Kyocera's ceramic mirrors selected fo ISS-Earth optical comms

Kyocera's Fine Cordierite ceramic mirrors are set to play a crucial role in advancing optical communication between the International Space Station (ISS) and Earth. These mirrors have been incorporated into the Quantum-Small Optical Link (QSOL) developed by Sony Computer Science Laboratories. Commissioned by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, QSOL is a key component of the Secure Laser Communications Terminal for Low Earth Orbit (SeCRETS) project, aimed at demonstrating advanced on-orbit technology.

The project is a collaborative effort involving the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, the Next Generation Space System Technology Research Association, SKY Perfect JSAT, and Sony CSL. This groundbreaking experiment focuses on overcoming the current limitations of data transmission between Earth observation satellites and ground stations. Traditionally, communication relies on optical wireless methods using radio waves or visible light, which are increasingly inadequate due to the growing volume of data generated by advanced satellite sensors.

The introduction of Kyocera's Fine Cordierite ceramic mirrors is expected to revolutionize this field. These mirrors offer exceptional thermal and mechanical properties, such as low thermal expansion and long-term dimensional stability, crucial for maintaining the precise alignment needed for high-speed, high-capacity data transmission. The successful implementation of this technology could lead to data transmission speeds over 100 times faster than current radio wave methods, significantly enhancing the capabilities of space infrastructure.

Key Points of the Experiment

Kyocera's Contribution:

Fine Cordierite ceramic mirrors supplied for ISS-Earth optical communication.

QSOL Development:

Created by Sony Computer Science Laboratories under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Collaborative Effort:

Involves the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Next Generation Space System Technology Research Association, SKY Perfect JSAT, and Sony CSL.

Current Communication Methods:

Utilizes optical wireless communication with radio waves or visible light, essential for various data-dependent applications.

Challenges and Solutions:

Addressing the need for rapid transmission of large data volumes from Earth observation satellites.

Advantages of Kyocera’s Fine Cordierite Ceramic Mirrors:

Low Thermal Expansion: Ensures minimal dimensional changes, crucial for nanoscale precision.

High Mechanical Strength and Rigidity: Offers significantly greater strength and rigidity compared to low thermal expansion glass.

Long-Term Dimensional Stability: Provides stable performance over extended periods.

Radiation Resistance: Maintains consistent performance under radiation, suitable for space environments.

SeCRETS Launch and Experiment:

Launched on August 2, 2023, and installed on the ISS's Kibo module.

Demonstrated secure optical communication using one-time pad encryption between the ISS and a ground station.

https://www.sonycsl.co.jp/press/prs20240418/
https://www.sonycsl.co.jp/press/prs20240423/?lang=en

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Equinix to export heat from Paris data centre to Olympic Aquatic Centre

 Starting next month, Equinix will launch a significant Heat Export project at its newest data center in Paris, PA10. The recovered heat will be transferred to the Plaine Saulnier urban development zone and the Olympic Aquatic Centre, venues for the 2024 Summer Olympics. This initiative is set to provide sustainable heating solutions for the Olympic facilities, showcasing a practical application of green energy technology on a global stage.

Equinix is calling for municipal planning agencies, energy utilities, and heat network operators worldwide to join its innovative Heat Export program, which aims to harness the residual heat generated in its data centers for community use. This program offers a cleaner alternative to traditional heating methods, crucial during a time of rising global energy prices and supply constraints.

The Heat Export program recovers residual heat from Equinix's data centers and distributes it to nearby buildings, helping to reduce the reliance on conventional energy sources. Equinix has successfully implemented several Heat Export initiatives across Europe and the Americas, with projects in France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and Canada.

In Toronto, Equinix's TR5 IBX data center already distributes recovered heat to multiple residential buildings, a hotel, a university, and a shopping center in downtown Markham. Additionally, TR5 supplies domestic hot water year-round to several buildings through a partnership with Markham District Energy.

Equinix said it is dedicated to expanding its Heat Export program in suitable locations, identifying data centers that can serve as valuable heat sources for local communities. The company is actively seeking partnerships with heat network operators, energy utilities, and local municipalities to further these projects. By collaborating with these entities, Equinix aims to make a significant positive impact on the communities it serves.

"Our Heat Export program is one important way data centers can give back to their local communities," explained Gary Aitkenhead, SVP, EMEA IBX Operations, Equinix. "However, it is only possible through collaboration with energy providers, governments, and other third-party enablers. So, we are asking for more partners to join the program and re-use the heat from our operations for the good of people and our planet."

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Infinera hosts demo of 5G xHaul using coherent Open XR optics

Infinera hosted a multi-vendor demonstration of 5G mobile broadband xHaul using coherent open XR optics point-to-multipoint optical transmission.

