OIF 800ZR Interoperability Study Results

This white paper presents the methodology and findings from an interoperability study of 800ZR transceivers conducted during the OFC 2025 plugfest. The study involved eight different transceivers connected in a matrix of transmitter-to-receiver combinations, utilizing a noise-loaded link to evaluate interoperability penalties among various suppliers. The performance of individual transceivers was assessed using traffic configurations of 1x800GE, 2x400GE, and 8x100GE over a shortened optical line system link with a DWDM 150 GHz fixed channel grid. The paper outlines the test setups, which included a combination of optical network equipment from multiple vendors, and details the testing procedures employed to ensure accurate performance measurements. The results document the performance metrics and provide insights into the interoperability of 800ZR modules, contributing to the ongoing efforts in standardizing coherent optics at the physical layer. The findings aim to support network operators in understanding the 800ZR application and its implications for optical network ecosystems.