Broadcom unveils BCM87106 7-nm PAM4 PHY for single-lambda 100G

Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) earlier this month introduced the BCM87106 7-nm 100G PAM4 PHY. The device leverages Broadcom’s 7-nm Centenario 112G PAM4 technology for applications based on single-lambda 100G approaches, such as 100G DR, 100G FR, 400G DR4, and 400G FR4 optical transceivers.

The company asserts that use of a 7-nm CMOS approach enables the BCM87106 to offer increased performance margin and flexibility while reducing power – enabling more than 30% power savings compared to 16-nm PHYs, says Broadcom. Features of the BCM87106 include:

• DSP performance and power efficiency that enables DR/FR/LR/DR4/FR4/LR4 optical modules, including QSFP-DD/OSFP/QSFP28, to meet IEEE and MSA specifications
• Client-side interoperability with Broadcom switch ASICs and ASSPs via 28-Gbaud PAM4 and NRZ SerDes architecture, with the ability to support 100GbE via either 4x25G NRZ or 2x50G PAM4 physical lanes
• PAM-4 client-side interface compliance to the CEI-28G/56G medium reach (MR) specification
• 802.3bs standard-compliant KP4, KR4, and end-to-end FEC bypass operation to support DR4-DR1 break-out and longer distance links
• API based PHY firmware with compatibility for both BCM87400 and BCM87106 for faster time to market.

Broadcom complements the BCM87106 with a range of optical and PMD devices. The III-V devices include EMLs (283Q), EMLs on carrier (729Q), and PIN photodetectors (118K35) for 100G and 400G long-reach applications. The PMDs include linear laser drivers (AFSI-N91C4L1/2) and TIAs (AFSI-R91C4L, AFSI-R94C4L) for 100G and 400G applications.

All of the devices, including the BCM87106, are shipping.

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