Lumentum Optical Circuit Switch to Improve Next-Generation AI Data Center Scalability
Lumentum (LITE) has announced its R300 optical circuit switch (OCS) with 300x300 ports is currently sampling with multiple hyperscale customers, with general availability expected in second half of 2025. The breakthrough solution aims to enhance AI clusters and intra-data-center networks scalability.
The R300 OCS leverages Lumentum's MEMS optical switching technology, backed by over 1 trillion field mirror operating hours and hundreds of patents. The company estimates its OCS can reduce overall AI data center network power consumption by 65% or more in 100K-scale GPU deployments compared to traditional solutions.
Key benefits include: significant power savings, 5X to 10X lower latency versus Ethernet switching, ultra-wideband capability across O, C, or L optical bands, superior signal integrity, and enhanced reliability. According to Cignal AI, the OCS market is projected to surpass $1B by 2028, driven by AI and cloud network advancements.
Lumentum (LITE) ha annunciato il suo interruttore ottico R300 (OCS) con porte 300x300, attualmente in fase di campionamento con diversi clienti hyperscale, con disponibilità generale prevista per la seconda metà del 2025. Questa soluzione innovativa mira a migliorare la scalabilità dei cluster AI e delle reti intra-data center.
L'OCS R300 sfrutta la tecnologia di commutazione ottica MEMS di Lumentum, supportata da oltre 1 trilione di ore di funzionamento dei mirror in campo e centinaia di brevetti. L'azienda stima che il suo OCS possa ridurre il consumo energetico complessivo delle reti dei data center AI di 65% o più in implementazioni GPU su scala 100K rispetto alle soluzioni tradizionali.
I principali vantaggi includono: significativi risparmi energetici, latenza inferiore da 5 a 10 volte rispetto alla commutazione Ethernet, capacità ultra-larga banda attraverso le bande ottiche O, C o L, integrità del segnale superiore e affidabilità migliorata. Secondo Cignal AI, il mercato degli OCS è previsto superare 1 miliardo di dollari entro il 2028, trainato dai progressi nelle reti AI e cloud.
Lumentum (LITE) ha anunciado su interruptor óptico R300 (OCS) con puertos 300x300, que actualmente está en fase de muestreo con varios clientes hyperscale, con disponibilidad general esperada para la segunda mitad de 2025. Esta solución innovadora tiene como objetivo mejorar la escalabilidad de los clústeres de IA y las redes intra-centro de datos.
El OCS R300 aprovecha la tecnología de conmutación óptica MEMS de Lumentum, respaldada por más de 1 billón de horas de funcionamiento de espejos en el campo y cientos de patentes. La empresa estima que su OCS puede reducir el consumo total de energía de la red del centro de datos de IA en 65% o más en implementaciones de GPU a escala de 100K en comparación con soluciones tradicionales.
Los beneficios clave incluyen: ahorros significativos de energía, latencia de 5 a 10 veces menor en comparación con la conmutación Ethernet, capacidad de ultra-banda ancha en las bandas ópticas O, C o L, integridad de señal superior y mayor fiabilidad. Según Cignal AI, se proyecta que el mercado de OCS superará $1B para 2028, impulsado por avances en redes de IA y en la nube.
루멘텀 (LITE)은 300x300 포트를 갖춘 R300 광 회로 스위치(OCS)를 발표했으며, 현재 여러 하이퍼스케일 고객과 샘플링 중이며, 2025년 하반기에 일반 가용성이 예상됩니다. 이 혁신적인 솔루션은 AI 클러스터 및 데이터 센터 내부 네트워크의 확장성을 향상시키는 것을 목표로 합니다.
R300 OCS는 루멘텀의 MEMS 광 스위칭 기술을 활용하며, 1조 시간 이상의 현장 미러 운영 시간과 수백 개의 특허로 뒷받침됩니다. 이 회사는 OCS가 전통적인 솔루션에 비해 100K 규모의 GPU 배포에서 AI 데이터 센터 네트워크의 전체 전력 소비를 65% 이상 줄일 수 있다고 추정하고 있습니다.
