InSiGa Technologies and POET to Demonstrate Laser Driver and Optical Engine Combinations for 800G and 1.6T Optical Modules at CIOE

Rhea-AI Summary

POET Technologies and InSiGa Semiconductor Technologies have developed a groundbreaking solution for 800G and 1.6T optical modules, set to be showcased at CIOE 2024. The collaboration combines POET's 200Gx4 transmit optical engine with InSiGa's 200G/lane EML driver ISG-D9616, offering a compact and high-performance solution for next-generation bandwidth requirements in AI and datacenter applications.

Key features include:

• DC coupled 200G/lane EML driver with no need for external components
• Compact design with 0.7x0.9mm die size
• Differential input for cross-talk immunity
• Sampling available for ISG-D9616
• POET's optical engines designed for 800G FR4, DR4, and 1.6T applications

Positive

• Development of high-performance 800G and 1.6T optical module solution
• Collaboration between POET and InSiGa leveraging complementary technologies
• ISG-D9616 driver sampling to customers, indicating market readiness
• Compact design (0.7x0.9mm die size) enabling space-efficient solutions
• Optical engines designed for multiple applications (FR4, DR4, 1.6T)
• Potential for increased market share in high-bandwidth optical module segment

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The collaboration between InSiGa and POET Technologies to develop high-speed optical solutions for 800G and 1.6T modules is strategically significant but lacks immediate financial impact. While this partnership positions both companies at the forefront of next-generation optical technology, the absence of financial projections or order details limits its current market impact. The focus on 200Gbs/lane technology aligns with growing bandwidth demands in AI and data centers, potentially opening new revenue streams. However, investors should note that the product is still in the demonstration phase, with ISG-D9616 only now sampling to customers. This suggests a longer timeline for revenue realization, tempering short-term financial expectations.

Tech Expert

The technical advancements showcased by InSiGa and POET are impressive and timely. Their 200Gx4 solution, combining POET's Silicon-based optical interposer with InSiGa's DC-coupled 200G/lane EML driver, offers a compact and high-performance design important for next-gen data centers and AI applications. Key technical achievements include:

• Elimination of external components between EML and driver, enhancing performance
• Compact driver size (0.7x0.9mm)
• Cross-talk immunity at 112Gbaud/s
• Impressive eye diagram metrics (ER=4.5dB, TDECQ=2.4dB at 106Gbaud/s)

These specs position the solution competitively in the rapidly evolving high-speed optical market, potentially accelerating adoption in 800G FR4, DR4 and 1.6T applications.

Market Research Analyst

The collaboration between InSiGa and POET taps into a burgeoning market opportunity driven by AI and big data's insatiable appetite for bandwidth. The timing is strategic, as the industry shifts towards 800G and 1.6T optical modules. However, market penetration faces challenges:

• Competition from established players in the optical component space
• Potential delays in widespread 800G/1.6T adoption
• Dependency on data center upgrade cycles

The live demonstration at CIOE could generate significant industry buzz, potentially accelerating customer interest. Yet, the lack of announced partnerships with major module manufacturers or hyperscalers suggests a need for further market validation. Investors should monitor industry reception post-CIOE and any subsequent design wins to gauge the technology's market traction.

InSiGa EML laser drivers and POET optical engines produce industry-leading combination

TORONTO and SHENZHEN, CHINA, Sept. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chengdu InSiGa Semiconductor Technologies Co., Ltd. (“InSiGa”) and POET Technologies Inc. (“POET”) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), today announced that they have developed and will showcase in a live demonstration the combination of POET’s 200Gx4 transmit optical engine using InSiGa’s 200G/lane EML driver ISG-D9616 for 800G and 1.6T modules at the 2024 China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE) from September 11-13 at POET booth 11B59.

AI and big data have led to significant increase in bandwidth in recent times and this higher bandwidth requirement can be supported by next generation 800G/1.6T optical modules. 200Gbs/lane requirement is now required to achieve the highest bandwidth modules that can be used to support AI and emerging datacenter applications. POET and InSiGa have developed a unique solution for 200Gx4 applications based on POET’s revolutionary Silicon based optical interposer technology using InSiGa’s patented DC coupled 200G/lane EML driver. This approach provides the most compact solution and allows for optimal performance as no external components are required between the EML and the driver. This design is built upon the successful implementation of similar optical engines using 100G/lane EML driver ISG-D5616 used in 400G optical engines designed by POET.

