March 24, 2012 – TE Connectivity offers the zQSFP+ (z-Quad small form-factor Pluggable Plus) connector and cage assembly—a high-density, high-speed solution designed for the telecom, data centre and networking markets. This interconnect will meet next-generation 100-Gbps ethernet (100 GbE) and 100-Gbps 4X InfiniBand enhanced data rate (EDR) requirements, says TE, by offering four lanes of high-speed differential signals, with data rates ranging from 25 Gbps up to, potentially, 40 Gbps. The zQSFP+ interconnect is backward-compatible with current QSFP+ optical modules and cable assemblies. Designed with an enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) cage, the connector helps provide thermal performance, and promises signal integrity and “superior mechanical and electrical performance”. Product offerings include 1×1 single-port and 1×3 ganged cages with heat sink and light pipe options.