Application Notes

MSA SFP/SFP+, non-MSA SFP/SFP+, emSFP/emSFP+ Generic host pin out

Generic host connector for MSA and non-MSA SFP/SFP+

1- Overview This application note provides a guideline to implement a ‘generic’ pin assignment (pin outs) to support the MSA (Datacom) SFP / MSA (Datacom) SFP+ and non-MSA (Video) SFP and emSFP/emSFP+. This application note focuses on the MSA (Datacom) transceiver and non-MSA (Video) pin outs of the dual receiver, dual transmitter, single receiver, single transmitter and transceiver. When equipment is built by a manufacturer and is intended to interwork with different types of SFPs from different manufacturers the use of an industry standard is critical. To properly inter-operate, the host board and the SFP must support the same electrical levels, mechanical dimensions of the SFP/SFP+ and most importantly, the connector’s pin outs should not create any contention or malfunction. Because the non-MSA (Video) pin outs aren’t standardized, manufacturer should take more precaution before using non-MSA (Video) SFP in a system. MSA (Datacom) pin out is standardized with INF-8074i and SFF-8431for SFP+. In addition to the Embrionix connector pin outs, this application notes also provides a short list of compatible SFPs, contentions solutions and a ‘generic’ one-pin-out-fits-all to help manufacturers use any type of non-MSA (Video) SFP and MSA SFP in the same system.	enlarge image
2- Pins definition The following table defines the pin type, pin function. For a complete description of the pins please refer to any Embrionix non-MSA (Video) SFP datasheet and MSA (Datacom) SFP datasheet.
3- Transceiver non-MSA connection with host The Figure 1 represents the connection between the host (product) with a non-MSA transceiver SFP available from Embrionix as implemented for professional video solutions.	enlarge image
4- Transceiver MSA connection with host The Figure 2 represents the connection between the host (product) with a MSA transceiver SFP available from Embrionix and MSA SFP vendor.	enlarge image
5- Dual receiver connection with host The Figure 3 represents the connection between the host (product) and a dual receiver non-MSA SFP, emSFP available from Embrionix as implemented for professional video solutions.	enlarge image
6- Dual transmitter connection with host The Figure 4 represents the connection between the host (product) and a dual transmitter non-MSA SFP, emSFP available from Embrionix as implemented for professional video solutions.	enlarge image
7- Single receiver connection with host The Figure 5 represents the connection between the host (product) and a single transmitter non-MSA SFP, emSFP available from Embrionix as implemented for professional video solutions.. MSA pin out is also available, please refer to Figure 2. MSA (Datacom) SFP transceiver connection with Host to connect adequately the MSA single transmitter.	enlarge image
8- Single transmitter connection with host The Figure 6 represents the connection between the host (product) and a single transmitter non-MSA SFP, emSFP available from Embrionix as implemented for professional video solutions. MSA pin out is also available, please refer to Figure 2. MSA (Datacom) SFP transceiver connection with Host to adequately connect the MSA single transmitter.	enlarge image
9- Generic pin outs As stated earlier, the ‘generic’ connector should inter-operate with the non-MSA (Video) transceiver, dual receiver, dual transmitter, single receiver and single transmitter SFP, emSFP and MSA (Datacom) SFP, without affecting the performance of the system, without contention or short circuit. The following figure shows a potential interconnection for the ‘generic’ connector. The next sections will explain various solutions to solve the contention problem. By using those solutions, the manufacturer will be able to use the ‘generic’ connector and will greatly simply the board design.	enlarge image
10- Pin#2 problem description For MSA (Datacom) SFP, the pin 2 represents a TX_FAULT. This pin will be at a 3.3V level when a fault occurs on the Laser, as explain in the MSA SFP document: TX Fault is an open collector/drain output, which should be pulled up with a 4.7K – 10KΩ resistor on the host board. Pull up voltage between 2.0V and VccT, R+0.3V. When high, output indicates a laser fault of some kind. Low indicates normal operation. In the low state, the output will be pulled to < 0.8V. The same pin2 in a dual receivers is the differential pair negative input. The high speed deserializer could have two problems with the 3.3V signal. First problem, the pin 2 could create an excessive current consumption if the input CML (or LVPECL, LVDS ) contains termination (in IC or onboard). The following picture shows the CML input current to ground. Second problem, the pin 2 on the receiving device may be powered up with a different voltage than 3.3V. High speed serializer and deserializer (serdes) contain in semiconductor could be supplied with a 1.2V, 1.8V, 2.5V, in this case, the 3.3V can damage the serdes. A normal SFP module should be open drain so there will not be any problem with this connection, but the pull up resistor on the host board, will connect the 3.3V to the serdes IO.	enlarge image
