-CMIS — Module management, telemetry, and diagnostics • OpenFEC (oFEC) — Forward error correction for coherent optical links |
| Technology Innovation | Current designs use advanced 5nm-class coherent DSPs, silicon photonics or InP-based optical integration, tunable lasers, and higher-output-power variants for broader ROADM compatibility. |
| Primary Use Cases |
• Distributed AI scale-across GPU networking • Hyperscale cloud Data Center Interconnect (DCI) • Metro and regional optical transport • IP-over-DWDM architecture deployment |
| Why It Matters | As AI clusters expand across multi-building and multi-campus environments, coherent pluggables eliminate traditional transponder layers, reducing power consumption, footprint, and network complexity while enabling scalable optical fabrics. |
| Industry Direction | The industry continues to shift from standalone optical transport shelves toward direct-to-switch coherent optics. Standards work and product roadmaps are already progressing toward 1.6T coherent pluggables. |
| Leading DSP Suppliers | Marvell • Cisco Acacia • Nokia |
| Leading Module Vendors | Coherent • Lumentum • Innolight • Eoptolink • Hisense Broadband • AOI • FS |
| Supporting System Vendors | Arista Networks • Cisco • Juniper Networks • Nokia • Ciena |