1. A Breakthrough in Fiber Transmission: Single-Fiber Bidirectional Innovation

By leveraging wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), the 100G BIDI 10KM module enables full-duplex 100Gbps transmission over a single optical fiber—breaking away from the conventional dual-fiber architecture. Its advantages are clear:

• Fiber Resource Efficiency: Cuts fiber usage by 50% compared to traditional duplex solutions, ideal for fiber-constrained environments like legacy urban infrastructures or subsea deployments.

• Simplified Architecture & Backward Compatibility: Fully compatible with QSFP28 interfaces, allowing seamless upgrades without replacing switches or routers.

• Energy-Efficient & Reliable: Utilizes PAM4 modulation and integrated design to maintain power consumption below 3.5W, with hermetic sealing and EMI optimization ensuring stable, long-term performance.

For example, Gigalight's 100G QSFP28 BIDI LR1 module uses an O-band single-channel design, delivering 10km reach while supporting both III-V and silicon photonics platforms to address diverse cost and performance requirements.

2. Real-World Applications: From Data Centers to 5G Networks

Data Center Interconnect (DCI)

In high-density data center environments, the 100G BIDI 10KM module offers efficient connectivity between core switches and aggregation layers. Supporting up to 10km links, it can reduce fiber cabling by half. One leading cloud provider, for instance, cut its inter-data center fiber usage from 8 strands to 4, lowering cabling costs by more than 30%.

Metro Networks and Edge Computing

For long-haul metro links between urban nodes, fiber efficiency is critical. Accelink’s long-range 100G BIDI modules use O-band wavelengths and SOA-based dispersion compensation, enabling 80km single-fiber transmission—ideal for regional data center to edge node connections.

5G Fronthaul and Midhaul

The dense deployment of 5G base stations demands cost-effective, high-bandwidth transport. The 100G BIDI 10KM module provides single-fiber connectivity for both fronthaul (RRU-AAU) and midhaul (CU-DU) segments, helping carriers accelerate 5G rollout with simplified infrastructure.

3. Market Momentum: From Innovation to Large-Scale Adoption

LightCounting forecasts the QSFP28 100G BIDI market to exceed 3 million units annually by 2025, with a compound growth rate over 20%. This trend is driven by:

• 400G Upgrade Support: The 100G BIDI serves as a fundamental building block (4×100G PAM4) for 400G deployments, simplifying system design and reducing manufacturing costs.

• Sustainability Focus: Single-fiber designs not only cut deployment costs but also reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions—supporting global green networking goals.

Vendors such as Lightron and Huawei have launched MSA-compliant products supporting 10km single-fiber transmission and IPEC-certified interoperability across multi-vendor environments.

4. Deployment Guidance: Choosing the Right Solution

When deploying 100G BIDI 10KM modules, consider the following:

• Transmission Distance: Select the LR1 (10km) or ER1 (40km) variant based on link requirements.

• Device Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with mainstream switches from vendors like Huawei and Cisco to avoid integration issues.

• Power and Thermal Constraints: For dense data center setups, opt for modules with ≤4W power consumption to maintain stability under continuous operation.

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Conclusion: Ushering in the Era of High-Bandwidth, Single-Fiber Networking

The 100G BIDI 10KM module is more than just an incremental upgrade—it represents a shift toward more efficient, scalable, and sustainable optical networking. With its ability to dramatically reduce fiber costs while delivering robust performance, this technology is becoming central to modern data centers, metro networks, and 5G infrastructure. As demand rises and the technology matures, it is poised to drive the next wave of evolution in the global optical communication industry.