Semtech, MultiPhy Partner on 100G Optical Modules

Semtech Corp. and MultiPhy Ltd. of Ness Ziona, Israel, have entered into a strategic agreement aimed at accelerating introduction of 100-Gb/s single-wavelength optical modules.

As part of the agreement, the publicly traded Semtech is now one of the largest shareholders in privately held MultiPhy.

The partnership brings together MultiPhy's advanced-node CMOS digital signal processing (DSP) technology with Semtech's laser driver and transimpedence amplifier to enable 100G modules requiring only single-lane optics.

The technology is intended to reduce the number of components inside 100G optical modules, thereby reducing equipment costs for data centers. The technology could enable the elimination of parallel optical systems and components used for multiplexing (mux) and demultiplexing (demux) in duplex fiber, requiring instead a single laser and optical receiver for each optical module.

It could also reduce manufacturing complexity and enable smaller module form factors, which are essential for enabling increased port density in data centers, the companies said. Current PAM4 systems are based on 50-Gb/s per wavelength technology, which still requires two lasers and optical mux-demux components to build a 100G optical module.

"We believe this architecture will enable our customers to build lower-power and lower-cost 100G modules for the high-volume phase of 100G datacenter interconnect build-outs," said Semtech President and CEO Mohan Maheswaran. "Furthermore, with MultiPhy's unique DSP technology, we expect the same 100-Gb/s per wavelength technology can be leveraged for both short reach intra-data center links and longer-reach inter-data center links.”

Semtech supplies analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for high-end consumer, enterprise computing, communications and industrial equipment. For more information, visit www.semtech.com.

MultiPhy offers digital signal processing-based integrated circuits for high-speed communications, including 100-Gb/s and 400-Gb/s CMOS chipsets with advanced modulation schemes. For more information, visit www.multi-phy.com.