Hosted at the European Open Test & Integration Center in Torino by TIM, the high-capacity xHaul application testing included fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul transport scenarios with XR-based coherent pluggable optics deployed in third-party hosts supporting point-to-point and point-to-multipoint optical transmission. The results of the performance testing included a successful demonstration of xHaul synchronization and timing distribution in a point-to-multipoint optical transport architecture.

Equipment used in the interoperable xHaul testing included Infinera ICE-X intelligent coherent pluggables, the DZS Saber 2200, and Calnex Paragon-NEO. Part of the work carried out by TIM and Infinera was supported by the EU project ALLEGRO, GA No. 101092766.

Infinera says the demo represents a key step toward enabling mobile operators to greatly simplify and reduce the cost of 5G and next-generation mobile transport network rollouts through the reduction of the number of optical transceivers, resulting in significant total cost of ownership savings.

“It is not only the significant bandwidth demands of 5G that create challenges for mobile operators, but also the fundamental misalignment between actual 5G network traffic patterns and the underlying transport technology,” said Ron Johnson, SVP and General Manager, Optical Subsystems and Global Engineering Group, Infinera. “Working in close collaboration with industry-leading mobile operators such as TIM, this testing validates the critical role that XR optics innovation can play in transforming the economics of 5G transport and paving the way for efficient 6G networks.”

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Aim raises $18 million for AI enterprise security

Aim Security, a start-up based in Tel Aviv, has announced $18 million in Series A funding for its development of AI-enabled enterprise security solutions.

Aim’s proactive, all-encompassing security platform governs and secures all forms of AI use across the modern business environment. Specifically tailored for AI’s unique threats, including sensitive data exposure, supply chain vulnerabilities, harmful or manipulated outputs, and the emergence of attack methods such as jailbreaks and prompt injection, Aim’s platform has already engendered significant customer trust across highly regulated industries, including banking, insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, and defense.

The funding round was led by Canaan Partners, with participation from the company’s seed investor, YL Ventures. Aim’s backers include the founders of WIZ and industry leaders from Palo Alto Networks, Proofpoint, and Google. This is among the fastest Series A rounds in cybersecurity history and brings Aim’s total funding to $28 million.

Aim Security was founded by cybersecurity veterans Matan Getz, CEO, and Adir Gruss, CTO, who have broken and built AI platforms, including in the IDF’s elite intelligence Unit 8200.

“Enterprise customers from a wide range of industries repeatedly asked us, ‘How can we embrace the undeniable advantages of cutting-edge AI technologies, such as heightened efficiency and optimized decision-making, without crossing our acceptable risk threshold?’” said Matan Getz, CEO of Aim Security. “At Aim, our mission is clear: to serve as the trusted AI security ally for enterprise security leaders and allow organizations to confidently unleash the potential of these technologies within their environment, knowing that Aim is their protection layer.”

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2Africa subsea cable reaches UK

The 2Africa subsea cable has been landed in Bude, Cornwall.

At 45,000km, 2Africa is expected to be the longest subsea cable ever deployed. A total of 46 cable landing locations are envisioned for the project before completion in 2024. With a capacity of up to 180 terabits per second (Tbps), 2Africa will be the first system to provide continuous capacity around the African continent, and will connect 33 countries on three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia). 

Vodafone, which is the landing partner for the the 2Africa subsea cable, in Bude, confirmed that it is now carrying traffic on part of its 2Africa cable system to deliver additional capacity to customers.

As the lead partner for the UK landing, Vodafone handled the physical cable coming ashore; burial on the beach; and installation into a new, purpose-built beach manhole, where 2Africa will connect to terrestrial cable routing back to the existing Vodafone Cable Landing Station. Vodafone will also provide 2Africa with onward connectivity via two diverse terrestrial infrastructure and fibre routes linking to the London area.

Vodafone has named the twin-fibre pairs it owns in the cable system after Vodafone Group’s Head of Subsea Partnerships, Rick Perry. The Vodafone system is referred to as SHARP (the System Honouring the Achievements of Rick Perry).

The 2Africa consortium is made up of eight international partners: Bayobab; Center3; China Mobile International; Meta; Orange; Telecom Egypt; Vodafone Group; and WIOCC. Alcatel Submarine Networks is responsible for the manufacture and installation of the 2Africa cable.

Vodafone has been the partner for 11 landings of the 2Africa cable to date, with its experience in subsea cables tracing back to the landing of the first-ever transoceanic cable in Porthcurno, Cornwall, in 1870.

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/worlds-largest-subsea-cable-system-landed-uk/

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YOFC and China Mobile test 800G hollow-core fiber

Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable YOFC), in collaboration with China Mobile, unveiled the world's first 800G hollow-core fibre transmission test network in Shenzhen-Dongguan, Guangdong. Hollow-core fibre, utilizing an innovative air-guiding mechanism, surpasses the performance constraints associated with traditional solid-core fibres in both capacity and latency. 

