Adstran and Vertilas demonstrate ultra-low power 100G PAM4 single-mode VCSEL technology at OFC 2024 - Xunshi Optical Communication Network (iccsz.com)
Abstract: Adstran and Vertilas announce the industry's first 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology with speeds up to 1.6Tbit/s. At this week's OFC, it sets a new standard for low power consumption in optical engines and modules, reducing power consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional solutions. Addressing the stringent demands of data center internal operations and AI/ML workloads, Adtran's latest products deliver unprecedented efficiencies with less than 2pJ/bit of power, including laser drivers. This significantly weakens current industry standards, including those referenced in co-packaged optics. This advancement will expand the capabilities of the Adtran MicroMux™ family of small form factor pluggable transceivers. Adtran's latest innovation addresses the growing demand for powerful, high-volume, and environmentally friendly data processing solutions, and is an important step in meeting the needs of the rapidly expanding market for generative AI applications.
ICC (Compiler: Vicki) Adstran and Vertilas announced the launch of the industry's first 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology with speeds of up to 1.6Tbit/s. At this week's OFC, it sets a new standard for low power consumption in optical engines and modules, reducing power consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional solutions. Addressing the stringent demands of data center internal operations and AI/ML workloads, Adtran's latest products deliver unprecedented efficiencies with less than 2pJ/bit of power, including laser drivers. This significantly weakens current industry standards, including those referenced in co-packaged optics. This advancement will expand the capabilities of the Adtran MicroMux™ family of small form factor pluggable transceivers. Adtran's latest innovation addresses the growing demand for powerful, high-volume, and environmentally friendly data processing solutions, which is an important step in meeting the needs of the rapidly expanding market for generative AI applications.
Ross Saunders, General Manager of Adstran Optical Engines, said: "As the importance of data volume and speed continues to grow, so does the need for increased bandwidth and improved energy efficiency. "The introduction of the market's first 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode VCSEL technology, scalable to 1.6 Tbps, exemplifies our proactive approach to addressing these emerging needs." By pushing the limits of speed and dramatically reducing power consumption, we are setting the benchmark for the future. Our new technologies are expected to dramatically improve the efficiency of data center connectivity and AI applications, combining high performance with long-term sustainability. As we prepare for the leap to 800Gbit/s and 1.6Tbit/s applications, we are strengthening the foundation of the global ecosystem of efficient, high-capacity data. ”
Building on the success of Adtran's MicroMux® series, the new VCSEL technology utilizes a short-cavity single-mode design and is based on indium phosphide semiconductor materials. This allows it to operate on O-band and C-band wavelengths, transmitting 100Gbit/s per channel. By stacking multiple single-mode lasers into an array, this approach achieves throughput of 800 Gbit/s and 1.6 Tbit/s, ensuring superior performance while significantly reducing power consumption and cost. This enhanced energy efficiency provides a major advantage for IP routers and Ethernet switch panel density. What's more, its versatility extends to support a wide range of applications from DR4/8/16 to a variety of FR4 links within the optical engine, while maintaining power consumption below 200mW per channel.
Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran, said: "With the proliferation of applications such as generative AI and enterprises expanding their AI clusters, the need for advanced optical interconnects capable of supporting terabit connectivity has reached a critical juncture. Our 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode VCSEL technology addresses this challenge head-on. It improves energy efficiency and the ability to deploy at high densities while addressing manufacturing, testing, and assembly costs. The technology supports throughput of up to 800 Gbit/s and 1.6 Tbit/s, enhancing network capabilities while significantly reducing operational costs. Our approach underscores our commitment to delivering sustainable, high-capacity networking solutions that break through existing barriers and prepare for the next wave of AI infrastructure development. ”
Information on a demo of Adtran's new VCSEL technology is available at this week's OFC.
