168Gbps PAM-4 Multimode Fiber Transmission through 50m using 28GHz 850nm Multimode VCSELs

We experimentally demonstrate PAM-4 data rates beyond 160Gbps over 50m OM5 using unpackaged 850nm VCSELs. Power penalties of PAM-4 are examined demonstrating maximum data rates, with and without FEC, over 50m and 100m of fiber.