YOFC's participation in the test network featured a comprehensive suite of solutions specifically designed for hollow-core fibre optics, encompassing the provision of cables, essential splicing services, and adapters for integration with single-mode fibres. The project successfully navigated several technical challenges common in complex installations. The challenges involved mitigating environmental risks and ensuring robust infrastructure during fibre laying and splicing operations—addressing pipe flooding, managing excessive humidity, and conducting precise splicing in outdoor environments. These efforts were crucial in enabling a detailed evaluation of the fibre's performance under real operational conditions.

Key performance metrics achieved on a 20km test link—such as splice losses between hollow-core fibres, connections from hollow-core to solid-core fibres, and attenuation post-installation—were benchmarked against leading global standards. Moreover, the deployment featured an 800Gbps single-wavelength optical transmission setup, achieving a bidirectional long-distance transmission test with a throughput of 128Tb/s over hollow-core fibres. This not only demonstrated the practical application of such fibres in intricate and demanding network environments but also served as a critical proof-of-concept for the scalability and industrial applicability of hollow-core fibre technologies.

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New Zealand's Chorus deploys Nokia's 25PON

Chorus, New Zealand's largest open-access internet infrastructure company, and 2Degrees, the country’s leading retail service provider, have activated its 25G PON solution in a live commercial network. New Zealand Cherry Corp will become the first customer to benefit from 25G PON, leveraging its capacity, latency, and reliability to revolutionize its farming methods.

The companies said this pilot project demonstrates the transformative impact 25G PON can have on business practices and industry 4.0 applications. Using Nokia’s next-generation fiber technology, Chorus can quickly enhance the fiber network capacity and enable retail service providers like 2Degrees to deliver higher-speed connectivity and new use cases that drive more efficiency, productivity, and lower overall energy consumption.

Ewen Powell, Chief Information Officer at Chorus, said: “Nokia’s 25G PON solution allows us to provide our customers with the capacity they need to offer new services and applications that require a reliable, ultra-fast connection, such as Agriculture 4.0, Industry 4.0, mobile transport, and advanced enterprise connectivity. Running 25G PON alongside XGS-PON and GPON will allow us to converge many more services and retail service providers onto our network, providing greater choice and quality for end-customers.”

Sandy Motley, President of Nokia Fixed Networks, said: “Fiber broadband networks have great potential that operators just started tapping in because you can increase bandwidth in a very efficient way and leverage the infrastructure to connect everything. When we designed our Quillion chipset, a key requirement was to be able to support multiple PON technologies on the same fiber, giving operators the flexibility to offer different service levels dependent on the customers’ needs.”

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Dell'Oro: Data center physical infrastructure market slows in Q1

Data Center Physical Infrastructure (DCPI) revenue growth slowed to a mid-single-digit rate in 1Q 2024, as design shifts to support accelerated computing infrastructure and AI workloads need more time to materialize, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group.

“As I predicted, DCPI revenue growth slowed in 1Q 2024 as deployments related to AI workloads simply need more time to materialize, and to a lesser extent, a difficult comparison to an unseasonably strong 1Q 2023,” said Lucas Beran, Research Director at Dell’Oro Group. “On a positive note, the pipeline for AI-related DCPI deployments continues to grow, as evidenced by vendor backlogs that have eclipsed levels seen during the 2022 supply chain constraints. Fulfillment of this demand is simply a matter of time.

“Many factors are impacting the timing of this DCPI growth related to AI – Vendor manufacturing expansion, data center construction, and power availability all need to align. Furthermore, new data center designs to accommodate rack power densities 3 to 5 times higher than average, to incorporate liquid cooling, and to manage AI training load variability are all new challenges currently being addressed. As they are overcome, I expect growth to materialize in a very meaningful way,” continued Beran.

Additional highlights from the 1Q 2024 Data Center Physical Infrastructure Quarterly Report:

• Eaton, Modine, and Schneider Electric led all vendors in market share gains, while Vertiv lost share.
• Revenue growth was broad based, but North America slightly outpaced all other regions. The China DCPI market was the only region to decline, but is expected to return to growth next quarter.
• Hardware sales growth broadly slowed, with the exception of Facility Power Distribution, which was the only market segment to grow at a double-digit rate, due to increasing power distribution requirements of AI workloads. Thermal Management growth notably slowed as some colocation end-users are still deploying recently shipped equipment.
• Looking ahead, we forecast double-digit revenue growth for the 2024 DCPI market after a small upward revision. We expect this to be weighted towards the second half of the year as physical infrastructure deployments related to AI workloads begin to materialize.

https://www.delloro.com/news/ai-design-shifts-slow-data-center-physical-infrastructure-market-in-1q-2024/

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Dell'Oro: SASE market surges 23 percent in Q1

The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) market experienced a remarkable 23 percent revenue growth in 1Q 2024, marking its seventeenth consecutive quarter of over 20 percent growth, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group. This sustained increase underscores the ongoing shift towards SASE solutions as enterprises prioritize mobile- and cloud-first environments. Revenue growth eclipsing 20 percent in both the Security Service Edge (SSE) and SD-WAN segments is a significant driver of this trend, as enterprises seek comprehensive solutions to enhance security and streamline network management in a digital-first world.

