A big driver of this new product is a response to how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (AI/ML) applications are accelerating the growth of datacenter traffic in cloud networks. This creates new demands for bandwidth upgrades in data center interconnects and optical transport networks.
The 140 GBaud IC‑TROSA from Coherent offers 800 Gbps ZR/OpenZR+ transmission in data center interconnects and metro communications networks in the ultra-dense QSFP-DD and OSFP pluggable form factors. As a highly integrated coherent optics subassembly with embedded optical amplification that can deliver high transmitter output power with low power dissipation, IC‑TROSA allows DCO modules that can plug directly into routers. This solution lowers the total cost of network ownership for hyperscalers and service providers by eliminating an entire layer of transponder equipment.
This latest offering is just a series of IC-TROSA products Coherent offers. In March 2020, Coherent introduced the 64 GBaud IC-TROSA. “We continue to advance the state of the art of optical transmission in core networks by leveraging the inherent capabilities of our indium phosphide technology platform,” said Matthias Berger, VP of Coherent Technology, at Coherent Corp. “Indium phosphide photonic integrated circuits are differentiated by their high output power, which enables disruptive use cases such as IP-over-DWDM in metro networks.”
Coherent’s IC-TROSA was combined with Marvell’s Orion digital signal processor (DSP) to demonstrate the performance capabilities of a complete transceiver solution for 800 Gbps transmission.
“Marvell’s close collaboration with Coherent has enabled us to showcase the power of the combination of technologies from two leading companies,” said Samuel Liu, Sr. Director of Product Line Management, Coherent DSP at Marvell. “Together, the 140 GBaud IC-TROSA and the Orion coherent DSP enable pluggable transceivers for 800 Gbps with more than 500 km reach, allowing data center interconnects to scale network capacity quickly and economically to accommodate the surging traffic from AI/ML and other distributed, data-intensive workloads.”
The 140 GBaud IC-TROSA is a coherent optical engine with a wavelength-tunable laser, optical amplifiers, modulators, drivers, a coherent mixer, a photodiode array, and transimpedance amplifiers. It features an embedded microcontroller, DAC/ADCs, and a simple digital communication interface for all control and monitoring.
The module supports symbol rates of up to 140 GBaud and multiple modulation formats, including QPSK, 8QAM, 16QAM, 32QAM, and 64QAM. It is designed to meet the requirements of the OIF IC-TROSA Implementation Agreement (Type-2 version). Alpha samples of the 140 GBaud IC-TROSA are available now and the product will be generally available in mid-2024.
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