In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications are experiencing exponential growth, the imperative for enhanced bandwidth and superior energy efficiency in data center operations has become paramount. In a significant development, Adtran in collaboration with Vertilas has announced the introduction of the industry’s inaugural 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology which is capable of achieving scalability up to 1.6Tbit/s.

This technological advancement is not merely an increment in data transmission speeds, it represents a substantial leap forward in reducing power consumption for optical engines and modules. Adtran’s VCSEL technology facilitates up to an 80% reduction in power on transmit optics, achieving an efficiency of less than 2pJ/bit inclusive of the laser driver. This efficiency substantially exceeds the prevailing benchmarks within the industry, offering a solution that addresses the urgent need for energy-efficient data processing in an environmentally conscious manner.

Mr. Ross Saunders, General Manager of Optical Engines at Adtran articulates the significance of this breakthrough: “The launch of the market’s first 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode VCSEL technology, with scalability up to 1.6Tbit/s, exemplifies our proactive stance in addressing the emerging demands of the industry. By advancing the limits of speed while concurrently reducing power consumption, we are establishing the benchmarks of the future.”

Towards Sustainable High-Capacity Data Infrastructure

Adtran aims to augment the capabilities of its MicroMux™ family of small-form-factor pluggable transceivers with this new VCSEL technology, facilitating support for data-intensive computational clusters that are critical for AI and ML workloads. Utilizing a short-cavity single-mode design predicated on indium phosphide semiconductor material, the technology is adept at operating across O-band and C-band wavelengths, delivering 100Gbit/s per channel. This methodology allows for the aggregation of multiple single-mode lasers into arrays, thus achieving throughput of 800Gbit/s and 1.6Tbit/s.

Beyond performance enhancement, this technology offers significant benefits in energy efficiency, which is advantageous for improving the density of IP routers and Ethernet switches. Its adaptability extends to a broad spectrum of applications, from DR4/8/16 to various FR4 links within optical engines, all while maintaining power consumption below 200mW per lane.

Mr. Christoph Glingener, Chief Technology Officer of Adtran, remarked on the critical nature of this development for the future of AI infrastructure, stating, “With the proliferation of applications such as generative AI and the expansion of enterprise AI clusters, the necessity for advanced optical interconnects capable of supporting Terabit connectivity has become pressing.” He further highlighted that this technology not only facilitates energy efficiency and the potential for higher-density deployments but also mitigates manufacturing, testing, and assembly costs, thereby significantly reducing operational expenses while enhancing network capabilities.

As the demand for AI/ML applications continues to escalate, Adtran and Vertilas’s announcement emerges as a timely response to the challenges associated with bandwidth and energy efficiency in intra-data center connectivity. The unveiling of this new VCSEL technology at this week’s OFC event marks a crucial milestone in the journey towards more sustainable and efficient data processing solutions.