“Enterprises worldwide are increasingly leaning towards comprehensive SASE solutions to address the complexities of remote work and cloud integration,” said Mauricio Sanchez, Sr. Research Director, Enterprise Networking and Security at Dell’Oro Group. “Our latest report indicates that this trend is persisting, driven by the need for integrated and scalable secure network frameworks.”

Additional highlights from the 1Q 2024 SASE and SD-WAN Quarterly Report:

• The global SASE market, combining SD-WAN and SSE technologies, again topped $2 billion for the fourth consecutive quarter, showcasing a 23 percent growth rate.
• North America remained the largest revenue contributor, accounting for over half of the global market. However, regions like EMEA and APAC exhibited faster growth rates, signaling broader global enterprise adoption of SASE solutions.
• Single-vendor SASE solutions dominated the market, representing 80 percent of the total SASE revenue, bolstered by Zscaler’s recent entry into the SD-WAN market.
• The unified SASE market continues to appeal to the mid-market with its simplified networking and security integration as evidenced by Cato Networks’ 48 percent revenue growth.
• Zscaler remained the overall SASE revenue leader and extended its share to become only the second SASE vendor with 20 percent or more revenue share since Cisco in 3Q 2019.
• SSE revenue grew by 24 percent year-over-year, its lowest-ever growth rate. However, key players like Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, and Netskope saw a combined revenue rise of 38 percent year-over-year, reflecting strong customer demand for comprehensive security solutions.

https://www.delloro.com/news/sase-market-surges-23-percent-in-1q-2024-17th-quarter-of-20-percent-growth/

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OIF advances CEI-224G-Linear project

OIF has launched a new CEI-224G-Linear project built on the approach of CEI-112G-Linear in terms of specification methodology. It will support 224G full linear optical modules for next-gen applications (e.g., Ethernet, Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC), Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning [AI/ML]) with low power, cost/complexity and latency. The TP1/TP1a and TP4/TP4a electrical specifications will enable up to 224G full linear optical modules for Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO), co-packaged optics (CPO) and Near Package Optics (NPO), supporting next-generation application requirements.

“The CEI-224G-Linear project will represent significant progress in our technological capabilities, weaving the precision of CEI-112G-Linear with groundbreaking innovations,” said Mike Li, OIF Board Member and Intel. “By enabling 224G full linear optical modules and leveraging the advanced 224G DSP SERDES architecture and technology, this initiative is poised to redefine the landscapes of Ethernet, UEC and AI/ML applications. As we embrace lower power, cost and latency, this project is a giant step forward in next-generation computing and connectivity driven by AI/ML.”

 

At its Q2 Technical and Market Awareness & Education (MA&E) Committees meeting, held May 7-9 in Athens, Greece, the OIF also launched a Common Electrical I/O (CEI) CEI-224G-Linear project and the publication of two Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) white papers.

Additionally, the Physical Layer User Group (PLUG) Working Group released a new system vendor requirements document for Energy Efficient Interfaces (EEI).

Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) White Paper on Management of Smart Optical Modules

• This white paper explores how the DWDM functions, parameters and operational aspects of “smart” optical pluggable modules can be handled more efficiently to address various challenges. It introduces an alternative control paradigm for optical modules that decouples optical layer control from packet layer control and from host software and packet controller software development and outlines the pros and cons of this approach. This paradigm is called “host independent management,” enabling advanced capabilities of smart optical modules via additional management methods. The white paper is available for download here.

CMIS-Based Out-of-Band Messaging for Link Training

• This white paper provides background on link training and a proposed message catalog by which any transmit SerDes can be trained initially (or tuned adaptively while in service) based on the needs of the corresponding receive SerDes, with the help of message exchange.It promotes out-of-band (OOB) messaging via the ubiquitous CMIS management link as a flexible solution for exchanging link training messages. The technical specifications of the messaging facility and the representation of the messages will be defined in a CMIS-LT supplement. Potential CMIS-LT applications could include CEI-112G Very Short Reach (VSR), Extra Short Reach (XSR), XSR+, and Medium Reach (MR), IEEE 802.3 AUI C2M links, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand, Optical Transport Network (OTN), etc. Download the white paper here.

System Vendor Requirements Document for Energy Efficient Interfaces

• In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, where data processing and communication demands for AI continue to soar, pursuing energy-efficient solutions is critical. This requirements document for EEI is a direct result of engaging with end users to understand their needs and expectations. It seeks to prioritize applications and establish fundamental criteria for the next generation of energy-efficient electrical and optical link projects and specifications.

