Semtech’s CopperEdge™: Low-Power 800G/1.6T Copper Solutions for AI Datacenters
Semtech (SMTC) has unveiled its CopperEdge family of active copper cable and on-board equalization technology, featuring the GN8214, GN8224, and GN8234 solutions. This breakthrough technology targets AI/ML data center deployments with significantly reduced power consumption compared to traditional DSP-based Active Electrical Cables.
Key innovations include:
- Ultra-low power consumption of less than 2W per cable end (90% lower than DSP-based AECs)
- Sub-100ps latency, offering 100x improvement over DSP-based retimers
- Extended reach performance: 800G copper cables to 5m and 1.6T copper cables to 3m
The portfolio supports both current and emerging connectivity standards, with GN8214 optimized for 112G/channel PAM4 applications (800G connectivity), while GN8224 and GN8234 target next-generation 224G/channel PAM4 deployments (1.6T connectivity).
Semtech (SMTC) ha presentato la sua famiglia di cavi in rame attivi e tecnologia di equalizzazione on-board CopperEdge, che comprende le soluzioni GN8214, GN8224 e GN8234. Questa tecnologia innovativa è progettata per le implementazioni di data center AI/ML, con un consumo energetico significativamente ridotto rispetto ai cavi elettrici attivi basati su DSP tradizionali.
Le principali innovazioni includono:
- Consumo energetico ultra-basso di meno di 2W per estremità del cavo (90% inferiore rispetto agli AEC basati su DSP)
- Latenza inferiore a 100ps, offrendo un miglioramento di 100 volte rispetto ai retimer basati su DSP
- Prestazioni di estensione: cavi in rame da 800G fino a 5m e cavi in rame da 1.6T fino a 3m
Il portafoglio supporta sia gli standard di connettività attuali che quelli emergenti, con il GN8214 ottimizzato per applicazioni PAM4 a 112G/canale (connettività 800G), mentre GN8224 e GN8234 mirano alle implementazioni PAM4 di prossima generazione a 224G/canale (connettività 1.6T).
Semtech (SMTC) ha presentado su familia de cables de cobre activos y tecnología de ecualización a bordo CopperEdge, que incluye las soluciones GN8214, GN8224 y GN8234. Esta tecnología innovadora está dirigida a implementaciones de centros de datos de IA/ML, con un consumo de energía significativamente reducido en comparación con los cables eléctricos activos basados en DSP tradicionales.
Las principales innovaciones incluyen:
- Consumo de energía ultra-bajo de menos de 2W por extremo del cable (90% menos que los AEC basados en DSP)
- Latencia inferior a 100ps, ofreciendo una mejora de 100 veces en comparación con los retimers basados en DSP
- Rendimiento de alcance extendido: cables de cobre de 800G hasta 5m y cables de cobre de 1.6T hasta 3m
El portafolio admite tanto los estándares de conectividad actuales como los emergentes, con el GN8214 optimizado para aplicaciones PAM4 de 112G/canal (conectividad 800G), mientras que GN8224 y GN8234 están dirigidos a implementaciones PAM4 de próxima generación de 224G/canal (conectividad 1.6T).
Semtech (SMTC)는 CopperEdge라는 이름의 액티브 구리 케이블과 온보드 평형 기술을 공개했습니다. 이 기술은 GN8214, GN8224 및 GN8234 솔루션을 포함합니다. 이 혁신적인 기술은 전통적인 DSP 기반 액티브 전기 케이블에 비해 전력 소비를 크게 줄여 AI/ML 데이터 센터 배치에 초점을 맞추고 있습니다.
주요 혁신 사항은 다음과 같습니다:
- 케이블 끝마다 2W 미만의 초저전력 소비 (DSP 기반 AEC보다 90% 낮음)
- 100배 향상된 DSP 기반 리타이머보다 100ps 미만의 지연 시간
- 연장 성능: 800G 구리 케이블 5m까지, 1.6T 구리 케이블 3m까지
포트폴리오는 현재 및 새로운 연결 표준을 모두 지원하며, GN8214는 112G/채널 PAM4 애플리케이션(800G 연결성)에 최적화되어 있고, GN8224 및 GN8234는 차세대 224G/채널 PAM4 배치를 목표로 하고 있습니다(1.6T 연결성).
Semtech (SMTC) a dévoilé sa famille de câbles en cuivre actifs et de technologie d'égalisation embarquée CopperEdge, comprenant les solutions GN8214, GN8224 et GN8234. Cette technologie révolutionnaire cible les déploiements de centres de données AI/ML avec une consommation d'énergie considérablement réduite par rapport aux câbles électriques actifs basés sur DSP traditionnels.
Les principales innovations incluent:
- Consommation d'énergie ultra-basse de moins de 2W par extrémité de câble (90% inférieure à celle des AEC basés sur DSP)
- Latence inférieure à 100ps, offrant une amélioration de 100 fois par rapport aux retimers basés sur DSP
- Performances d'extension : câbles en cuivre de 800G jusqu'à 5m et câbles en cuivre de 1.6T jusqu'à 3m
Le portefeuille prend en charge à la fois les normes de connectivité actuelles et émergentes, le GN8214 étant optimisé pour les applications PAM4 à 112G/canal (connectivité 800G), tandis que le GN8224 et le GN8234 ciblent les déploiements PAM4 de prochaine génération à 224G/canal (connectivité 1.6T).
