Introduction: Growing Demand for High-Speed Transmission, Zhaolong AOC Provides Support
In the interconnected era driven by AI and cloud computing, the demand for high-speed data transmission is growing. Active Optical Cables (AOC) combine the high-speed transmission advantages of optical fibers and the cabling convenience of cables, making them suitable for scenarios such as inter-cabinet interconnection in data centers and equipment linkage in AI computing clusters. Based on optical communication technology, Zhaolong Interconnect has developed a series of AOC products, covering the full range from short-distance (1-20m) to medium-long distance (20-100m). Zhaolong’s AOC products not only focus on core medium-long distance needs but also adapt to short-distance high-speed interconnection scenarios.
Policy-Driven Explosive Demand in Optical Modules/High-Speed Cable Segments: AOC Benefits Directly
China’s policies continue to focus on the "high-speed optical interconnection" segment to which AOC belongs, creating clear growth space for it:
• Targeted Policy Empowerment: The 14th Five-Year Plan for Digital Economy Development proposes to "accelerate the construction of high-speed and ubiquitous digital infrastructure", and the 14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Information and Communications Industry further clarifies "breaking through technologies of new optical interconnection cable assemblies such as Active Optical Cables (AOC)", which directly provides policy support for the technological upgrading and scenario implementation of AOC. The "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project promotes the clustering of data centers. In 2023, the number of standard racks in China’s data centers exceeded 8.1 million (growth rate > 20%), leading to a surge in demand for 1-100m high-speed interconnection between cabinets.
Verification by Segmented Market Data:
• Optical Module Sector: According to forecasts from renowned market research institute LightCounting, the global optical module market size is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22% from 2024 to 2029, and is expected to exceed USD 37 billion by 2029. As a core component in data communication/telecommunication scenarios, AOC’s global shipment volume is projected to reach 10 million units by 2027. In the Chinese market, the optical module scale reached CNY 60.6 billion in 2024 (year-on-year growth +12.2%) and is expected to hit CNY 67 billion in 2025 (Zhongshang Industry Research Institute), with the proportion of high-speed AOC continuing to rise.
2021-2025 China Optical Module Market Size Forecast Trend Chart (Data Source: Collated by Zhongshang Industry Research Institute)
• High-Speed Cable Sector: According to LightCounting, the global high-speed cable (DAC+ACC+AEC+AOC) market size will reach USD 6.7 billion by 2029 (compared to USD 1.8 billion in 2024). Due to its adaptability to the policy-supported "medium-long distance high-speed interconnection" scenarios, AOC’s proportion will increase from 30% in 2024 to 45% in 2029, becoming the fastest-growing segmented category.
Data Source: LIGHTCOUNTING, GUNSHIFU Investment Research Notes
Data Source: LIGHTCOUNTING, GUNSHIFU Investment Research Notes
• Scenario Adaptability: Compared with DAC (<3m) and AEC (<7m), AOC’s 1-100m transmission capability is fully compatible with the policy-prioritized "inter-cabinet interconnection". For example, Zhaolong Interconnect’s 800G OSFP AOC has been adapted to inter-cabinet interconnection in ultra-large data centers, directly meeting the segmented demand driven by policies.
Introduction to Zhaolong AOC Products
Zhaolong Interconnect has deep expertise in the optical interconnection field and has launched a full range of AOC products covering multiple rates, adapting to diverse interconnection scenarios. Its core advantages and features are as follows:
(I) Rate Coverage and Scenario Adaptation
Zhaolong AOC products cover a complete range including 10G SFP+ AOC, 25G SFP28 AOC, 40G QSFP+ AOC (including 40G-4x10G branch type), 100G QSFP28 AOC (including 100G-4x25G branch type), 200G QSFP56 AOC, 400G QSFP-DD AOC, and 800G OSFP/QSFP-DD AOC. With rates ranging from 10G to 800G, the transmission distance supports customized specifications such as 1m, 5m, 10m, 20m, 50m, and 100m. Some models (e.g., 40G QSFP+ 4x10G AOC with OM3 multi-mode fiber) can extend the maximum transmission distance to 150m, fully covering short-distance (1-20m), medium-distance (20-100m), and long-distance (100-150m) needs in specific scenarios:
• Zhaolong 800G OSFP/QSFP-DD AOC is mainly suitable for short-distance high-speed scenarios (1-50m), such as 800G Ethernet and high-performance computing;
• Zhaolong100G QSFP28, 200G QSFP56, and 400G QSFP-DD series are adapted to medium-distance scenarios (20-100m), such as inter-cabinet interconnection in data centers and server-switch interconnection;
Zhaolong SFP28-SFP28 AOC Product
• Zhaolong 40G QSFP+, 25G SFP28, 10G SFP+ series, and various branch-type AOCs (e.g., 100G-4x25G, 40G-4x10G) focus on meeting short-to-medium distance high-density interconnection needs (1-100m), such as internal rack connections in data centers and interconnection between server network cards and TOR switches. Some branch models can achieve long-distance transmission of 150m.
(II) Compliance, Reliability, and Clear Performance Parameters
• Standard Compliance: Taking Zhaolong’s 800G OSFP AOC as an example, the product complies with the hot-swappable OSFP MSA standard and IEEE 802.3ck protocol, ensuring compatibility with mainstream equipment.
• Core Performance: Our company’s 800G OSFP AOC adopts 8-channel 106.25Gb/s PAM4 modulation technology, supporting a rate of 850Gbps, with a maximum power consumption of ≤12W and an operating temperature range of 0°C-70°C, adapting to mainstream application environments.
Zhaolong 800G AOC Product
(III) Strict Quality Control and Customized Service Support
The production of Zhaolong AOC cable assemblies complies with the ISO 9001 quality management system. Equipped with a professional technical team, we support customization of cable length, interface type, etc.. And we can provide customized services such as scheme design and product selection.
Summary and Outlook
Founded in 1993, Zhaolong Interconnect is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the manufacturing of data cables and connection cable assemblies. It is a full member of the China Communications Standards Association, a drafter of national standards for data cables, and one of the few enterprises in the industry capable of implementing 400G/800G connection solutions based on complete processes. Over the 31 years since its establishment, our company has forged ahead with steady accumulation and continuous efforts. Its core technologies and product development have closely followed the evolution of Ethernet technology. Our products are exported to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, with wide applications in fields such as 5G communications, cloud computing, data centers, smart cities, industrial automation, internet of vehicles, smart homes, and special applications (medical care, wind energy, marine, locomotives, photovoltaics, nuclear power, aerospace).
With the advantages of full-rate coverage, high-speed long-distance transmission, and stable and reliable AOC products, as well as strict quality control and customized service capabilities, Zhaolong Interconnect has gained certain professional recognition in the field of high-speed interconnection in data centers. In the future, we will keep pace with the 1.6T optical interconnection technology trend, increase R&D investment, and develop next-generation AOC cables supporting longer distances and lower power consumption, so as to provide reliable support for global short-to-medium-to-long distance high-speed interconnection and contribute to the development of the optical interconnection industry.
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