---
title: "IEEE 802.3 Transceiver Standards Reference: Reading the Spec"
slug: "ieee-802.3-standards-transceiver-reference"
type: guide
category: "Standards & Compatibility"
tags: [IEEE-802.3, 400GbE, 802.3bs, 802.3cd, PMD, transceiver-standards, Ethernet-standards]
seo_focus_keyword: "IEEE 802.3 transceiver standards"
---

The IEEE 802.3 standard is a vast document — over 5,000 pages in current editions — and the portions relevant to transceiver selection and compatibility are spread across dozens of clauses. Knowing how to navigate it, and specifically what the clause numbers mean for practical optic selection, saves significant time when you're trying to determine whether a specific module actually conforms to the application it's labeled for.

## How the Standard Is Organized

IEEE 802.3 is divided into clauses, each addressing a specific topic area. The relevant structure for transceiver engineers:

Clauses 1–39 cover the foundational MAC layer, CSMA/CD (largely historical), and lower-speed interface definitions. For 1GbE transceivers, Clause 38 (1000BASE-X) and Clause 40 (10GBASE-R) are the relevant sections, though 1G fiber is now managed under 1000BASE-LX, -SX etc. in Clause 38.

Clause 52 covers 10GBASE-X. Clause 54 covers 10GBASE-W (WAN PHY). Clause 55 is 10GBASE-R (LAN PHY). Clause 57 is the 10GBASE-LRM specification for extended multimode reach.

For 40G: Clause 86 covers 40GBASE-R (the common prefix), with subclauses for specific PMDs. 40GBASE-SR4 is Clause 86.7. 40GBASE-LR4 is Clause 87.

For 100G: Clause 91 (100GBASE-R), Clause 95 (100GBASE-CR4), Clause 86 again for some variants. 100GBASE-SR4 is in Clause 95. 100GBASE-LR4 is in Clause 88. 100GBASE-ER4 is also Clause 88 range.

The important 400G clauses: 802.3bs (Clause 120–121) covers 400GBASE-DR4, -FR8, -LR8. 802.3cd (Clause 136–138) covers 50GBASE-R, 100GBASE-R, and 200GBASE-R PMDs including 400GBASE-DR4+ extensions. 802.3ck (Clause 162) covers 100GBASE-CR1, KR1, and the 400G variants that use 100G per lane SerDes.

## How to Read a PMD Specification

Within each clause, the Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) specification defines the transceiver's optical characteristics. Learning to read one of these sections directly answers questions that vendor datasheets often leave ambiguous.

The PMD spec covers, in order: the normative scope (what the clause applies to), the functional description, the optical specifications in a table, and the test procedures.

The optical specifications table is the most useful part for transceiver selection. It typically lists:

**Operating wavelength range**: for a single-mode DFB-based transceiver, this is a narrow range like 1295–1310 nm per lane for LR4. For a VCSEL-based multimode transceiver, it's wider: 840–860 nm for SR4.

**Transmitter characteristics**: minimum and maximum launch power (in dBm), minimum extinction ratio (in dB), maximum transmitter and dispersion penalty (TDP), and eye mask definition.

**Receiver characteristics**: minimum receive sensitivity (dBm, typically at BER = 1×10^-12 pre-FEC or 2.4×10^-4 pre-FEC depending on whether the spec uses FEC), maximum input power (the saturation point), and maximum stressed receiver sensitivity.

**Channel insertion loss budget**: the maximum total loss between the transmitter and receiver, which defines the reach when combined with the fiber attenuation per km and connector budget.

The extinction ratio specification is worth understanding explicitly. Extinction ratio is the ratio of optical power representing a "1" to optical power representing a "0," expressed in dB. Higher extinction ratio means the laser turns off more completely for a "0," which improves receiver sensitivity. The IEEE specs set a minimum extinction ratio — typically 3 dB for NRZ and 3 dB per eye level for PAM4. Transceivers running below minimum extinction ratio will show higher BER even with adequate received power.

## Why 802.3bs and 802.3cd Matter

Both of these amendments addressed 400G, but from different architectural angles, and the press coverage at the time underrepresented how significant the underlying differences were.

802.3bs (approved December 2017) defined 400GbE using 8 optical lanes, each carrying 50G. The PMDs defined: 400GBASE-SR8 (8 lanes over OM4 multimode, 100 m), 400GBASE-DR4 (4 lanes single-mode, 500 m, using 100G per lane via 2x50G PAM4), 400GBASE-FR8 (8 lanes single-mode to 2 km), and 400GBASE-LR8 (8 lanes single-mode to 10 km). The 8-lane approach was chosen to match the first-generation 400G ASIC SerDes at 56G PAM4, with two SerDes lanes merged optically for the DR4 variant.

802.3cd (approved December 2018) defined 50GBASE-R, 100GBASE-R, and 200GBASE-R using 1, 2, and 4 optical lanes respectively. This amendment introduced the single-lane 100G interface (100GBASE-DR, 100GBASE-KR, 100GBASE-CR) that became the building block for 400G using 4 lanes at 100G each. 400GBASE-DR4 using Clause 136 is the 400G interface that maps cleanly to 4x100G ASIC SerDes — which became standard in Tomahawk 4 and subsequent silicon.

The practical implication of this two-clause architecture: "400G DR4" technically refers to the Clause 120/121 variant (802.3bs) running 4x100G, and it's one of the most important and widely-deployed 400G interface types. Verifying that a specific transceiver conforms to the correct clause — especially when ordering from vendors whose datasheets say "400GBASE-DR4 compliant" without specifying which version — matters for interoperability with specific ASIC implementations.

## Where to Find the Actual Specifications

IEEE 802.3 is a paid standard — the current edition costs $435 from IEEE. However:

IEEE makes draft versions of amendments available for free during the balloting period, and some amendments remain freely accessible after approval. Search the IEEE Get standard page for specific amendment numbers.

The SFF Committee (now part of the SNIA) publishes companion technical specifications (SFF-8024, SFF-8436, CMIS) that reference IEEE 802.3 clauses and add implementation detail for module manufacturers. These are freely downloadable from snia.org.

The MSAs (Multi-Source Agreements) for specific form factors — QSFP-DD MSA, OSFP MSA, SFP-DD MSA — incorporate the relevant IEEE 802.3 PMD requirements by reference and add mechanical and electrical interface specifications. These are also freely available from the respective MSA websites.

For most practical transceiver selection questions, the combination of the IEEE 802.3 PMD table (for optical specs), the SFF specification (for EEPROM fields), and the MSA (for form factor details) covers everything you need. The full 5,000-page standard is useful for deep interoperability questions and for understanding the test procedures used in compliance qualification.

The IEEE 802.3 standard is not reading-for-pleasure material, but knowing the clause structure and what each table contains transforms it from an intimidating wall of text into a reference tool that directly answers questions about whether a transceiver will work in your application.
