Aloe Semiconductor has unveiled an advanced optical communication module capable of transmitting 850 gigabits per second per fiber pair, marking a significant breakthrough in network infrastructure technology. The demonstration at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference showcases a novel approach to increasing data transmission capacity without requiring new silicon infrastructure.
The innovative module combines dual polarization (DP) and bi-directional (BiDi) technologies, effectively quadrupling fiber capacity and addressing critical limitations in optical escape and cabling density. By utilizing different wavelengths (1271 nm and 1311 nm) for simultaneous bi-directional transmission, the technology represents a promising solution for high-speed, compact network design.
The single-chip silicon-photonic integrated circuit (PIC) developed by Aloe Semiconductor integrates both transmitter and receiver components, utilizing a Broadcom Sian 2 digital-signal processor and Eoptolink module. This design not only increases transmission speeds but also potentially reduces power consumption and infrastructure costs.
CEO Christopher Doerr highlighted the technology's future potential, suggesting that subsequent developments could enable transmission speeds up to 1.6 terabits per fiber pair by incorporating 200-Gbaud technology. The demonstration signals a significant step toward more efficient and high-performance optical communication systems.