주요 이점으로는: 상당한 전력 절약, 이더넷 스위칭에 비해 5배에서 10배 낮은 지연 시간, O, C 또는 L 광대역에서의 초광대역 기능, 우수한 신호 무결성 및 향상된 신뢰성이 포함됩니다. Cignal AI에 따르면, OCS 시장은 AI 및 클라우드 네트워크 발전에 힘입어 2028년까지 10억 달러를 초과할 것으로 예상됩니다.
Lumentum (LITE) a annoncé son commutateur de circuit optique R300 (OCS) avec des ports 300x300, actuellement en phase d'échantillonnage avec plusieurs clients hyperscale, une disponibilité générale étant attendue dans la seconde moitié de 2025. Cette solution révolutionnaire vise à améliorer l'évolutivité des clusters d'IA et des réseaux intra-centres de données.
L'OCS R300 utilise la technologie de commutation optique MEMS de Lumentum, soutenue par plus de 1 trillion d'heures de fonctionnement de miroirs sur le terrain et des centaines de brevets. L'entreprise estime que son OCS peut réduire la consommation d'énergie totale des réseaux de centres de données d'IA de 65% ou plus dans des déploiements GPU à l'échelle de 100K par rapport aux solutions traditionnelles.
Les principaux avantages incluent : des économies d'énergie significatives, une latence de 5 à 10 fois inférieure par rapport à la commutation Ethernet, une capacité ultra-large bande dans les bandes optiques O, C ou L, une intégrité du signal supérieure et une fiabilité accrue. Selon Cignal AI, le marché des OCS devrait dépasser 1 milliard de dollars d'ici 2028, soutenu par les avancées dans les réseaux d'IA et de cloud.
Lumentum (LITE) hat seinen R300 optischen Schaltkreis-Switch (OCS) mit 300x300 Ports angekündigt, der derzeit mit mehreren Hyperscale-Kunden getestet wird, wobei die allgemeine Verfügbarkeit für die zweite Hälfte von 2025 erwartet wird. Die bahnbrechende Lösung zielt darauf ab, die Skalierbarkeit von KI-Clustern und intra-Datenzentrum-Netzwerken zu verbessern.
Der R300 OCS nutzt die MEMS optische Schalttechnologie von Lumentum, die auf über 1 Billion Stunden Betrieb von Spiegeln im Feld und Hunderte von Patenten zurückgreift. Das Unternehmen schätzt, dass sein OCS den gesamten Energieverbrauch von KI-Datenzentrum-Netzwerken um 65% oder mehr bei 100K-GPU-Implementierungen im Vergleich zu traditionellen Lösungen reduzieren kann.
Zu den Hauptvorteilen gehören: erhebliche Energieeinsparungen, 5 bis 10 Mal geringere Latenz im Vergleich zur Ethernet-Schaltung, ultra-breitbandfähigkeiten in den optischen Bändern O, C oder L, überlegene Signalqualität und verbesserte Zuverlässigkeit. Laut Cignal AI wird der OCS-Markt voraussichtlich bis 2028 über 1 Milliarde USD überschreiten, angetrieben durch Fortschritte in KI- und Cloud-Netzwerken.
- Significant power efficiency: 65% reduction in AI data center network power consumption
- Strong market potential with OCS market projected to reach $1B by 2028
- Superior performance metrics: 5X-10X lower latency vs traditional solutions
- Proven technology backed by 1 trillion field mirror operating hours
- Multiple hyperscale customers already sampling the product
- Product won't be generally available until second half of 2025
- Faces competition from established Ethernet-based infrastructures
Insights
Lumentum's entry into the optical circuit switch (OCS) market represents a strategic positioning in the rapidly growing AI infrastructure sector. The timing is particularly opportune as hyperscalers increasingly seek power-efficient solutions for massive AI deployments.
The market opportunity is substantial, with Cignal AI projecting the OCS market to exceed
Customer traction indicators are positive, with multiple hyperscalers already sampling the technology ahead of its H2 2025 general availability. This suggests the product meets genuine market needs. Lumentum's established expertise in MEMS technology provides a competitive advantage through its extensive patent portfolio and trillion-plus hours of field experience.
