We keep hearing about building future-proof 5G and FTTH networks around the world. At the heart of these networks are data center-to-data center connections, and chip-to-chip connections.

But what exactly makes these connections and networks future-proof? The thinking is that they should be able to support ever-increasing interconnection cable speeds, to 100GB/s and beyond. The faster the speed, the better the ability to meet the insatiable data demands of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things, cloud computing, video streaming and hyper-convergence.

One of the most promising technologies in this field is optical interconnects. Unlike traditional copper-based interconnects, optical interconnects use light to transmit data over optical fibers, offering faster speeds and longer distances. Integrated optical interconnects are designed to meet the needs of low-cost, energy-efficient, high-bandwidth interconnects, especially for server communications in data centers.

As a successor technology, the benefits of optical interconnection are many. In this article, we explore the main advantages of optical interconnect technology and why it is becoming increasingly important in modern communication systems.

What does a typical optical interconnect consist of?

Imagine a bundle of fiber optic cables that connect to transceivers between different pieces of hardware. These transceivers consist of a set of lasers and detectors equipped with equipment to receive and transmit light signals. The specifications of these transceivers are also constantly changing, depending on multiple requirements: form factor, specification, speed, protocol, etc.

But that's not all. Optical interconnects also include various classes of equipment for specific applications. This includes everything from fiber optic termination and splice closures, to patch cords and complete fiber management systems. These optical interconnect products are typically designed as modular, customizable solutions that can be plugged into existing fiber optic networks to enhance their performance.

Therefore, optical interconnects connect hardware over varying degrees of distance. They can bridge long-distance data networks, or more commonly connect data centers. Optical interconnection also has applications in wired and wireless access networks. Ultimately, the main advantages that make optical interconnects so popular are low latency, improved power efficiency, and higher throughput.

6 main advantages of optical interconnection technology

1. Faster speed and larger bandwidth

More and more enterprises are turning to the cloud, and by 2025, the network traffic generated by connected devices alone will reach 79.4zb. This puts more emphasis on upgrading the capacity, speed and availability of the data center. One of the most obvious benefits of optical interconnect technology is that it enables higher bandwidth and faster data transfer speeds.

Because light travels much faster than electricity, optical interconnects can transmit data at higher speeds than traditional copper-based interconnects. In fact, modern optical interconnects can transmit data at speeds of up to 100Gbps, which is 10 times faster than traditional copper-based interconnects. With the continuous development of the advantages of optical interconnection, this speed can be further increased to 800G or even higher.

2. Distance

Distance is another important factor in communication systems. Traditional copper-based interconnects are limited in how far they can transmit data. Therefore, as bandwidth requirements increase, the signal degrades over longer distances.

Optical interconnects, however, are capable of transmitting data over longer distances without loss of signal quality. This is because optical fibers are made of glass or plastic, do not conduct electricity, and are immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). This means optical interconnects can transmit data over distances of several miles without the need for signal amplifiers or repeaters.

3. Reliable and durable

Another major advantage of optical interconnect technology is its reliability and durability. Fiber optics are made of glass or plastic and are more durable than traditional copper wires. They are also immune to EMI and RFI, which means they are less likely to be affected by external factors such as weather or power surges. This makes optical interconnects ideal for harsh environments where traditional copper-based interconnects cannot operate reliably.

4. Cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency

While the initial cost of optical interconnects may be higher than traditional copper-based interconnects, they may be more cost-effective in the long run. This is because optical interconnects have a longer lifetime than conventional copper-based interconnects.

They also have low maintenance costs and power consumption. This is because optical signals can travel longer distances without amplification, which can be achieved with low transmission power. This will yield significant savings over time. In fact, one study has demonstrated that an all-optical network in a data center can save up to 75% in energy.

5. Modularity and upgradeability

The disaggregation of the modern data center is another key paradigm unfolding before our eyes. This is also due to the impetus provided by the seamless integration of optical interconnection technology. Due to its modularity and "plug-and-play" nature, optical interconnection bundles can be flexibly plugged into existing data network infrastructure without any compatibility issues. This paves the way to support 400G, 800G and 1.6T Ethernet.

6. Reduce network overhead

Managing the growing energy and power demands of data infrastructure means reducing network overhead. This is where the smaller form factor and reduced weight fiber optic interconnects come in handy. By implementing optical interconnects, we can reduce heat dissipation and network cabling. In addition, optical interconnection is also conducive to the use of planar architecture design to further reduce network overhead.

Summarize

Optical interconnection technology continues to develop. It is estimated that by 2025, the global optical interconnection market is expected to reach 17.1 billion US dollars, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%.

One area of ​​particular interest is the potential for increased bandwidth. With the growth of Internet usage and increasing demands on data-intensive applications, the demand for bandwidth is greater than ever. The ever-increasing machine-to-machine traffic in the IoT era will further exacerbate this situation.

Another area of ​​future advantage for optical interconnects is the potential for new applications. For example, optical interconnects can be used to transmit high-resolution images in medical instruments, or to transmit large amounts of data in real time in autonomous vehicles. Optical interconnect technologies have improved short-range communications at the chip and processor level through integrated photonics.

These are just a few examples of the many possibilities offered by optical interconnects. With many businesses driving innovation in this space, we expect to see more developments in the future. Our broad portfolio of modular, plug-and-play, customizable and highly compatible optical interconnects is ready for expanded fiber deployments.