A brand new co-packaged optics (CPO) answer claims to set the bar for next-generation interconnects serving hyperscale knowledge facilities and synthetic intelligence (AI) workloads. Broadcom’s third-generation CPO expertise delivers 200G per lane whereas considerably enhancing thermal designs, dealing with procedures, fiber routing, and general yield.
Broadcom’s 200G co-packaged optics is engineered to handle scale points in interconnect, which regularly result in hyperlink flaps and operational disruptions. This, in flip, impacts the trade’s potential to realize the bottom value per token. The 200G CPO expertise permits scale-up domains to exceed 512 nodes whereas addressing the bandwidth, energy, and latency challenges related to the growing dimension of next-generation basis mannequin parameters.
CPO is a heterogeneous integration of optics and silicon on a single packaged substrate. Supply: Broadcom
A CPO system design integrates optical and electrical elements to maximise efficiency with lower-power optical interconnects. In line with Close to Margalit, VP and GM of the Optical Programs Division at Broadcom, the corporate’s CPO expertise is pushed by its swap ASICs, optical engine, and an ecosystem of passive optical elements, interconnects, and system options companions.
Broadcom is working intently with its ecosystem companions to optimize the mixing of CPO options. As an illustration, it has teamed up with Corning on superior fiber and connector applied sciences. It’s additionally working intently with Twinstar Applied sciences on high-density fiber cables to scale optical interconnects in next-generation knowledge middle and AI infrastructures.
Broadcom’s CPO legacy
Broadcom started its CPO journey in 2021 with the launch of the first-generation Tomahawk 4-Humboldt chipset, which included high-density built-in optical engines, edge coupling, and removable fiber connectors. Subsequent, the second-generation Tomahawk 5-Bailly chipset deployed 100G per lane. In line with Broadcom, it was the trade’s first volume-production CPO answer.
Now, after the launch of the third-generation 200G/lane CPO, Broadcom has telegraphed its dedication to growing a fourth-generation 400G/lane answer. That marks a gentle development of optical interconnect options for AI workloads driving larger bandwidth, decrease latency, and extra power-efficient optical interconnects.
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