Coherent Expands Its Portfolio of Silicon Photonics Transceivers for Data Centers With 2x400G-FR4 Lite
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) has launched its new 2x400G-FR4 Lite optical transceiver, a silicon photonics-based module designed for AI-driven data centers and high-speed Ethernet networks. The transceiver offers 500-meter reach with reduced power consumption, complementing their existing 800G-DR8 transceiver.
The new module features a wavelength-multiplexed variant that provides better fiber efficiency than the DR8 model. Built with silicon photonics technology, it integrates a silicon photonics integrated circuit (PIC) that includes CW lasers, photodetectors, and passive optical components, while eliminating thermoelectric coolers.
Samples are currently available, with general availability scheduled for April 1, 2025.
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) ha lanciato il suo nuovo trasmettitore ottico 2x400G-FR4 Lite, un modulo basato sulla fotonica in silicio progettato per data center guidati dall'IA e reti Ethernet ad alta velocità. Il trasmettitore offre una portata di 500 metri con un consumo energetico ridotto, completando il loro trasmettitore esistente 800G-DR8.
Il nuovo modulo presenta una variante a lunghezza d'onda multiplexata che offre una migliore efficienza della fibra rispetto al modello DR8. Realizzato con tecnologia della fotonica in silicio, integra un circuito integrato di fotonica in silicio (PIC) che include laser CW, fotodetettori e componenti ottici passivi, eliminando i refrigeratori termoelettrici.
I campioni sono attualmente disponibili, con disponibilità generale prevista per il 1 aprile 2025.
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) ha lanzado su nuevo transceptor óptico 2x400G-FR4 Lite, un módulo basado en fotónica de silicio diseñado para centros de datos impulsados por IA y redes Ethernet de alta velocidad. El transceptor ofrece un alcance de 500 metros con un consumo de energía reducido, complementando su transceptor existente 800G-DR8.
El nuevo módulo presenta una variante multiplexada por longitud de onda que proporciona una mejor eficiencia de fibra que el modelo DR8. Construido con tecnología de fotónica de silicio, integra un circuito integrado de fotónica de silicio (PIC) que incluye láseres CW, fotodetectores y componentes ópticos pasivos, eliminando los refrigeradores termoeléctricos.
Las muestras están actualmente disponibles, con disponibilidad general programada para el 1 de abril de 2025.
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR)는 AI 기반 데이터 센터와 고속 이더넷 네트워크를 위해 설계된 실리콘 포토닉스 기반의 새로운 2x400G-FR4 Lite 광 트랜시버를 출시했습니다. 이 트랜시버는 500미터의 도달 거리를 제공하며, 전력 소비를 줄여 기존의 800G-DR8 트랜시버를 보완합니다.
새로운 모듈은 DR8 모델보다 더 나은 섬유 효율성을 제공하는 파장 다중화 변형을 특징으로 합니다. 실리콘 포토닉스 기술로 제작된 이 모듈은 CW 레이저, 포토디텍터 및 수동 광학 구성 요소를 포함하는 실리콘 포토닉스 집적 회로(PIC)를 통합하며, 열전 냉각기를 제거합니다.
샘플은 현재 사용 가능하며, 일반 판매는 2025년 4월 1일로 예정되어 있습니다.
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) a lancé son nouveau transcepteur optique 2x400G-FR4 Lite, un module basé sur la photonique en silicium conçu pour les centres de données alimentés par l'IA et les réseaux Ethernet à haute vitesse. Le transcepteur offre une portée de 500 mètres avec une consommation d'énergie réduite, complétant leur transcepteur existant 800G-DR8.
Le nouveau module dispose d'une variante multiplexée par longueur d'onde qui offre une meilleure efficacité de fibre que le modèle DR8. Construit avec la technologie de photonique en silicium, il intègre un circuit intégré de photonique en silicium (PIC) qui comprend des lasers CW, des photodétecteurs et des composants optiques passifs, tout en éliminant les refroidisseurs thermoélectriques.
Des échantillons sont actuellement disponibles, avec une disponibilité générale prévue pour le 1er avril 2025.
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) hat seinen neuen 2x400G-FR4 Lite-Optiktransceiver eingeführt, ein auf Siliziumphotonik basierendes Modul, das für KI-gesteuerte Rechenzentren und Hochgeschwindigkeits-Ethernet-Netzwerke konzipiert wurde. Der Transceiver bietet eine Reichweite von 500 Metern bei reduziertem Stromverbrauch und ergänzt ihren bestehenden 800G-DR8-Transceiver.
