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Optica Executive Forum 2026 Complete CTO Panel, Recorded March 16th 2026
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Professionals in the optical networking and data center industries interested in future technology trends and challenges.
TL;DR
CTOs from leading companies discuss the future of optical interconnects in AI data centers. Key topics include advancements in pluggable transceivers, the rise of CPO and NPO, and the role of optical circuit switches in scaling infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- The industry is seeing significant investment and M&A activity in silicon photonics, with companies like GlobalFoundries expanding their capabilities and supply chains.
- Standardization efforts, such as CPX and OCI, are crucial for the optical ecosystem to meet the massive scale of upcoming ramps, especially with CPO adoption.
- AI data centers are driving demand for advanced interconnect solutions, making optics central to the performance of these massive supercomputers.
- New pluggable transceiver form factors and technologies like gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, and silicon photonics are essential for increasing bandwidth density.
- CPO and NPO technologies are expected to evolve with various architectural implementations, offering flexibility and potentially improved energy efficiency and reliability.
- Optical circuit switches are being developed to add significant flexibility to AI data center architectures.
- Beyond 400 gig, potential future solutions like micro ED, micro vixel, and micro ring are being explored, each with distinct advantages and challenges.
- The transition to higher data rates requires advancements in both optical and electrical channel technologies, with LPO and TRO being key considerations.
In This Video
- 00:00Optica Executive Forum Highlights
Introduction to the Optica Executive Forum at OFC, featuring key industry sponsors and discussions.
- 00:33CTO Panel Introduction and Moderator
The program continues with a CTO panel, featuring top industry leaders in a fireside chat format.
- 01:54GlobalFoundries: Momentum and Expansion
Greg discusses GF's momentum, including investments in advanced packaging, silicon photonics, and strategic acquisitions.
- 05:27Coherent: Excitement for Optical Interconnects
Julie Yang expresses excitement for optical interconnects, pluggable transceivers, CPO, NPO, and optical circuit switches.
- 07:33Engineering Perspective on AI Data Centers
Hong provides a realistic engineering view on AI data center networks, pluggables, CPO, and future solutions.
- 09:17Future Solutions Beyond 400 Gig
Discussion on potential solutions beyond 400 gig, including micro ED, micro vixel, and micro ring technologies.