ISG-D9616 is a single channel DC coupled EML driver that can be flip-chipped or wire bonded directly to the EML. This differential input and single ended output driver does not need any bias-T or capacitor between the driver and the EML. The differential input to the driver also offers cross-talk immunity especially for 112Gbaud/s applications. The driver is very compact with a die size of 0.7x0.9mm. The driver needs no external 50ohm termination for the EML making the design very simple and eliminating RF degradation due to extra bond wire inductance between the EML and the 50ohm termination. ISG-D9616 is sampling to customers now.

Measured Eye @ 106Gbaud/s
ER=4.5dB, TDECQ=2.4dB

POET’s 800G FR4 and DR4 transmit optical engines (OE) consist of high-speed externally modulated lasers (EMLs), integrated EML drivers (ISG-D9616) and optical multiplexer (for FR4) assembled on POET’s optical interposer. The drivers and lasers are flip chip attached at wafer scale and passively aligned to waveguides and multiplexer. The OEs have been designed specifically for use in 800G FR4 & 1.6T 2xFR4 and 800G DR4 & 1.6T DR8 OSFP and QSFP-DD pluggable transceivers.

“We were thrilled to work with InSiGa to be able to bring this unique combination of engine and driver to market as end-user demand for 800G optical modules is skyrocketing,” commented Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, Chairman & CEO of POET. “Both module companies and end-users want to see the path to next generation performance at 1.6T and beyond, which will be observable in the live demonstration at CIOE. The ease of implementation, product roadmap and extraordinary performance of this combined solution should garner wide attention at the show.”

“InSiGa has developed a number of platform-based products and ISG-D9616 is one such product that is derived from extensive R&D efforts spent on the 53Gbaud/s EML driver ISG-D5616. This approach allows for customers to quickly replace products for higher baud rate applications without making substantial changes to their designs. One of the major challenges working with EML based designs is cross talk and reflection related issues due to impedance mismatch with the EML. ISG-D9616 takes care of both these issues, thus allowing better performance and ease of design. We are very excited to work with POET on their Si optical interposer-based platform. The optical engines developed by POET offer customers a very compact and high-performance solution that is not easy to achieve with conventional EML based designs,” said, Dr. Vikas Manan, InSiGa Technologies CEO and Chairman.

About InSiGa Technologies
InSiGa Semiconductor Technologies Co., Ltd. (“InSiGa”) was founded in 2016 with focus on the design and development of Optoelectronic IC’s like Laser Drivers, TIA’s (Transimpedance Amplifiers) and CDR’s (Clock data recovery). InSiGa focuses on the datacenter, PON, Metro/Long haul Coherent and Telecom markets with IC speeds ranging from 2.5Gbs to 1.6Tbs.. InSiGa’s products are widely deployed in 50Gbs, 200Gbs and 400Gbs modules already. InSiGa’s core philosophy is to work closely with end customers to solve market challenges of rapidly increasing bandwidth that also demand low power and compact size. InSiGa is a fabless company, and works with fabs across the world to deliver the most optimal and innovative solutions in terms of cost and performance. More information about InSiGa is available on our website at www.insiga.com

About POET Technologies
POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical engines, light source products and custom optical modules to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers. POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET's Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems.  POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges across a broad range of communication, computing and sensing applications. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore.  More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.

Media Relations Contact: Adrian Brijbassi adrian.brijbassi@poet.tech

Company Contact: Thomas R. Mika, EVP & CFO tm@poet.tech

Forward-Looking Statements
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Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 - Fax: 416-322-5075

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/058c90e4-994a-4854-82a1-8da3dbeaa0a0

FAQ

What new product are POET Technologies and InSiGa showcasing at CIOE 2024?

POET Technologies and InSiGa are showcasing a combination of POET's 200Gx4 transmit optical engine using InSiGa's 200G/lane EML driver ISG-D9616 for 800G and 1.6T optical modules at CIOE 2024.

What are the key features of InSiGa's ISG-D9616 EML driver used in POET's optical engine?

The ISG-D9616 is a DC coupled 200G/lane EML driver with a compact 0.7x0.9mm die size, differential input for cross-talk immunity, and no need for external components between the driver and EML.

How does the POET-InSiGa solution address the needs of AI and datacenter applications?

The solution supports higher bandwidth requirements of 800G and 1.6T, which are necessary for AI and emerging datacenter applications that demand increased data transfer speeds.

When will the ISG-D9616 driver be available to customers?

The ISG-D9616 driver is currently sampling to customers, indicating it is in the final stages before full commercial availability.

What types of optical modules can POET's optical engines be used in?

POET's optical engines are designed for use in 800G FR4 & 1.6T 2xFR4 and 800G DR4 & 1.6T DR8 OSFP and QSFP-DD pluggable transceivers.