Applied Optoelectronics Announces Sampling of 400G Silicon-Photonics Optical Module
January 22 2019 - 8:30AM
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAOI), a leading provider of
fiber-optic access network products for the internet datacenter,
cable broadband, telecom, and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) markets,
today announced customer sample availability of 400G optical
modules based on silicon-photonics technology.
The modules are designed to demonstrate the feasibility of
applying AOI’s silicon photonics platform to the requirements of
on-board optics (OBO), as outlined in specifications such as the
recently-released version 1.1 of the onboard optical module
specification published by the Consortium for Onboard Optics
(COBO), of which AOI is an active member.
In contrast to traditional pluggable optical modules, OBO
modules are designed to be used in higher-speed data switches, with
interface speeds ranging from 400 Gbps to 1.6 Tbps. By designing
the optical modules to be mated directly to a circuit board within
such a switch, the OBO modules enable an increase in the density of
optical interfaces to the switch, which in turn enables greater
data throughput through the switch fabric, while also simplifying
cooling and electrical interfaces, two areas where traditional
pluggable modules have increasing difficulty as interface speeds
increase.
AOI’s sample OBO modules are specifically designed for customers
developing next-generation switches for large datacenters, as these
switches gradually evolve from 100 Gbps interconnects to 400 Gpbs,
and higher. The modules currently leverage new silicon-based
optical technology to support 16 optical channels with a total data
throughput of 400 Gbps. Future versions of the device are expected
to leverage the same silicon-photonics technology, but increase the
bandwidth up to 100 Gbps per optical channel, ultimately enabling
1.6 Tbps of data throughput over a single OBO module. In turn, this
would enable next-generation 12.8 Tbps switches to utilize only 8
optical modules, significantly improving density and reducing power
consumption compared to a similar solution, which would require 32
400-Gbps pluggable modules.
“We gathered very positive feedback while demonstrating early
16-channel OBO prototypes at the European Conference on Optical
Communications (ECOC) in Rome last year,” commented David Chen,
AOI’s AVP of Transceiver Technology. “We are very excited to take
the next step in offering samples to our customers. This OBO module
incorporates several new technologies, including an advanced
silicon-photonics based optical sub-assembly, which are the
culmination of years of R&D effort by AOI and our technology
partners. We believe that this platform will enable solutions well
beyond 400 Gbps, and eventually, 1.6 Tbps.”
“AOI has made significant progress on the development of OBO
modules since the publication of revision 1.0 of COBO’s
specification,” stated Brad Booth, President of the Consortium for
On-Board Optics. “AOI’s ability to sample OBO modules after their
ECOC demonstration of an OBO prototype shows their commitment to
bringing alternative solutions for the next generation of
networking equipment. Having a single module footprint that
supports bandwidth scaling from 400 Gbps to 1.6 Tbps provides
flexibility to equipment vendors.”
Companies interested in discussing their requirements or
obtaining samples should contact their AOI account manager, or
contact the company directly by e-mailing Claire Szuma, AOI’s
Senior Sales Manager at sales@ao-inc.com.
About Applied Optoelectronics
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and
manufacturer of advanced optical products, including components,
modules and equipment. AOI's products are the building blocks for
broadband fiber access networks around the world, where they are
used in the internet datacenter, CATV broadband, fiber-to-the-home
and telecom markets. AOI supplies optical networking lasers,
components and equipment to tier-1 customers in all four of these
markets. In addition to its corporate headquarters, wafer fab and
advanced engineering and production facilities in Sugar Land, TX,
AOI has engineering and manufacturing facilities in Taipei, Taiwan
and Ningbo, China. For additional information, visit
www.ao-inc.com.
Media Contacts:
Willis
Chen+1-281-295-1807
wchen@ao-inc.com
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