“OIF’s commitment to interoperability standards and tackling technological challenges was evident at the Q2 meeting,” said Nathan Tracy, OIF President, and TE Connectivity. “The high attendance, start of the CEI-224G-Linear project, CMIS white papers, and the vendor requirements document for EEI, alongside David Moor’s insightful presentation on advanced transceiver design, underscore our leadership in promoting industry-wide collaboration and innovation.”

The event was further highlighted by guest speaker David Moor, a representative from ETH Zürich and the FLEX-SCALE consortium. Moor discussed the development of an optical digital-to-analog converter (oDAC) supporting Tbps+ data rates with lower power per bit than conventional modulation methods. According to Moor, this design utilizes currently available electronics and photonic devices and is well suited to support high-capacity transport with improved power efficiency.

https://www.oiforum.com/

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Cignal AI: 400 and 800GbE module shipments jump more than 25% QoQ

Hyperscale network operator demand drove purchases of 400GbE and 800GbE datacom and 400ZR telecom optical modules to record levels, according to the latest Optical Components Report from research firm Cignal AI. Well over 3 million high-speed datacom modules were shipped this quarter in support of AI cluster interconnect and traditional computing applications.

“800GbE vendor shipments have yet to match demand, though nearly as many 800GbE modules shipped in 1Q24 as in all of 2023,” said Scott Wilkinson, Lead Analyst at Cignal AI. “While some vendors have reported that lead times are coming down, the demand for 400GbE and 800GbE modules remains exceptionally strong and we anticipate that datacom segment revenue will double in 2024.”

Additional 1Q24 Optical Component Report Findings:

Spending on Datacom optical components was up more than 90% YoY as AI applications of 400GbE and 800GbE optical modules for AI applications drove demand to record levels.

Combined unit shipments of 400GbE and 800GbE Datacom modules across all SR/DR/FR/LR specifications jumped over 25% QoQ. Innolight led all vendors in shipments of Datacom modules.

Telecom optical module shipment growth was concentrated in 400G coherent pluggables, which were up more than 35% YoY. Marvell and Acacia experienced strong shipment growth.

Outside of pluggable coherent, shipments of Telecom components declined YoY, with segment revenue dropping -26% YoY.

The coherent module market size declined to under $5 billion in 2023 but it will grow in 2024 and is expected to approach $10 billion in 2028.

https://cignal.ai/

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Alphawave Semi tapes out multi-protocol I/O connectivity chiplet

Alphawave Semi has announced the successful tape-out of the industry’s first off-the-shelf multi-protocol I/O connectivity chiplet, utilizing TSMC’s 7nm process. The chiplet combines Alphawave Semi’s customizable connectivity IP, custom silicon, and advanced packaging capabilities. The 7nm multi-standard I/O chiplet boasts a comprehensive IP portfolio compliant with Ethernet, PCIe, CXL, and UCIe (Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express) Revision 1.1 standards.

The new chiplet delivers total bandwidth of up to 1.6 Tbps, supporting up to 16 lanes of multi-standard PHY with silicon-proven PCIe 6.0, CXL 3.x, and 800G Ethernet in various mixed operating modes. This development also lays the groundwork for a robust and open chiplet ecosystem, crucial for accelerating connectivity in high-performance AI systems through UCIe as a die-to-die connectivity subsystem. Alphawave Semi recently showcased an industry-first live demo of its 24 Gbps UCIe silicon platform at the Chiplet Summit 2024 in Santa Clara, CA.

Key Points:

Industry First: Successful tape-out of the first off-the-shelf multi-protocol I/O connectivity chiplet on TSMC's 7nm process.

Advanced Capabilities: Integrates flexible and customizable connectivity IP, custom silicon, and advanced packaging.

High Bandwidth: Delivers up to 1.6 Tbps total bandwidth, supporting 16 lanes of multi-standard PHY.

Standards Compliance: Compliant with Ethernet, PCIe, CXL, and UCIe Revision 1.1 standards.

AI System Connectivity: Enhances connectivity for high-performance AI systems using UCIe as a die-to-die connectivity subsystem.

Live Demo: Showcased a 24 Gbps UCIe silicon platform at Chiplet Summit 2024.

Customer Benefits: Offers flexibility and scalability for hyperscalers and datacenter infrastructure through mix-and-match high-performance custom SoCs.

Collaboration with TSMC: Demonstrates the use of TSMC’s 3DFabric™ ecosystem to integrate advanced interfaces.

https://awavesemi.com/press-release/alphawave-semi-tapes-out-industry-first-multi-protocol-i-o-connectivity-chiplet-for-high-performance-compute-and-ai-infrastructure/

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O-RAN ALLIANCE Global PlugFest Spring 2024

 The O-RAN ALLIANCE (O-RAN) hosted its eighth PlugFest highlighting achievements in five themes:

O-RAN Energy Consumption, Efficiency and Savings Testing:

• Participating labs successfully tested O-RAN energy saving use cases in different network conditions, helping to optimize RAN Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and overall sustainability of mobile network operations.