While revenue impact won't materialize until late 2025, this announcement positions Lumentum to participate in the structural growth of AI infrastructure spending. The company appears to be executing a deliberate diversification strategy beyond its traditional telecom markets into higher-growth segments with differentiated technology.
Lumentum's R300 OCS targets a critical bottleneck in AI infrastructure scaling. Traditional electrical switching architectures struggle with the massive east-west traffic patterns of distributed AI training clusters, creating inefficiencies in power consumption and latency.
The technical advantages are compelling. The 5-10X latency reduction compared to Ethernet switching addresses a key performance constraint in AI workloads where communication delays between GPUs directly impact training efficiency. The ultra-wideband capability across O, C, and L optical bands provides future-proofing that liquid crystal-based competitors cannot match.
What's particularly noteworthy is Lumentum's approach to stability. By eliminating closed loop control requirements, their proprietary MEMS technology reduces system complexity while preventing dither noise issues that plague alternative solutions. This translates to more reliable operations in hyperscale environments.
The modular design with redundant components aligns with hyperscalers' requirements for fault tolerance and serviceability. The
- Proven MEMS-based technology optimized for high reliability, performance, and increased AI data center scalability
- Lumentum R300 OCS 300x300 port product currently being sampled by multiple customers
- General availability expected in second half of 2025
“Lumentum has a long-standing track record of optical innovation and deep expertise in MEMS optical switching technology that provides a distinct advantage in delivering a high-quality OCS product for AI infrastructure,” said Wupen Yuen, Lumentum president of Cloud and Networking. “Feedback from customers has been very positive, due to its ability to improve network reliability and performance, including substantial reductions in data center network power consumption. This product adds to our broad portfolio of innovative photonic solutions that increase AI data center scalability.”
The Lumentum OCS leverages decades of engineering expertise in developing and deploying high-performance, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology in demanding telecom applications. Based on over 1 trillion field mirror operating hours and a proven portfolio with hundreds of patents, the OCS is designed to provide high reliability and performance.
As hyperscalers scale AI infrastructure to meet surging demand, optical switching offers a power-efficient, cost-effective, and reliable alternative to traditional Ethernet-based architectures. Lumentum estimates that adopting its OCS can reduce overall AI data center network power consumption by
"As multiple hyperscale operators and AI hardware vendors now dedicate significant resources to improving the scaling of AI systems, OCS components are becoming a critical technology for success," said Scott Wilkinson, lead analyst at Cignal AI. "These operators and vendors will adopt the technology on different timelines, and they will ultimately drive the widespread adoption of OCS as a superior alternative to electrical switching in certain parts of the network."
Key Benefits of the Lumentum OCS
Major advantages include:
- Significant power savings. Reduces power consumption, compared to traditional Ethernet-based infrastructures.
- Ultra-low latency. Eliminates OEO conversion, reducing latency by 5X to 10X versus Ethernet switching.
- Ultra-wideband capability. Unlike liquid crystal-based switches, MEMS technology operates seamlessly across the O, C, or L optical bands, making it a future-proof solution for next-generation transmission technologies.
- Superior signal integrity. Low insertion and return loss, along with minimal polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD), ensure exceptional optical performance.
- Exceptional stability. Lumentum’s proprietary MEMS technology eliminates the need for closed loop control, reducing system complexity, while preventing dither noise – unwanted oscillations that can degrade signal performance.
- Enhanced reliability and availability. A modular design with redundant power supplies, fans and easily replaceable control electronics minimizes potential downtime.
About Lumentum
Lumentum (NASDAQ: LITE) is a market-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products enabling optical networking and laser applications worldwide. Lumentum optical components and subsystems are part of virtually every type of telecom, enterprise, and data center network. Lumentum lasers enable advanced manufacturing techniques and diverse applications, including next-generation 3D sensing capabilities. Lumentum is headquartered in
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Lumentum Contact Information:
Investors: Kathy Ta, 408-750-3853; investor.relations@lumentum.com
Media: Noël Bilodeau, 408-439-2140, media@lumentum.com
Source: Lumentum
FAQ
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