Das neue Modul verfügt über eine wellenlängen-multiplexierte Variante, die eine bessere Faser-Effizienz als das DR8-Modell bietet. Hergestellt mit Siliziumphotonik-Technologie, integriert es einen integrierten Schaltkreis für Siliziumphotonik (PIC), der CW-Laser, Fotodetektoren und passive optische Komponenten umfasst, während thermoelectric Kühler eliminiert werden.
Proben sind derzeit verfügbar, mit einer allgemeinen Verfügbarkeit, die für den 1. April 2025 geplant ist.
- Launch of new energy-efficient optical transceiver for AI data centers
- Product offers improved fiber efficiency compared to existing 800G-DR8
- Reduced component count through silicon photonics integration
- Immediate sample availability with clear commercial launch timeline
- None.
Insights
Coherent's new 2x400G-FR4 Lite optical transceiver represents a strategic product expansion targeting the high-growth AI data center market. This silicon photonics-based module addresses the explosive demand for high-density, energy-efficient optical interconnects driven by AI and ML workloads.
The timing is particularly significant as hyperscalers and data center operators are rapidly scaling their infrastructure to handle AI computational demands. By offering both the existing 800G-DR8 and now this more fiber-efficient 2x400G-FR4 Lite variant, Coherent is positioning itself to capture market share across different deployment scenarios.
From a manufacturing perspective, the integrated silicon photonics approach reduces component count and streamlines production, potentially improving margins while lowering power consumption - a critical competitive factor as data centers face mounting energy costs and sustainability pressures.
This launch demonstrates Coherent's technological diversification strategy, maintaining competency across multiple photonics platforms (VCSEL, EML, DML, and silicon photonics) rather than betting on a single technology. This approach allows them to optimize solutions for different applications and price points, potentially expanding their addressable market within the optical communications space.
The 2x400G-FR4 Lite transceiver represents a significant technical achievement in Coherent's silicon photonics portfolio. While the 800G-DR8 uses parallel fibers, this new FR4 variant employs wavelength division multiplexing, making it considerably more fiber-efficient - critical for massive data center deployments where fiber count directly impacts infrastructure costs.
The elimination of thermoelectric coolers is particularly noteworthy, as these components typically consume substantial power and represent potential failure points in optical modules. By integrating the silicon photonics integrated circuit (PIC) with CW lasers, photodetectors, and passive optical components, Coherent has created a more reliable, lower-power solution.
The 500-meter reach capability hits the sweet spot for many data center deployments, where the majority of connections fall within this distance range. This positions the product well against both shorter-reach options that lack the necessary distance and longer-reach solutions that may carry unnecessary cost and complexity.
With AI training clusters demanding increasingly dense optical connectivity at 800G and beyond, Coherent's expanded portfolio demonstrates they understand the market's direction. The immediate availability of samples with general availability next month suggests manufacturing readiness, potentially giving them a time-to-market advantage as AI infrastructure buildouts accelerate.
PITTSBURGH, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in photonics, announces the launch of its 2x400G-FR4 Lite optical transceiver, a silicon photonics-based module optimized for AI-driven data centers and high-speed Ethernet networks. Designed for high volume deployments, this transceiver delivers 500-meter reach while significantly reducing power consumption. It complements the company’s existing 800G-DR8 transceiver, also built with silicon photonics technology, with a wavelength-multiplexed variant that is more fiber-efficient than the DR8.
The explosive growth of AI and ML workloads is driving demand for high-density, energy-efficient optical interconnects that seamlessly integrate with Ethernet-based front-end networks. The 2x400G-FR4 Lite is engineered to support these evolving architectures by providing a streamlined design that lowers power consumption through silicon photonics integration and presents an alternative to conventional EML-based solutions for shorter reaches or less demanding applications.
“The 2x400G-FR4 Lite is built with silicon photonics, reinforcing our commitment to selecting the best technology for each application,” said Dr. Lee Xu, Executive Vice President, Datacom Transceivers. “With a technology portfolio that spans vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL), electro-absorption modulated lasers (EML), directly modulated lasers (DML), and silicon photonics, we tailor our solutions to optimize performance, efficiency, and cost for each application. In this case, silicon photonics was the optimal choice.”
The 2x400G-FR4 Lite integrates a silicon photonics integrated circuit (PIC) for reduced component count and streamlined production. It includes CW lasers, photodetectors, and passive optical components. It also eliminates the need for thermoelectric coolers.
Samples of the 2x400G-FR4 Lite are available now, with general availability planned for April 1, 2025. Visit booth #1519 at OFC 2025 in San Francisco April 1-3 for more information on this and the portfolio of silicon photonics transceivers from Coherent.
About Coherent
Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.
Media Contact:
innovations@coherent.com
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