Oculink Cable. Compact, efficient, and purpose-built for PCIe and SAS connections, Oculink Cable assemblies are reshaping connectivity in enterprise IT, edge computing, and storage systems.
Whether you're a system integrator, data center designer, or hardware OEM, understanding the power and potential of the Oculink Cable is essential to building next-generation infrastructure.
What Is an Oculink Cable?
An Oculink Cable is a high-speed data transmission cable designed primarily for internal and external connectivity in PCI Express (PCIe) and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) environments. Defined under the SFF-8611 and SFF-8612 standards, Oculink provides a compact alternative to bulky traditional PCIe cabling while supporting up to four PCIe lanes at Gen 3, Gen 4, and even Gen 5 speeds.
At OIKWAN, we manufacture reliable, high-performance Oculink Cable solutions that meet the rigorous demands of today’s data-centric applications — from NVMe backplanes to GPU enclosures.
Key Features of OIKWAN Oculink Cable
OIKWAN's Oculink Cable assemblies stand out for their superior electrical performance, robust design, and customization flexibility. Our key product features include:
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PCIe Gen 3 / 4 / 5 Compatibility: Supports up to 64 GT/s (for Gen 5) with excellent signal integrity.
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Compact Form Factor: SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 connectors allow high-density layouts in limited space.
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Multi-Lane Support: Typically supports x4 PCIe or SAS lanes.
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Low Insertion Loss: Advanced twinaxial cable reduces signal degradation over longer distances.
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Internal and External Use: Available in straight or right-angle plug orientations with multiple connector options.
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High EMI Shielding: Ensures signal protection in high-noise environments such as data centers or industrial systems.
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RoHS, CE, UL Certified: Globally compliant with safety and environmental regulations.
Why Choose Oculink Cable for PCIe & SAS?
When compared to other connectivity solutions like SlimSAS or MCIO, Oculink Cable assemblies provide a balance between performance, form factor, and cost-efficiency. Here’s what makes them a popular choice:
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Ideal for Compact Devices: The small connector size allows for more connections on the same board.
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Supports High-Speed Interfaces: Designed for NVMe, PCIe SSDs, and RAID storage systems.
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Cost-Effective: Offers similar bandwidth to MCIO at lower overall cost for mid-range applications.
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Flexible Cable Lengths: From 200mm to 800mm to suit various system requirements.
Oculink Cable in Real-World Applications
Oculink is not just another cable — it’s a strategic interconnect used in systems where performance meets practicality. Common use cases include:
1. NVMe Storage Expansion
Oculink is widely used to connect U.2 and U.3 NVMe SSDs to host systems or HBAs, enabling hot-swappable high-speed storage arrays.
2. External PCIe GPU Enclosures
For high-performance computing, Oculink Cable is ideal for linking external GPUs or FPGA cards to mini-ITX or embedded motherboards with PCIe breakout ports.
3. Server Backplanes
In cloud and enterprise servers, Oculink provides efficient connections from CPU/SoC to backplanes that control multiple NVMe drives.
4. Industrial Automation
Oculink’s EMI-resistant design makes it suitable for data-heavy industrial applications that require robust signal transmission with minimal interference.
5. Edge Computing
Edge devices benefit from the compact and high-speed nature of Oculink Cable, ensuring low-latency data transmission at the edge.
Technical Specifications of OIKWAN Oculink Cable
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interface Standard | SFF-8611 / SFF-8612 |
| Supported Protocols | PCIe Gen 3, Gen 4, Gen 5 / SATA / SAS |
| Lane Count | x4 PCIe or 4-channel SAS |
| Connector Types | Straight, right-angle, latch or unlatch |
| Cable Length | 200mm ~ 800mm (customizable) |
| Jacket Material | PVC or LSZH flame-retardant options |
| Signal Integrity | Optimized for <5% signal loss at 32GT/s |
We also support custom overmolding, EMI rings, and strain reliefs for industrial-grade use.
How to Choose the Right Oculink Cable
When choosing an Oculink Cable, consider the following:
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Protocol Compatibility: Make sure the cable supports your system’s PCIe/SAS version.
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Connector Orientation: Choose between straight and right-angle connectors based on system layout.
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Length Requirements: Stay within optimal range for your transmission speed (e.g., <500mm for Gen 5).
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EMI Environment: Use shielded cables for industrial or high-frequency environments.
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Application Type: Is your use case internal (e.g., backplane) or external (e.g., GPU expansion)?
Need guidance? Our engineers at OIKWAN are available for technical support and custom design consulting.
Why Choose OIKWAN for Your Oculink Cable Needs?
With decades of experience in high-speed interconnect manufacturing, OIKWAN is a trusted supplier for global data infrastructure providers. Here’s why our customers rely on us:
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Vertical Integration: From cable extrusion to assembly, all under one roof.
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Global Standards Compliance: CE, UL, RoHS, ISO-certified facilities.
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Fast Turnaround: Samples within 7 days, mass production in 2~3 weeks.
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Customized Solutions: Tailored Oculink assemblies for OEM projects.
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Expert Support: Engineering consultation available from prototype to scale-up.
Future of Oculink Cable in PCIe 6.0 and Beyond
As the industry looks toward PCIe Gen6 (64GT/s) and PCIe Gen7, Oculink Cable designs are evolving to meet these new standards. OIKWAN is actively investing in:
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Next-Gen Twinax Materials: To reduce insertion loss and crosstalk.
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Advanced Shielding: For extreme EMI suppression.
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High-Density Miniaturized Connectors: For future form factors in AI and edge computing.
We’re committed to keeping OIKWAN customers ahead of the curve in high-speed data connectivity.
How to Order OIKWAN Oculink Cable
To explore standard models or customize your own Oculink Cable, visit our product page at or contact our sales and engineering team for immediate assistance. We ship globally and offer full OEM and ODM services.
Conclusion
The Oculink Cable is a compact yet powerful solution for high-speed data applications. As PCIe and NVMe interfaces become standard across industries, having the right interconnect is vital. OIKWAN’s Oculink Cable assemblies offer speed, precision, and reliability — backed by engineering excellence and global compliance.
If you're building next-gen systems, make the smart connection with OIKWAN Oculink Cable