The latest data center architectures and growing traffic have placed higher demands on bandwidth between data centers. To meet this challenge, system developers must simplify the development process of a new generation of 1.2 Tbps (1.2T) transmission solutions to suit a variety of client configurations. This requires terabit-class Ethernet PHY devices and coherent optical modules to be interoperable in data center interconnect (DCI) and metro transport networks. Microchip Technology (Microchip Technology) today announced that it has successfully achieved fourth-generation interoperability between Microchip META-DX2 Ethernet PHY series and Acacia Coherent Interconnect Module 8 (CIM8) in cooperation with Acacia.
The interoperable devices of the two companies provide low-power, optimized bandwidth and scalable solutions for pluggable optical devices in DCI and transport networks. Together, they enable high-capacity, multi-rate muxponders, bringing three major benefits to optical transport platforms:
● DCI bandwidth optimization: The META-DX2 family leverages its unique Lambda Splitting capability through the META-DX2+ PHY to split 400 GbE or 800 GbE clients across multiple wavelengths driven by the CIM 8 module. This maximizes capacity between data centers, such as 3x800 GbE on 2x1.2 Tbps wavelengths or 5x400 GbE on 2x1.0 Tbps wavelengths.
● Reduced design risk: For Ethernet and OTN clients, Microchip and Acacia have jointly verified the success of SerDes interoperability up to 112G per lane, reducing design verification and system certification requirements.
● Better support for full-bandwidth, multi-rate operation: The crosspoint and variator capabilities of META-DX2+ enable 100 GbE to 800 GbE client modules to connect to the CIM 8 module at full bandwidth.
“This interoperability expands our long-standing relationship with Acacia and helps accelerate and optimize the build-out of cloud- and AI-ready optical networks while reducing development risk for our customers,” said Maher Fahmi, vice president of Microchip’s communications business unit. “Our META-DX2 is the first solution of its kind to integrate 1.6T encryption, port aggregation and Lambda Splitting capabilities into the industry’s most compact 112G PAM4 device.”
“The Acacia CIM 8 coherent modules have been verified to interoperate with Microchip’s META-DX2 devices, and we see this as a powerful solution that will accelerate system time to market,” said Markus Weber, senior director of DSP product line management at Acacia. “With its compact size and low power consumption, our CIM 8 coherent modules are designed to help network operators deploy and scale high-bandwidth DWDM connections between data centers and throughout the transport network.”
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