CFP vs CFP2 vs CFP4 vs CFP8 Optical Transceivers: Key Differences
By RF Wireless Expert Team
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This article breaks down the key differences between CFP, CFP2, CFP4, and CFP8 optical transceivers commonly used in fiber optic networks.
Figure 1: Dimensions of CFP, CFP2, CFP4, and CFP8
The table below summarizes the specifications of each form factor:
| Specifications | CFP | CFP2 | CFP4 | CFP8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension (Width x Height x Depth in mm) | 82 x 13.6 x 144.8 | 41.5 x 12.4 x 107.5 | 21.5 x 9.5 x 92 | 40 x 9.5 x 102 |
| Number of pins used in electrical connection | 148 | 104 | 56 | 124 |
| DSP | Integrated DSP within package | No DSP in package, depends on Host Card | No DSP in package, depends on Host Card | No DSP in package, depends on Host Card |
| Power usage | <24 W | <12 W | <6 W | 24 W (Max.) |
| Number of lanes | 10 x 10G or 4 x 25G | 10 x 10G, 4 x 25G, 8 x 25G or 8 x 50G | 4x 10G or 4 x 25G | 16 x 25G, 8 x 50G |
In essence, the progression from CFP to CFP8 represents a trend towards smaller size, lower power consumption, and higher bandwidth capabilities. While CFP had an integrated DSP, later versions rely on the host card for DSP functionality, offering greater flexibility.
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