Mellanox MFA1A00-E020 100Gb/s QSFP28 EDR Active Optical Cable 20m InfiniBand

Mellanox MFA1A00-E020 100Gb/s QSFP28 Active Optical Cable

Core Advantages: The MFA1A00-E020 is a VCSEL-based active optical cable designed for InfiniBand EDR 100Gb/s systems. It delivers predictable low latency, consumes only 2.2W per end (with retiming), and supports distances up to 100m — far exceeding passive DAC limitations. Hot-pluggable QSFP28 connectors, integrated retiming, and programmable signal conditioning make it the preferred choice for high-performance computing and dense data center fabrics.

• ✔ Data Rate
  100Gb/s (4× 25G NRZ)
• ✔ Reach
  20 meters (OM3/OM4 MMF)
• ✔ Power Consumption
  2.2W typical (retiming on)
• ✔ Protocol
  InfiniBand EDR / 100GbE

Key Characteristics

• Four multi-mode fiber transceivers per end, each capable of 26Gb/s, ensuring headroom for EDR signaling.
• Selectable retiming per lane for both transmitter and receiver at 25–26Gbps; auto-negotiates to lower rates when retiming disabled.
• Programmable receiver output amplitude and pre-emphasis, plus programmable transmitter input equalizer and squelch.
• Standard SFF-8665 compliant QSFP28 electrical interface; I²C management per SFF-8636.
• BER better than 1E-15, LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) jacket, RoHS compliant.

Technology & Standards

VCSEL + DSP Architecture: Each end of the MFA1A00-E020 integrates four 850nm VCSEL arrays and corresponding PIN detectors. The onboard retiming capability (CDR) cleans the signal eye for both Tx and Rx, allowing the cable to extend reach while maintaining bit-error rates below 10⁻¹⁵. The programmable input equalizer compensates for PCB trace losses, and output pre‑emphasis shapes the signal to meet strict InfiniBand mask requirements.

Management & Diagnostics: Through the I²C interface (SFF‑8636), hosts can read temperature, voltage, and optical power monitors, as well as adjust equalization and output swing — enabling fine‑tuning for mission‑critical links.

Working Principle

The MFA1A00-E020 converts electrical 25G NRZ signals from the host QSFP28 port into optical signals using four VCSEL lasers. These optical signals travel through parallel multimode fibers to the remote end, where PIN photodiodes convert them back to electrical data. The internal clock and data recovery (CDR) circuits can be enabled to re‑time the signals, eliminating jitter accumulated on the electrical interface. Because the cable is “active”, no external power supply is needed beyond the 3.3V provided by the host slot, and all optical conversion happens inside the connector housing.

Applications & Typical Deployments

• InfiniBand EDR clusters in HPC environments (Top500 supercomputers, research labs).
• 100G Ethernet leaf‑spine interconnects in virtualized data centers.
• Storage‑to‑switch connectivity for high‑throughput NVMe‑over‑Fabrics.
• Short‑reach optical links where DAC cables are too heavy or reach‑limited (20m to 100m).

Technical Specifications

Selection Table (Partial)

Why Choose MFA1A00-E020?

• Extended Reach vs. DAC: At 20m, it easily covers top-of-rack to end-of-row distances where passive copper cables would require signal repeaters or become too bulky.
• Integrated Retiming: Unlike passive or linear AOCs, the MFA1A00 series includes real CDR circuits on all four lanes, eliminating jitter and guaranteeing compliance to strict InfiniBand EDR masks.
• Lowest Power in Class: 2.2W typical (with retiming) reduces thermal load in high‑density switches and network cards, contributing to overall data center PUE.
• Programmable Signal Conditioning: Fine‑tune equalization and pre‑emphasis via I²C — invaluable for troubleshooting marginal links or custom system integration.

Service & Support

• Inventory: Over 10 million USD stock, including full MFA1A00‑Exxx series from 1m to 100m.
• Warranty: 1‑year limited hardware warranty (parts repair/replacement).
• Technical Support: 24/7 engineering assistance for deployment and compatibility queries.
• Delivery: Global shipping with real‑time tracking; most orders fulfilled within 24h.

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Precautions

• ESD Sensitivity: Although the cable assembly is rugged, the QSFP28 connectors contain static‑sensitive components. Handle using grounded wrist straps and place on anti‑static mats.
• Bend Radius: Do not bend the fiber tighter than 30mm to avoid optical damage.
• Temperature Range: Operate only within 0‑70°C case temperature; extended exposure to extreme temperatures may degrade VCSEL lifetime.
• Connector Cleaning: Inspect and clean the MPO‑style connectors (inside the QSFP28 cage) before each insertion — use approved optical cleaners.
• Class 1 Laser Product: Complies with IEC 60825‑1. Avoid direct eye exposure to the aperture.

Company Profile

With over ten years of experience in high‑speed networking, we operate a large factory supported by a strong technical team. Our portfolio includes authorized brands: Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, Extreme. We specialize in original brand new network switches, network interface cards (NICs), wireless access points, controllers, and all types of interconnect cables — including the entire Mellanox MFA1A00 series of active optical cables.

We maintain more than $10 million in inventory, ensuring competitive pricing and prompt delivery. Every order receives 24/7 customer service and technical support, guaranteeing accurate fulfillment and post‑sales assistance. Our professional sales and engineering teams have earned a solid reputation among global clients.