Demonstrate consistent and repeatable open fronthaul testing in multiple labs:

• Several PlugFest hosts partnered to prove the ability to achieve consistent testing results in independent labs, ensuring testing reliability across labs and regions and supporting certification of O-RAN based products.

Open Fronthaul Transport Testing with multiple O-RUs:

• Building on previous O-RAN PlugFests, hosts and participants of the Spring 2024 PlugFest successfully extended the number of multi-vendor interoperable configurations in different setups and conditions, broadening the offer of O-RAN solutions for mobile operators.

O-RAN System Testing with Layer 1 Acceleration:

• The PlugFest verified readiness to automatically deploy and configure Layer 1 accelerators to allow their efficient testing in different network configurations.

O-RAN E2E Deployment Templates, DevOps, and Test Automation:

• Focusing on increasing efficiency of O-RAN network deployments, PlugFest participants demonstrated automation of testing in different areas including testbed setup, security testing, rApps/xApps and RIC testing, utilizing CI/CD processes, and application of the same automation in different labs.

O-RAN Global PlugFest Spring 2024, co-hosted by 20 operators, OTICs, and academic and research institutions, was conducted from February to May 2024 in 18 labs across Asia, Europe, and North America. The PlugFest had 86 participating companies or institutions, some of which participated in more than one venue.

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Deutsche Telekom offers 5G mmWave for industrial customers

Following successful trials, Deutsche Telekom has now commercially launched private 5G using the  26 gigahertz (GHz) band. In a landmark trial at Berlin's Werner-von-Siemens Centre for Industry and Science, autonomous machines and robots at Ger4tech Mechatronik Center were networked using a 5G router supporting both the 3.7 GHz industrial spectrum and mmWave spectrum. The trial showcased mmWave’s low latency of three to four milliseconds RTT and impressive data rates exceeding 4 Gbps download and 2 Gbps upload, underlining its potential for data-intensive manufacturing applications. This advancement is powered by Telit Cinterion, a global IoT solutions provider.

DT says the commercial rollout of 5G mmWave allows industries to leverage this technology for various applications, especially in AI-driven data analysis. Machines can upload vast amounts of data to the cloud, enhancing operations within 5G campus networks. Characterized by short-range coverage but high bandwidth and speeds, 5G mmWave is poised to revolutionize wireless communication and imaging, particularly in autonomous vehicles and the manufacturing sector. The 26 GHz spectrum, allocated exclusively by Germany's Federal Network Agency, is currently designated for local applications, highlighting its specialized use.

Key Points:

• First Trial and Commercial Offering: Deutsche Telekom successfully trialed and launched 5G mmWave at 26 GHz for industrial customers.
• High Performance: Achieved low latency (3-4 ms RTT) and high data rates (4 Gbps download, 2 Gbps upload) in trials.
• Enabled by the global IoT solutions provider, Telit Cinterion.
• Industrial Applications: Ideal for AI data analysis, autonomous vehicles, and data-intensive manufacturing applications.

https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/5g-mmwave-for-industrial-customers-in-germany-1068180

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T-Mobile wins 10-Year, $2.67 billion contract with U.S. Navy

The U.S. Department of the Navy selected T-Mobile as part of the $2.67 billion Spiral 4 contract. This new contract will give all Department of Defense agencies the ability to place orders for wireless services and equipment from T-Mobile for the next ten years.

The multiple-award contract includes voice, data, fixed wireless solutions, Internet of Things and mobility management solutions. It will help ensure robust and reliable connectivity for government activities — from mission critical communications to network solutions that serve military personnel and federal civilian agencies.

T-Mobile also introduced Government Internet, a 5G fixed wireless solution that can function as the main internet connection or as unlimited backup, enhancing reliability and support for critical communications. T-Mobile and 3rd Eye Technologies are making it easier for government agencies to stay compliant with federal message archiving laws with a ready-to-use solution that securely captures and stores SMS and MMS message logs. And in the future, government agencies could leverage T-Mobile’s partnership with SpaceX, which aims to merge T-Mobile's network with Starlink’s satellite capabilities with the goal to provide groundbreaking, near-universal connectivity.

"The Spiral 4 contract award is a testament to T-Mobile’s leading 5G network and to our focus on building solutions that meet the critical needs of our government customers,” said David Bezzant, Vice President of Sales, T-Mobile for Government. “With a cutting-edge product portfolio, a proven track record and a clear vision for the future, we’re ready to take government innovation to the next level. It's an honor to serve those who serve this Nation.”

https://www.t-mobile.com/business/government

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RENATER picks Nokia for data center deployments in Paris

RENATER, the National Research and Education Network in France responsible for deploying and managing national, as well as some regional, network infrastructure for research and education, selected the full Nokia Data Center Fabric solution for its two data centers in Paris. IMS Networks, a leading French network and cybersecurity managed services provider, is supporting the deployment. 

