Lessengers intros partially retimed 800G Optical Transceivers

LESSENGERS is unveiling a portfolio of 800G optical transceivers based on its patented “direct optical wiring” (DOW) technology.

Lessengers is adding partially retimed capability to its 800G transceiver product portfolio, which in one product entails an integrated DSP chip on the transmitter side. This capability will enable a wide range of interoperability with other pluggable transceivers and lower power consumption due to the use of a half retimer. 

Messengers AI/ML product now features the following integrated retimer electronics along with existing fully retimed optics:

* Linear drive - linear pluggable optics (LPO)

* Linear receive - half-retimed linear optics (HALO) or linear receive optics (LRO)

800G Linear Receive Optical Transceiver now offers:

* Lower power consumption – less than 9 W for an 800G (2 × SR4) OSFP

* IEEE 802.3 and CMIS 5.0 or later compliant

* 8 × 112 Gb/s PAM4 on both the electrical host receiver and optical line transmitter interfaces

* A half retimer chip integrated in the transmit path from the electrical input to the optical line side output for enhanced signal retiming and equalization.

Lessengers' DOW is a polymer-based air-cladded waveguide technology that is particularly useful for optical interconnects in the data center and high-performance computing environments.

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Alphawave Semi demos 3nm 24Gbps UCIe Subsystem

Alphawave Semi announced a significant advancement with the successful bring-up of its first chiplet-connectivity silicon platform utilizing TSMC's 3nm process. This development introduces a Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) subsystem that enhances Alphawave Semi's already strong portfolio in connectivity silicon, steering the industry towards a more cohesive and powerful chiplet ecosystem. This breakthrough aims to boost connectivity and computational capabilities, especially for high-performance AI systems. 

Highlighting this achievement, Alphawave Semi showcased a live demonstration of their 24Gbps UCIe silicon platform on the TSMC 3nm process at the recent Chiplet Summit in Santa Clara, CA.

Key aspects of Alphawave Semi's 3nm UCIe platform include:

• High Performance: The complete PHY + Controller subsystem supports data rates up to 24Gbps, offering high bandwidth density with minimal power consumption and latency.
• UCIe 1.1 Compliance: Adherence to the latest UCIe Revision 1.1 Specification ensures compatibility and performance.
• Versatile Controller: Features a highly configurable Die-to-Die (D2D) controller that accommodates various protocols including PCIe®/CXLTM, AXI-4, AXI-S, CXS, and CHI.
• Reliability Monitoring: Includes Bit Error Rate (BER) Health Monitoring for dependable operation.
• Advanced Packaging Compatibility: The PHY is designed to support TSMC’s sophisticated packaging technologies such as CoWoS® and InFO, along with organic substrates for cost efficiency.

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Astera Labs intros low-power PCIe 6.x/CXL 3.x

Astera Labs expanded its field-tested Aries PCIe/CXL Smart DSP Retimer portfolio to include a solution that delivers low-power PCIe 6.x and CXL 3.x connectivity between next generation GPUs, accelerators, CPUs, NICs, and CXL memory controllers in data-centric systems.

As the first offering in Astera Labs’ PCIe 6.x portfolio, Aries 6 sets the stage for a smart PCIe 6.x connectivity backbone.

New Aries 6 Retimers for PCIe 6.x/CXL 3.x highlights:

• Industry’s lowest power Retimers (11W typical for PCIe 6.x 16-Lane configuration)
• Low-latency connectivity up to 64 GT/s per lane
• Leading signal integrity performance with 36dB@64G PAM4 SerDes and DSP customized for demanding AI server channels to ensure robust PCIe 6.x links
• Offered in multiple lane variants (16-Lane and 8-Lane) to support PCIe 6.x and PCIe 5.x applications
• Offered in multiple form-factors (silicon chips, Smart Cable Modules, and boards) for robust Chip-to-Chip, Box-to-Box, and Rack-to-Rack PCIe/CXL signal reach extension by up to 3x
• Seamless upgrade from second generation Aries 5 Retimers to third generation Aries 6 Retimers following industry standard footprints
• Extensive observability of link health for fleet management and platform level performance optimization with the enhanced COnnectivity System Management and Optimization Software (COSMOS) suite, featuring new in-band and out-of-band diagnostics

Casey Morrison, Chief Product Officer, Astera Labs, said, “PCIe 6.x technology’s superior bandwidth is required to handle data-intensive workloads and to maximize utilization of AI accelerators, but the faster speeds introduce new signal integrity issues in hyperscale platforms. Aries Smart DSP Retimers have set the gold standard for addressing critical PCIe/CXL connectivity challenges with a solid track record of robust performance and seamless interoperability. We’re proud that our third generation of Aries Retimers with support for PCIe 6.x, PCIe 5.x, and CXL 3.x have now been sampled to leading AI and cloud platform providers.”

https://www.asteralabs.com/news/astera-labs-expands-widely-deployed-field-tested-retimer-portfolio-with-industrys-lowest-power-pcie-6-x-cxl-3-x-solution/

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Ethernet Alliance hosts interoperability demo at #OFC24

The Ethernet Alliance will host a multivendor interoperability demo at the upcming #OFC24 event in San Diego, March 26-28, 2024.

