AVPro Edge 40G QSFP+ 3 Meter Active Optical Cable

Overview

The AVPro Edge 40G QSFP+ 3 Meter Active Optical Cable (AOC) provides 40 Gbps connectivity between QSFP+-equipped switches over a fiber medium. Unlike passive copper DAC cables, an AOC uses embedded laser transceivers at each end to convert electrical signals to optical signals, extending usable range beyond the limitations of copper twinax while maintaining the plug-and-play simplicity of a direct-attach cable.

Description

In AVPro Edge 10G switch deployments, the QSFP+ AOC is the preferred interconnect for stacking switches within an equipment room or connecting spine and leaf switches across an AV distribution system. The active optical design eliminates the electromagnetic interference susceptibility of copper, making it particularly well-suited for equipment rooms that also house power amplifiers, UPS units, or other EMI-generating equipment. The 3-meter length covers the majority of within-rack and adjacent-rack inter-switch connections. Because the QSFP+ connectors on both ends are identical, the cable is orientation-agnostic and requires no special configuration at either end. The active optics maintain signal integrity at the full 40 Gbps throughput needed for high-density SDVoE or AV-over-IP 10G switch stacking.

Key Features

• Full 40 Gbps QSFP+ bandwidth for switch-to-switch stacking or uplink connections
• Active optical design — immune to electromagnetic interference from nearby power equipment
• 3-meter length covers within-rack and adjacent-rack inter-switch runs
• Plug-and-play installation — no fiber termination or polishing required
• Lighter and more flexible than copper twinax at equivalent length
• Compatible with AVPro Edge 10G switches with QSFP+ uplink ports

Typical Applications

• Stacking AVPro Edge 10G switches within an AV equipment room or data closet
• Connecting spine and leaf switches in AV-over-IP and SDVoE spine-leaf network designs
• Inter-rack 40G connections where EMI from nearby power equipment makes copper unreliable
• Broadcast facilities and production environments requiring high-density 40G switch interconnects
• Any installation where the additional flexibility and lower weight of optical fiber simplifies cable management

Technical Specifications

Competitor Comparison

The key distinction between this AOC and the AVPro Edge passive DAC breakout cable is function: the AOC connects two QSFP+ ports at full 40G bandwidth for switch stacking, while the breakout cable splits one 40G QSFP+ port into four independent 10G SFP+ connections for port expansion. Choose the AOC when you need a 40G-to-40G link; choose the breakout cable when you need to increase 10G port count.

FAQ

What is the difference between an AOC and a passive DAC breakout cable?

A passive DAC breakout cable is a copper cable that splits one 40G QSFP+ port into four 10G SFP+ connections — it is used for port expansion. An AOC maintains the 40G signal between two QSFP+ ports, using optical fiber and embedded active laser transceivers at each end. Use the AOC for switch-to-switch 40G stacking; use the breakout cable when you need four 10G endpoints from one 40G port.

Why choose an AOC over a passive copper DAC at the same 3-meter length?

At 3 meters both copper DAC and AOC perform reliably in terms of signal integrity. The AOC becomes the better choice when EMI is a concern, when the lighter and more flexible cable simplifies routing, or when the installation anticipates extending the same link to a longer distance in the future (AOC scales to longer runs more predictably than copper).

Does this cable require any switch configuration to operate at 40G?

No. Unlike a breakout cable which requires breakout mode to be configured per port, a QSFP+ AOC operating in standard 40G QSFP+ mode requires no special configuration. Insert it into any QSFP+ port on both switches and the link negotiates automatically.

Is this cable compatible with third-party QSFP+ switches?

The QSFP+ MSA specification is industry-standard, and this AOC will physically fit any QSFP+ port. Some vendors enforce compatibility locks via the cable's EEPROM data. AVPro Edge verifies compatibility with their own switch line; for third-party switches, verify the switch's third-party optics policy before ordering.