11- Pin#2 solution The easiest solution is to add AC-coupling capacitor (recommended value 4.7uF) between the SFP connector and the IC, but the pull up should be placed on the SFP side. The pin 3 should also have an AC-coupling capacitor, ideally located at the same place between the SFP connector and the IC, to ensure that the trace has the same discontinuity (pin#3 problem will be addressed in the following section). Finally, an RF choke (1K ohm resistor) should be placed on the signal as close as possible to the SFP connector. This ensures that no high frequency stub will be seen by the receiving device. The differential pairs for SFP+, emSFP+ should be carefully designed to pass the return loss specification of the host and more importantly the signal should be as good as possible to allow the serdes to recover the signal.	enlarge image
12- Pin#3 problem description For MSA (Datacom) SFP, the pin 2 represents a TX_DIS. This pin will be at a 3.3V level when the host disables the laser, as explained in the MSA SFP document: TX disable is an input that is used to shut down the transmitter optical output. It is pulled up within the module with a 4.7 – 10 KΩ resistor. Its states are: Low (0 – 0.8V): Transmitter on (>0.8, < 2.0V): Undefined High (2.0 – 3.465V) : Transmitter Disabled Transmitter Disabled Open: Transmitter Disabled The pin3 in a dual receivers is the differential pairs positive input. The high speed deserializer could have two problems with the 3.3V signal like the pin 2.
13- Pin#3 solution The easiest solution is to follow the same recommendation as for the pin#2.
14- Pin#4 &6 problem description The MSA MOD_DEF(2) is the I2C SDA communication line, the equivalent IO for a non-MSA module is the pin 6. When the protocol IC communicates, it sends the clock and the data on those pins to retrieve data and control the SFP, emSFP, SFP+ and emSFP+. The following table shows the pin out of the MSA (Datacom) SFP and the non-MSA (video) SFP.
15- Pin#4 &6 solution To ease the design of the protocol IC, multiple solutions can be provided. The simplest solution is to use an I2C multiplexer to communicate with pin 4 first, look for a response and communicate with pin 6 if no acknowledge is received from the SFP, emSFP, SFP+ or emSFP+. If a programmable device such as an FPGA is used, the 2 IOs can be connected to a 3.3V compliant pin and the following algorithm should work well.	enlarge image
16- Pin#8 problem description The pin 8 problem is similar to pin 2 and 3 problems. The pin should be connected to the semiconductor high speed output pin (CML, LVPECL, LVDS, etc…) in the case of the dual transmitters and to a logic level (LVCMOS, LVTTL) in the case of a dual receivers. The RX1_LOS could be obtained by the I2C interface in the Embrionix dual receivers SFP, the pin RX1_LOS is identical to the register 110 bit 1. The RX1_LOS as defined in the SFP multi source agreement is open drain and the pull-up resistor should be placed on the host.
17- Pin#9 problem description The pin 9 should be AC coupled to keep the Tx2 pair balanced. The pin should be connected to the semiconductor high speed output pin (CML, LVPECL, LVDS, etc…) in the case of the dual transmitters and to a ground VEE in the case of a MSA transceiver.
18- Pin#9 Solution Again, the easiest solution is to add AC-coupling capacitor (recommended value 4.7uF) between the SFP connector and the IC to keep the pair balanced.
19- Pin#10 problem description The pin 10 is a ground VEE for the MSA transceiver and the Tx2_DIS for the non-MSA.
20- Pin#10 Solution By detecting the type of SFP, MSA (Datacom) or non-MSA (video), the protocol IC should not drive this pin to a high level. If the host follows the multisource agreement this IO is open drain on the host and the host can only drive a low level. The low level should be equivalent to the VEE of the MSA SFP. This will prevent any problem on this IO. No special care required on pin 10.
21- Final generic pin outs The following schematic represents the generic pin out to inter-operate with the dual transmitters, dual receivers and Non-MSA (Video) transceiver.	enlarge image

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About Embrionix

Embrionix, a subsidiary of Riedel Communications, designs and builds innovative, advanced SMPTE video SFPs to close the gap between fiber optic deployments, coaxial deployments, legacy composite deployments, and emerging technologies, such SDI to IP SFPs. By leveraging its core competencies in video broadcast, the company OEMs highly flexible SFP modules (emSFP) to major manufacturers in the industry. Embrionix headquarters are based in Laval, Quebec. Embrionix sales offices, representatives, and distribution offices are located in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan.

About Riedel Communications 

Riedel Communications designs, manufactures, and distributes pioneering real-time video, audio, data, and communications networks for broadcast, pro audio, event, sports, theater, and security applications. The company also provides rental services for radio and intercom systems, event IT solutions, fiber backbones, and wireless signal transmission systems that scale easily for events of any size, anywhere in the world. Riedel is headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany, and employs over 700 people in 25 locations throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas.

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