Co-Packaged Optics Represent a Leap Forward for AI Data Center Efficiency

Recent announcements have brought co-packaged optics back into the news. Some analysts have predicted that, while co-packaged optics deployments will happen next year, large-scale deployment won’t happen for three to five years. However, the recent announcement by NVIDIA at their GTC (GPU Technology Conference) event may accelerate that timetable.

It’s no secret that data center power consumption is on the rise thanks to accelerated computing in the age of AI. Data center operators are looking for new sources of power—and ways to cut power consumption. Co-packaged optics offer an intriguing way to reduce power demand, by moving the optics in a data center switch from the front panel to inside the switch next to the ASIC. By having the ASIC and optics next to each other, fewer digital signal processors (DSPs) and retimers are needed to maintain signal integrity, thus lowering power consumption.

A traditional 115.2 Tb/s switch would have 72 OSFP ports, with each pluggable OSFP transceiver providing 2x800 Gb/s transmission. The optical interface would most likely be two MPO8 connectors, though a single MPO16 connector would also work. If MPO8 connectors are used, there would be 144 connectors per switch. These transceivers could support singlemode or multimode fiber, depending on the customer application. An equivalent switch with co-packaged optics would have 144 MPO8 connectors on the faceplate that directly connect to the optical engines inside the switch.

A new solution takes AI data centers to a higher level

Co-packaged optics have immense implications for data center connectivity. This blog  from 2023 discusses some things to consider when adopting co-packaged optics. The Co-packaging Framework Document from OIF and this white paper from COBO (now the Advanced Photonics Coalition) are also useful resources for anyone interested in exploring this technology’s potential. It is important that switches using co-package optics use the same test points (TP2 and TP3) as pluggable modules to confirm interoperability with pluggable modules, and compatibility with the installed cable plant.

Part of the broader drive for data center efficiency

In addition to co-packaged optics, there are other new technologies meant to decrease the power consumed by data centers hosting AI networks. For example, using VCSEL-based transceivers and multimode fiber is an easy way to save power on short links. A high-speed multimode transceiver uses about 2 W less than an equivalent single mode transceiver, so AI data centers with hundreds of thousands of GPUs would save megawatts of power by using these multimode transceivers to connect their GPUs to the first layer of switching. VCSELs can also be used in co-packaged optics switches for even greater power savings.

Linear pluggable optics is another popular way to save power by eliminating some of the DSPs and retimers driving pluggable optics. Since these components consume most of the power used in a pluggable transceiver, eliminating them saves power without impacting the reach and loss budgets of the cable plant. Several multi source agreements (MSAs) are working to bring this technology to the market.

CommScope® solutions can empower efficient AI networks

The pressures of energy cost and availability for AI data centers create the optimal conditions for innovation, and CommScope is excited to be part of this transformative process. Our Propel™ fiber platform is fast, flexible, and future ready. The Propel solution provides the fiber cable and connectivity support for AI networks that use pluggable optics, as well as co-packaged optics.

It’s certainly worth watching the upcoming OFC conference in San Francisco for the likely many announcements on new technologies addressing the challenges of powering data centers, including the opportunities presented by co-packaged optics solutions and the infrastructure that supports them. CommScope will be at OFC (April 1 – 3), so to learn more about our optical infrastructure solutions, book your appointment to meet with us in Meeting Room #6455.

You can also learn more about CommScope’s Propel solution at our website.

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