NVIDIA MFA1A00-C050 100Gb/s QSFP28 Active Optical Cable 50m – 100GbE / InfiniBand EDR MMF AOC

The NVIDIA MFA1A00-C050 is a 50-meter QSFP28 VCSEL-based active optical cable engineered for 100Gb/s Ethernet and InfiniBand EDR links. It delivers four lanes of up to 26Gb/s per lane over multimode fiber, featuring selectable retiming, programmable equalization, and SFF-8636 digital diagnostic monitoring. This hot-pluggable AOC is designed for high-density data center interconnects where passive copper cannot reach.

The NVIDIA MFA1A00-C050 belongs to the MFA1A00 series of QSFP28 active optical cables, purpose-built for high-density 100Gb/s data center interconnects. Each end contains four multimode fiber optic transceivers operating at up to 26Gb/s per lane, delivering an aggregate data rate of up to 100Gb/s.

The cable is hot pluggable, uses a single 3.3V power supply, and complies with the SFF-8665 QSFP28 form factor and the SFF-8636 I²C management interface. It supports programmable transmit input equalization, programmable receive output amplitude and pre-emphasis, and selectable retiming per lane. With a typical power dissipation of 2.2W per end with retiming, it offers a power-efficient alternative to discrete optics plus patch cords in 100Gb/s Ethernet and InfiniBand EDR deployments.

The MFA1A00-C050 is a 50-meter variant in the MFA1A00-C series for 100Gb/s Ethernet. It is RoHS compliant and classified as a Class I laser product under IEC 60825-1, IEC 60825-2, and 21 CFR 1040 (CDRH).

• Up to 100Gb/s aggregate data rate over four lanes
• Four multimode fiber optic transceivers per end, up to 26Gb/s per lane
• Selectable retiming per lane
• Programmable Tx input equalizer and input squelch
• Programmable Rx output amplitude and pre-emphasis
• SFF-8665 compliant QSFP28 port
• SFF-8636 compliant I²C management interface
• Single 3.3V power supply
• Typical power dissipation 2.2W per end with retiming on all lanes
• Up to 100m reach in the MFA1A00 series; 50m in this part number
• Hot pluggable
• RoHS compliant

The MFA1A00-C050 uses VCSEL-based multimode fiber optics. VCSEL technology is widely deployed in short-reach data center links because it supports high lane rates with low power consumption. The cable carries four independent lanes, each operating at up to 26Gb/s, and aggregates them into a 100Gb/s QSFP28 interface on the host side.

Retiming can be enabled or disabled per lane. With retiming enabled, the cable supports 25–26Gb/s rates with clean signal regeneration. Lower bit rates are also supported without retiming. The transmitters include programmable input equalizers and input squelch, while the receivers offer programmable output amplitude and pre-emphasis. These controls help compensate for host board channel loss and improve signal integrity at TP1a and TP4.

Digital diagnostic monitoring is implemented in firmware version 32.20.124 and higher according to SFF-8636. It provides real-time readouts and warning/alarm thresholds for temperature, supply voltage, laser bias current, transmitted optical power, and received optical power. Interrupt indications cover Tx and Rx LOS, Tx and Rx LOL, and Tx fault.

• 100Gb/s Ethernet switch-to-switch and switch-to-server links
• InfiniBand EDR spine-leaf and storage fabrics
• Data center top-of-rack and middle-of-row connections up to 50m
• High-density 100Gb/s ports where passive copper reach is insufficient
• AI, HPC, and storage clusters requiring low-latency 100Gb/s interconnect

The MFA1A00-C050 is designed for systems with SFF-8665 compliant QSFP28 ports. It is intended for 100Gb/s Ethernet and InfiniBand EDR applications. For tested configurations, NVIDIA refers customers to the system level product quality assurance (SLPQA) report. Host board power supply filtering should follow the SFF Committee specification recommendations.

Because compatibility can vary by switch, NIC, and firmware version, please confirm the exact host platform and port configuration before ordering.

Implemented in firmware version 32.20.124 and higher according to SFF-8636. Monitored parameters include temperature, supply voltage, laser bias current, transmitted optical power, and received optical power, each with warning and alarm thresholds.

• Longer reach than passive copper: Up to 50m in this part number, with the MFA1A00 series supporting up to 100m.
• High port density: QSFP28 form factor enables 100Gb/s per port in a compact footprint.
• Power efficient: Typical 2.2W per end with retiming, helping reduce data center power and cooling load.
• Flexible link tuning: Programmable Tx equalization and Rx amplitude/pre-emphasis support a range of host channel conditions.
• Operational visibility: SFF-8636 DDM provides real-time monitoring and fault indications.
• Easy installation: Hot pluggable design simplifies deployment and replacement.
• Structured cabling simplification: An integrated AOC reduces the number of discrete optical components and connector interfaces compared with separate transceivers and patch cords.

Starsurge Group provides pre-sales configuration support, compatibility checks, and post-sales technical assistance for NVIDIA networking products. Our team can help confirm whether the MFA1A00-C050 is suitable for your switch, NIC, or fabric design, and can advise on alternative lengths or part numbers when needed.

For tested configurations, please refer to the system level product quality assurance (SLPQA) report. For documentation, please contact your sales representative or the support team.

• Do not exceed the absolute maximum specifications. Prolonged operation between operational and absolute maximum ratings may cause permanent device degradation.
• Use a single 3.3V power supply within the specified operating range.
• Follow the host board power supply filtering recommendations in the SFF Committee specification.
• Observe the minimum bend radius of 30mm to avoid damaging the fiber.
• The laser module is classified as Class I according to IEC 60825-1, IEC 60825-2, and 21 CFR 1040 (CDRH).
• Confirm compatibility with your host platform before ordering.
• Store within the specified storage temperature range of -40°C to 85°C.

• Confirm the host port is QSFP28 and supports 100Gb/s Ethernet or InfiniBand EDR.
• Confirm the required cable length. This part number is 50m.
• Confirm whether retiming is required for your link rate and channel.
• Check power budget: typical 2.2W per end with retiming on all lanes.
• Verify operating case temperature range: 0°C to 70°C.
• Confirm DDM is supported by your management stack if monitoring is required.
• Verify that the host board power supply filtering meets SFF Committee recommendations.
• Request the latest SLPQA report for tested configurations.

• MFA1A00-C003 — 100Gb/s Ethernet QSFP28 AOC, 3m
• MFA1A00-C005 — 100Gb/s Ethernet QSFP28 AOC, 5m
• MFA1A00-C010 — 100Gb/s Ethernet QSFP28 AOC, 10m
• MFA1A00-C030 — 100Gb/s Ethernet QSFP28 AOC, 30m
• MFA1A00-C100 — 100Gb/s Ethernet QSFP28 AOC, 100m

• LinkX Memory Map Application Note (MLNX-15-5926)
• System level product quality assurance (SLPQA) report for AOC configurations
• SFF-8665 and SFF-8636 specifications
• IEEE 802.3bm 83E.3.1.2 and equation (83E-5) reference clauses

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