The deployment in in RENATER’s two data centers will include 7220 IXRs for leaf, spine and border leaf routers powered by Nokia that run on an open, extensible and resilient SR Linux Network Operating System (NOS).

Boris Dintrans, Managing Director at RENATER, said: "We are excited to embark on this journey with Nokia, a company whose name is synonymous with innovation, reliability, and what is increasingly important for our long-term strategy, European digital sovereignty. This new Nokia Data Center Fabric infrastructure will not only support RENATER’s capacity growth but will also allow for the development of new services for our members and users, particularly those operating in AI that require state-of-the-art networks, both inside and outside of data centers for data feeding.”

Sacha Hilic, Chief Executing Officer at IMS Networks, said: “With this new Data Center Fabric project, we are bringing all our technical network expertise to the challenges of resilience and performance of RENATER's critical infrastructures. This underlines our commitment to excellence and our vision of a more connected, secure and innovative digital future.”

Matthieu Bourguignon, Senior Vice President and head of Europe for Network Infrastructure business at Nokia, said: “We are honored to help support RENATER’s transition towards the burgeoning field of AI and the promise it holds for educators and students, across France. Nokia is delighted to partner with IMS Networks with our Data Center Fabric solution, which is a key pillar of the evolution of Network Infrastructure and Data Center markets, dedicated to research, education, and connected territories.”

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Nokia announces 2 management changes

 Nokia appointed Lorna Gibb as Chief People Officer and member of the Group Leadership Team. Prior to this role she served as Vice President, Labor and Employment, being a member of Nokia’s People and Legal & Compliance Leadership Teams. Lorna has over 20 years of experience working in people leadership roles for large scale global businesses in various industries and geographies. Before joining Nokia, she held roles as Global People Director for Skyscanner and People Partner/Director for EasyJet, where she spearheaded cross border organizational and cultural transformation. Lorna will be based in Finland and reports to Nokia’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Pekka Lundmark.

In addition, Ricky Corker, who has served as Nokia’s Chief Customer Experience Officer since 2021, will step down and leave the company on June 28, 2024. Ricky’s departure follows Nokia’s decision to empower its business groups with increased operational autonomy and move into a streamlined operating model, where the Customer Experience organization has been embedded into the business groups from the start of 2024. This change will enable the business groups to better seize growth opportunities with existing and new customers, and diversify faster into enterprise, webscale and government sectors.

“Ricky has been a valued member of Nokia’s leadership team and the Nokia community. He has been with Nokia for over 30 years and held several management positions within the company. I want to thank Ricky for all his contributions to Nokia, not least for helping to drive Nokia’s transformation and building trust with our customers throughout the years. I wish him all the best with his future endeavors,” said Pekka Lundmark.

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Samsung Foundry targets CPO-integrated AI silicon by 2027

Samsung introduced two new advanced semiconductor nodes, SF2Z and SF4U, and unveiled its integrated Samsung AI Solutions platform, leveraging the strengths of its Foundry, Memory, and Advanced Package (AVP) businesses. At its annual Samsung Foundry event in San Jose, California, Samsung executives emphasized the company’s unique ability to company the latest process node, advanced packaging, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for customers targeting the latest AI silicon designs.

• The SF2Z, Samsung’s latest 2nm process, features an optimized backside power delivery network (BSPDN) technology. This innovation places power rails on the wafer’s backside to reduce bottlenecks between power and signal lines, enhancing power, performance, and area (PPA) compared to the first-generation SF2 node. The SF2Z process is scheduled for mass production in 2027. Meanwhile, the SF4U is a high-value 4nm variant offering PPA improvements through optical shrinkage, with mass production set for 2025.
• Samsung also confirmed that its preparations for the SF1.4 (1.4nm) process are on track, aiming for mass production in 2027. The company is focusing on material and structural innovations to develop future technologies below 1.4nm.

Additionally, Samsung plans to launch an all-in-one, co-packaged optics (CPO) integrated AI solution in 2027, designed to offer high-performance, low-power semiconductors optimized for AI applications. This initiative is part of Samsung’s broader strategy to provide comprehensive AI solutions.

"At a time when numerous technologies are evolving around AI, the key to its implementation lies in high-performance, low-power semiconductors," said Dr. Siyoung Choi, President and Head of Foundry Business at Samsung Electronics. "Alongside our proven GAA process optimized for AI chips, we plan to introduce integrated, co-packaged optics (CPO) technology for high-speed, low-power data processing, providing our customers with the one-stop AI solutions they need to thrive in this transformative era."