With 20 industry-leading Ethernet Alliance members in attendance, and one of the organization’s most popular interoperability demos, the organization’s OFC 2024 installation showcases Ethernet’s exceptional versatility and reliability at speeds of up to 800 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE). The installation incorporates a wide range of switches, routers, interconnects and interfaces including OSFP, QSFP-DD, QSFP, and SFP pluggable form factors. The demo also features the latest in test and measurement solutions including physical layer and traffic generation tools for ensuring Ethernet's capacity for accommodating even the most demanding applications.

“Ethernet continues to be the workhorse of today's ever-evolving networking ecosystem. With a seemingly endless capacity for adaptation, it effortlessly handles diverse workloads ranging from enterprise and home wired connectivity, to hyperscaler artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications,” said Peter Jones, chair, Ethernet Alliance. "As the need for enhanced processing power and data capacity surges, Ethernet's signature dependability and seamless interoperability are redrawing the boundaries of technology innovation.”

With one of its largest contingents of participating member companies, the Ethernet Alliance OFC 2024 exhibit includes contributions from Alphawave Semi; AMD; Amphenol Corporation; Anritsu Corporation; Arista Networks; Cisco Systems; EXFO; Hyper Photonix; Juniper Networks; Keysight Technologies; Marvell Technology; MultiLane; Panduit; Spectra7 Microsystems; Spirent Communications; Synopsys; TE Connectivity; Teledyne LeCroy / Xena Networks; VeEX; and Wilder Technologies..

As the leading industry voice of Ethernet, the Ethernet Alliance is also offering a look at the latest in Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) at its OFC 2024 booth. Featuring state-of-the-art solutions from various member companies, the display illustrates how LPO technologies extend the reach and capacity of Ethernet networks by enabling high-speed optical connectivity between devices while maintaining compatibility with Ethernet standards and protocols.

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AST SpaceMobile cites partnerships with over 40 mobile operators

AST SpaceMobile announced updates to its constellation filing with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and its V-Band application with the FCC. 

These updates signify a strategic alignment with the United States, emphasizing AST SpaceMobile's commitment to leveraging the U.S.'s regulatory frameworks and its role as a global leader in satellite communications.

Scott Wisniewski, the Chief Strategy Officer, highlighted the company's roots and operations in the U.S., pointing out its NASDAQ listing, and its reliance on American innovation and technology for satellite development and manufacturing. This move aligns with the FCC's ongoing rulemaking process for Supplemental Coverage from Space, underlining the U.S.'s position in direct-to-device regulation on a global scale.

AST SpaceMobile also noted strategic investments from major corporations like AT&T, Google, and Vodafone, and a contract award from the U.S. Government. The company has built partnerships with over 40 mobile network operators worldwide, reaching over two billion subscribers. This network includes major players like Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile, and AT&T, among others, indicating a substantial footprint in the global telecom landscape.

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Houston Airports upgrade with HPE Aruba Networking

 Houston Airports, one of the largest public airport systems in North America, is enhancing its guest connectivity by extending its partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to implement a Wi-Fi 6E-enabled Aruba Networking solution. 

This initiative aims to upgrade wireless and location-based services for around 60 million yearly visitors at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. With this upgrade, Houston Airports is set to offer high-speed, complimentary Wi-Fi access and a new wayfinding mobile app, improving the travel experience for passengers and bolstering the local economy.

Key enhancements include:

• High-Performance Wi-Fi: Free guest Wi-Fi connectivity to meet modern travelers' expectations.
• Wayfinding Mobile App: A new app to assist passengers in navigating to gates, baggage claims, and amenities efficiently.
• Location-Based Services: Deployment of HPE Aruba Networking Beacons to support the app with precise location data.
• IoT Integration: Utilization of Aruba Networking APs for IoT functionalities, aiding in smart restroom management and other facilities through real-time data for maintenance scheduling and availability alerts.

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NETGEAR’s new Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1 Modem hits 2.5 Gbps down

NETGEAR released its next-generation Nighthawk DOCSIS 3.1 High-Speed Internet Cable Modem (CM3000), specifically engineered for the fastest DOCSIS 3.1 cable internet speeds that can only be accessed with mid/high-split technology. 

The CM3000 delivers  download speeds of up to 2.5Gbps and faster upload speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

In response to increasing upstream requirements, ISPs have upgraded their mid-split offerings with Cox increasing upload speeds to 100 Mbps while Comcast has provided upload speeds of up to 200 Mbps since September 2023. The stylish, mid/high-split Nighthawk CM3000 cable modem works seamlessly with these and every other major U.S. cable service provider and is future-proofed for the even more demanding high-split needs to come.

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