Adtran teamed up with Vertilas to develop a 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with capabilities up to 1.6Tbit/s.
The new VCSEL technology leverages a short-cavity single-mode design and is based on indium phosphide semiconductor material. This enables it to operate across both O-band and C-band wavelengths, delivering 100Gbit/s per channel. By stacking multiple single-mode lasers into arrays, this approach achieves throughput of 800Gbit/s and 1.6Tbit/s, ensuring superior performance with a significant reduction in power consumption and costs. This enhanced energy efficiency presents a major advantage for IP router and Ethernet switch faceplate density.
Adtrans says the technology could be extended to support other applications from DR4/8/16 to various FR4 links within optical engines, all while maintaining power consumption below 200mW per lane.
The companies cite up to 80% reduction in power on the transmit optics compared to conventional solutions, with the new module consuming less than 2pJ/bit, including the laser driver. This significantly undercuts current industry standards, including those cited by co-packaged optics.
“As the importance of data volume and speed escalates, the demand for increased bandwidth and enhanced energy efficiency accelerates. Our introduction of the market’s first 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode VCSEL technology, scalable to 1.6Tbit/s, epitomizes our proactive approach to tackling these emerging requirements. By pushing the limits of speed and significantly reducing power consumption, we’re creating tomorrow’s benchmarks,” said Ross Saunders, GM of optical engines at Adtran. “Our new technology promises to significantly improve intra-data center connectivity and AI application efficiencies, merging high performance with long-term sustainability. As we prepare for the leap towards 800Gbit/s and 1.6Tbit/s applications, we’re enhancing the foundations of efficient, high-capacity data ecosystems worldwide.”
"As applications such as generative AI proliferate and enterprises expand their AI clusters, the need for advanced optical interconnects capable of supporting Terabit connectivity has reached a critical juncture. Our 100Gbit/s PAM4 single-mode VCSEL technology meets this challenge head-on. It enables energy efficiency and the capacity for higher-density deployments while at the same time addressing manufacturing, testing and assembly costs,” commented Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran. “This technology supports throughput of up to 800Gbit/s and 1.6Tbit/s, significantly reducing operational expenses while enhancing network capabilities. Our approach underscores a commitment to delivering sustainable, high-capacity networking solutions that break through existing barriers, readying networks for the next wave of AI infrastructure development.”
