Pathfinding to 3.2T and more / OIF Hot Stage for OFC

As I walked into the OIF hot staging event in Santa Clara, I quickly realized that the next generation of AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) networks are being investigated here. If you have not heard of the OIF, it is where the optical networking industry collaborates to develop interoperable electrical, optical, and control systems at the lowest levels of networking, the physical and link layers. There are 40 companies from system, component and test equipment vendors working to build a set of demos to show at the OFC tradeshow a month from now in Los Angeles.

Demos being worked on include ongoing interoperability work with 224G (1.6T Ethernet) as we drive towards a ratified standard by the end of the year, 448G (3.2T Ethernet) pathfinding, 800ZR, 400ZR Coherent long-range optics, 224G CMIS, Co-Packaging and Energy Efficient Interfaces (EEI).

Why do I call this pathfinding to 3.2T? A draft standard does not yet exist for 3.2T. The modulation scheme has not yet been confirmed (PAM4, PAM6, PAM8). There are real world tradeoffs between the complexities of choosing a faster symbol rate with PAM4 or higher noise-sensitivity with PAM6/8. These 3 modulation schemes are actively looked at – both formally and informally these past few days. Having components, test tools and the right set of engineers/architects in a positive environment generates meaningful conversations, technical results, and deep insights. 3.2T is hard. Really hard. There are tremendous opportunities ahead for this industry, but more than ever it will take a village to build what is required.

Collaborating with the engineers driving the demos reveals an intense focus on physical-layer details. Teams actively debate the exact time slice to capture from a sampling scope, fine-tune link configurations, and rigorously optimize eye diagrams. This hands-on problem-solving extends far beyond simply passing a compliance standard; it is the foundational work that guarantees a stable, successful ecosystem deployment in the modern data center.

If you are at OFC this year, drop by booth #2017. Read more details about the OIF demos at OFC here.

Representatives from 40 companies participating in the hot stage of OFC