A group of networking, semiconductor, and optics companies have formed the LPO MSA (Linear Pluggable Optics Multi-Source Agreement) to develop the specifications for networking equipment and optical modules required to enable a broad ecosystem of interoperable LPO solutions.
These specifications target the industry-wide challenge of reducing the power, cost, and latency while improving the reliability of high-speed optical interconnects.
Accelink, AMD, Arista, Broadcom, Cisco, Eoptolink, Hisense, Innolight, Intel, MACOM, NVIDIA, and Semtech are the founding members of the LPO MSA.
The MSA's initial target is an optimized optical interconnect with LPO modules on both ends of the link. The LPO MSA specifications will define the electrical and optical requirements to ensure interoperability between networking equipment and optics module vendors.
“There is an urgent need to reduce the network power consumption for AI and other high-performance applications,” said Mark Nowell, LPO MSA Chair. “LPO materially reduces power consumption both for the module and the system while maintaining a pluggable interface, providing the economics and flexibility customers need for high-volume deployments.”
For related articles, visit the Optical Tech Topic Center.
For more information on optical components and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
To stay abreast of optical communications technology, subscribe to Lightwave’s Enabling Technologies Newsletter.