Around 30 partner companies exhibited at booths, further highlighting the dynamic collaboration across the Samsung Foundry ecosystem. 

• Cadence Design Systems has announced a collaboration with Samsung Foundry to advance technology for AI and 3D-IC semiconductor design on Samsung's gate-all-around (GAA) nodes. This partnership aims to enhance development for applications such as AI, automotive, aerospace, hyperscale computing, and mobile. Key achievements include the use of Cadence.AI to reduce leakage power by over 10% on the SF2 GAA platform and the certification of a complete Cadence backside implementation flow for Samsung's SF2 node. This collaboration has led to successful development and validation of a test chip, demonstrating readiness for advanced design implementations.
• Synopsys announced that its AI-driven digital and analog design flows have been certified on Samsung Foundry's SF2 process, with multiple test chip tapeouts. Utilizing the Synopsys.ai™ full-stack EDA suite, these reference flows improve performance, power, and area (PPA), enhance productivity, and speed up analog design migration for Samsung's Gate-All-Around (GAA) process technologies. The certification was achieved through Synopsys' AI-driven design technology co-optimization (DTCO) solution, which provided superior PPA outcomes. These techniques will also be applied to Samsung's upcoming SF1.4 process.
• Samsung Electronics is investing $17 billion in a new semiconductor fabrication facility in Taylor, Texas. The 1.1 million square foot fab will use advanced 3-nanometer process technology and is expected to start production in the second half of 2024. The facility will have a capacity of around 170,000 wafers per month, making it one of the largest and most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the world. The project is expected to create around 1,800 new jobs in the region.

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NVIDIA Triples LLM Performance with H100 GPUs + Quantum-2 InfiniBand

 NVIDIA has achieved a remarkable milestone by more than tripling the performance on the large language model (LLM) benchmark, based on GPT-3 175B, compared to its record-setting submission from last year. This feat was accomplished using an AI supercomputer featuring 11,616 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, interconnected with NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking. The enhanced performance is attributed to the larger scale—more than triple the 3,584 H100 GPUs used previously—and extensive full-stack engineering improvements.

The scalability of the NVIDIA AI platform with InfiniBand networking, allows for significantly faster training of massive AI models like GPT-3 175B. This advancement translates into substantial business opportunities. For instance, NVIDIA’s recent earnings call highlighted how LLM service providers can achieve a sevenfold return on investment over four years by running the Llama 3 70B model on NVIDIA HGX H200 servers. This assumes a service charge of $0.60 per million tokens, with an HGX H200 server capable of processing 24,000 tokens per second.

The NVIDIA H200 Tensor Core GPU, building on the Hopper architecture, includes 141GB of HBM3 memory and over 40% more memory bandwidth than its predecessor, the H100. In its MLPerf Training debut, the H200 demonstrated up to a 47% performance increase compared to the H100. Additionally, software optimizations have made NVIDIA’s 512 H100 GPU configurations up to 27% faster than last year. This showcases the power of continuous software enhancements in boosting performance, even with the same hardware.

Some highlights:

• AI Supercomputer: 11,616 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs connected with NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand.
• Performance Gains: Tripled LLM benchmark performance over last year’s submission.
• H200 GPU: Features 141GB HBM3 memory and 40% more memory bandwidth than H100.
• Software Optimizations: 512 H100 GPU configurations now 27% faster than a year ago.
• Scalability: GPU count increased from 3,584 to 11,616.
• LLM Service ROI: Potential sevenfold return on investment with Llama 3 70B on HGX H200 servers.
• Stable Diffusion and GNN Training: Up to 80% performance boost for Stable Diffusion v2 and significant gains in GNN training.
• Broad Support: Participation from industry leaders like ASUS, Dell, HPE, Lenovo, and others in NVIDIA’s AI ecosystem.

https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/mlperf-training-benchmarks/

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Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to provide capacity for OpenAI

OpenAl will extend its Microsoft Azure Al platform using Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The agreement will provide additional capacity for OpenAl.

“We are delighted to be working with Microsoft and Oracle. OCI will extend Azure’s platform and enable OpenAI to continue to scale,” said Sam Altman, Chief Executive Officer, OpenAI.

“The race to build the world’s greatest large language model is on, and it is fueling unlimited demand for Oracle’s Gen2 AI infrastructure,” said Larry Ellison, Oracle Chairman and CTO. “Leaders like OpenAI are choosing OCI because it is the world’s fastest and most cost-effective AI infrastructure.”

Oracles notes that its OCI Supercluster can scale up to 64k NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs or GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchips connected by ultra-low-latency RDMA cluster networking and a choice of HPC storage. OCI Compute virtual machines and OCI’s bare metal NVIDIA GPU instances can power applications for generative AI, computer vision, natural language processing, recommendation systems, etc.

https://www.oracle.com/news/

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