Broadcom announces complete end-to-end optical PAM-4 platform

The portfolio includes:

Industry Leading 56Gb/s PAM-4 PHY ICs

• High performance PAM-4 codec with FEC capability
• Robust 56Gb/s PAM-4 core used for 40G, 2x50G, 4x50G and 8x50G applications

Field Proven 56Gb/s VCSEL and PD Components

• Leading edge laser and photodiode (PD) technologies
• High volume manufacturing process

High Performance Laser Driver and TIA ICs

• High efficiency laser driver with pre-emphasis function
• Ultra low power and low distortion transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with equaliser

Micro Optics Lenses

• Unique parallel optics leveraging in-house wafer-based lithography and high precision glass-etching capabilities
• High quality multi-channel lenses for 2x50G, 4x50G and 8x50G applications

Broadcom will demonstrate multiple products based on its 56Gb/s PAM-4 PHY and VCSEL technologies and showcase the latest platform of optics and ICs designed for 40GbE, 100GbE, 200GbE and 400GbE data centre interconnects in the Broadcom Booth 1264 at the Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) 2016 exhibition in Anaheim, California from March 22^nd to 24^th.

“As the data centre interconnects transition to 100GbE and beyond, having a robust 56Gbps PAM-4 PHY is critical to supporting next gen transceivers to meet the increased demand for higher data bandwidth. Leveraging industry-leading PAM-4 technology with unique in-house complementary core competencies, Broadcom now provides the complete optical PAM-4 platform enabling networking equipment OEMs and transceiver module makers to accelerate the development of 40/100/200/400GbE solutions,” said Lorenzo Longo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Physical Layer Products Division, Broadcom.

“With a rich heritage of fiber optic innovation and a proven track record of delivering highly-differentiated optical components for data center and enterprise networking applications, Broadcom has long been in the forefront of advancing data centre interconnects to enable high bandwidth data delivery. Equipped with the industry’s most advanced optics and IC solutions, Broadcom is best positioned to support the new signaling and drive next gen transceivers for 40/100/200/400GbE data centre interconnects,” said Mitchell Fields, Vice President and General Manager of the Fiber Optics Products Division, Broadcom.

“Server speeds in hyperscale data centres are accelerating quickly,” remarked Dale Murray, Principal Analyst for LightCounting Market Research. “As we now witness the ramp of optical transceivers based on 25Gb/s optical technology, the new Broadcom 56Gb/s optical components and PAM-4 ICs will set the stage to support the next higher speeds showing up on the Ethernet roadmap.”