Semtech (SMTC) hat seine Familie aktiver Kupferkabel und On-Board-Equalization-Technologie CopperEdge vorgestellt, zu der die Lösungen GN8214, GN8224 und GN8234 gehören. Diese bahnbrechende Technologie richtet sich an AI/ML-Datenzentrum-Implementierungen mit deutlich reduziertem Stromverbrauch im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen DSP-basierten aktiven elektrischen Kabeln.
Wichtige Innovationen umfassen:
- Ultra-niedriger Stromverbrauch von weniger als 2W pro Kabelende (90% geringer als bei DSP-basierten AECs)
- Unter 100ps Latenz, was eine 100-fache Verbesserung gegenüber DSP-basierten Retimern bietet
- Erweiterte Reichweitenleistung: 800G Kupferkabel bis 5m und 1.6T Kupferkabel bis 3m
Das Portfolio unterstützt sowohl aktuelle als auch aufkommende Konnektivitätsstandards, wobei der GN8214 für 112G/Channel PAM4-Anwendungen (800G-Konnektivität) optimiert ist, während GN8224 und GN8234 auf die nächste Generation von 224G/Channel PAM4-Implementierungen (1.6T-Konnektivität) abzielen.
- 90% power consumption reduction compared to existing solutions
- 100x latency improvement over current technology
- Extended reach capabilities for both 800G and 1.6T connectivity
- Comprehensive ecosystem with multiple cable OEM partners ensuring supply chain resilience
- None.
Insights
Semtech's new CopperEdge product line represents a strategic entry into the high-growth AI data center connectivity market, directly addressing critical bottlenecks in AI infrastructure deployments. By focusing on power efficiency (90% lower than DSP-based alternatives) and ultra-low latency (sub-100ps), Semtech has positioned itself at the intersection of two major industry trends: exploding AI workloads and data center power constraints.
This technology specifically targets the physical interconnect layer of AI compute clusters, where traditional solutions force painful tradeoffs between performance, distance, and power consumption. The extended reach capabilities (5m for 800G and 3m for 1.6T) address a critical gap between short-reach direct attach copper cables and power-hungry active electrical cables, creating a new middle-ground option that previously didn't exist.
The announcement demonstrates Semtech's ability to leverage its signal integrity expertise into adjacent high-value markets beyond its traditional segments. With an established ecosystem of cable OEM partners already in place, the company has addressed potential supply chain and adoption barriers. The timing aligns perfectly with hyperscalers' aggressive AI infrastructure buildouts, positioning Semtech to capture share in a market segment experiencing exponential growth due to unprecedented AI infrastructure investments.
Next-generation active copper technology delivers breakthrough power efficiency and latency optimization for AI/ML infrastructure
Semtech’s CopperEdge™: Low-Power 800G/1.6T Copper Solutions for AI Datacenters
“As AI workloads drive exponential growth in data center bandwidth requirements, the industry faces critical power and thermal challenges,” said Brian Bentham, data center market manager at Semtech. “CopperEdge represents a paradigm shift in connectivity, delivering the signal integrity and reach extension needed for next-generation AI clusters while dramatically reducing power consumption and implementation complexity compared to DSP-based options. With our proven production capabilities, Semtech continues to lead the market in delivering high-performance connectivity solutions for today’s most advanced data centers.”
Semtech’s comprehensive ecosystem approach brings together multiple cable OEM partners, ensuring robust supply chain resilience and consistent product quality at scale. This established partner network enables rapid adoption of CopperEdge technology across diverse AI/ML deployments while maintaining the rigorous performance and reliability standards demanded by hyperscale data centers.
CopperEdge: Enabling the Future of AI Infrastructure
The CopperEdge portfolio supports both current and emerging connectivity standards, with the GN8214 optimized for 112G/channel PAM4 applications (enabling 800G connectivity), while the GN8224 and GN8234 target next-generation 224G/channel PAM4 deployments (supporting1.6T connectivity).
Breakthrough Technical Innovations
-
Ultra-low power: Less than 2W per cable end power consumption—
90% lower than DSP-based AECs—enabling denser AI/ML deployments within existing data power envelopes. - Ultra-low latency: Sub-100ps latency delivers over 100x improvement compared to higher latency DSP-based retimers, critical for distributed AI training.
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Extended reach performance
- 800G copper cables to 5m.
- 1.6T copper cables to 3m.
- Enhanced PCB trace length for both 112G/channel and 224G/channel designs.
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Optimized for AI/ML deployments
- Reduced cable diameter improves airflow/cooling in dense compute clusters.
- Seamless compatibility with existing 100G/channel and 200G/channel infrastructure in data centers.
- Simplified deployment versus DSP-based retimers.
The CopperEdge family includes:
- GN8214: 4-channel 112G/channel PAM4 linear equalizer supporting 800G ACC and on-board applications.
- GN8224 / GN8234: Advanced 4-channel 224G/channel PAM4 cable equalizers supporting 1.6T ACC and on-board applications.
Learn more about Semtech’s high-performance optical, analog and mixed-signal IC signal integrity solutions at www.semtech.com/optical.
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About Semtech
Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC) is a leading provider of high-performance semiconductor, Internet of Things (IoT) systems and cloud connectivity service solutions dedicated to delivering high-quality technology that enables a smarter, more connected, and sustainable planet. Our global teams are committed to empowering solution architects and application developers to develop breakthrough products for the infrastructure, industrial and consumer markets. To learn more about Semtech technology, visit us at Semtech.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X.
Semtech and the Semtech logo, are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation or its subsidiaries, and CopperEdge is a trademark or service mark of Semtech Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks and trade names mentioned may be marks and names of their respective companies.
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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402075815/en/
Michelle Lozada, pr@semtech.com
Source: Semtech Corporation
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