As bandwidth demand accelerates and power consumption issues become more acute, the emergence of Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) has become a welcome technology. LPO is a technology that creates low-power optical modules for ultra-short-reach data center connections by removing the complex DSP (Digital Signal Processor) chip from the module. This design reduces power consumption, cost, and latency, making it ideal for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers. Industry standards groups have focused on two main developments: electrical interface standards and testing and optical link performance and deployment. The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) is moving forward with electrical interface standards while the LPO Multi-Source Agreement (LPO MSA) is addressing optical link performance and deployment challenges. In this podcast, we talked with Mark Kimber, the senior principal product definition specialist for Semtech. Here’s a timeline of the episode:

Opening

0:05 Host introduces guests Broadband Pulse host Sean Buckley introduced Kimber to the program.

0:38 LPO’s emergence Mark Kimber addresses emergence of LPO and Semtech’s role.

1:54 The LPO Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) How the new LPO MSA is establishing a specification and a methodology to make LPO work.

3:40 LPO standards efforts How the LPO MSA and the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) call for creating optical and electrical standards.

4:56 Semtech’s direct edge portfolio Semtech’s LPO platforms can help data center providers accommodate AI’s new power, latency and size requirements.

6:31 LPO plug and play operations Plug-and-play is key to help simplify large data center operations and management.

11:04 OIF’s Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) role CMIS manages the LPO module's diagnostic capabilities, including monitoring the optical and electrical interfaces. 11:35 200G per lane technology How LPO can save power at higher speeds like 200G per lane. 14:10 Final Thoughts/Closing Mark Kimber offers his final thoughts on LPO.

About our guest Mark Kimber is the Principal Product Definition Specialist at Semtech Corporation. Mark received the BE (Elect) degree from the University of Queensland in 1984. Since then, he has worked on research and product development at GEC Hirst Research Centre, STC Laboratories, Bell Northern Research, Nortel, Bookham, Gennum and Semtech. Mark currently works on product definition for Semtech products and is a contributor to various standards groups.

About the Podcast In the Lightwave+BTR Broadband Pulse podcast, we address the key issues affecting the optical and broadband industry segments. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and our podcast site at www.broadbandpulse.podbean.com.