The Field Engineer’s Manual: Optimizing Signal Integrity for 100G BIDI QSFP28 10km Links
Release date:Jan 19,2026

In high-capacity 8K video backhaul, the 100G BIDI QSFP28 10km transceiver is often the link of choice. However, moving 100Gbps over a single fiber strand introduces specific physical layer challenges that are absent in traditional dual-fiber setups. This manual focuses on the optimization of TDECQ (Transmitter and Dispersion Eye Closure Quaternary) and the mitigation of back-reflections in 10km spans.


Combatting Optical Return Loss (ORL) in Single-Strand Fiber

In a bidirectional link, the Tx and Rx signals share the same physical medium. The most common cause of link flapping in a 100G-BX10 deployment is Optical Return Loss (ORL). Reflections from dirty LC ferrules or poor mechanical splices bounce back into the laser cavity, causing "noise" in the PAM4 eye diagram.


Field Action: ORL Mitigation

Ensure that all connectors are cleaned with an IBC one-click cleaner. For 100G BIDI links, we recommend a target ORL of >35dB. Any reflection higher than -25dB will drastically increase the Pre-FEC Bit Error Rate (BER), causing micro-stutters in uncompressed 8K video feeds.


Link ComponentStandard Loss (dB)Engineer's Safety Margin
Fiber Attenuation (10km @ 1331nm)~3.5 dBAllow for 0.4 dB/km aging
Mismatched Patch Panels (2 pts)~1.0 dBTarget < 0.5 dB per point
Total System Budget6.3 dBKeep 2.0 dB headroom

Link Budget & Power Margin Analysis

The QSFP28 100G BIDI 10km operates within a tight power envelope. Unlike NRZ signaling used in 10G, the PAM4 modulation used here splits the voltage levels into four stages, making the receiver significantly more sensitive to attenuation.


Host Diagnostic Protocol: Verifying FEC Status

Stability on a 10km BIDI link is impossible without Forward Error Correction (FEC). When troubleshooting a 100G link that shows "UP" but drops packets during 8K peaks, check the FEC statistics via the switch CLI:

# show interface Ethernet 1/1 transceiver diagnostics
           # show interface Ethernet 1/1 counters errors

           # Check for: FEC_corrected_blocks vs FEC_uncorrectable_blocks

If FEC_uncorrectable_blocks are incrementing, your 10km optical path is likely suffering from chromatic dispersion or connector-induced reflections.


Conclusion: Reliable 8K Edge Aggregation

Successful deployment of the 100G BIDI QSFP28 10km requires a shift in mindset from "plug-and-play" to "precision-calibration." By managing the ORL and ensuring strict FEC alignment, Univiso clients can achieve fiber-doubling efficiency without compromising the integrity of their most critical video data.

Univiso ' s transceivers (SFPs) are designed to support multiple networks.

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