ECOC 2024 showcases latest developments in optical communications

The annual ECOC Conference and collocated ECOC Exhibition have this week been taking place in Frankfurt, Germany. The 50th edition of the conference showcases the latest developments in optical communications, alongside a social program allowing delegates to network. The exhibition features more than 300 companies presenting the latest technologies (click for full list).

Selected program highlights

• 8 in-depth tutorials, 52 invited presentations, 451 contributed papers as well post-deadline paper sessions featuring the latest breakthrough results.
• 14 workshops on hot topics in the community, covering optical as well as quantum communication in fiber and free-space, addressing the device, system and network level.
• Symposia on 50 years of ECOC, optical networking, optical satellite, green ICT and data-centre challenges.
• A demo session covering proof of concepts and early prototype developments that can be seen as a link between the scientific conference and the business-driven exhibition.
• A session debating the innovation potential of quantum technologies.
• Women in Photonics; and
• Photonics in Germany.

Following is selection of announcements of new products and technologies that have been made this week at ECOC in Frankfurt:

Trumpf Photonic Components and Optomind are presenting a 100Gbps VCSEL. "We are delighted to have achieved a solid performance of 800Gbps in our transceiver, leveraging innovative optics technology and Trumpf's improved 100Gbps/ch VCSEL," said Yung Son, Chief Marketing Officer of Optomind.

With increasing demand for multichannel high-speed data transmission in AI/ML-based hyperscale cloud computing space, 800 Gbps data rate at 100Gbps per lane and beyond is essential. "We are pleased with continuing collaboration with Optomind to demonstrate the performance of our VCSEL at PAM4 112Gbps/ch in their transceiver, which validates the use of it in a real-world application," said Ralph Gudde, Trumpf's Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

"A full-featured version with enhanced technology for superior performance over longer link transmission, and at higher temperatures, is nearing the release this year," Gudde said.

Advanced optical data communication systems benefit from the high-speed data transmission, which the VCSEL-based technology offers. Trumpf continues to invest heavily in its technology for higher data rates and is offering both VCSELs and photodiodes as a matching pair solution in various layouts like singlets, 1x2, 1x4, 1x8 and/or 1x12 arrays.

The VCSELs are designed to meet the demands of data centers including for AI/ML, high-performance computing, and other bandwidth-intensive applications, as they deliver stable and reliable data transmission at high speeds.

Jabil, headquartered in Saint Petersburg, FL, a developer of supply chain solutions, has announced its continued investment in silicon photonics-based products and capabilities to support the increasing demands of hyperscalers and next-wave cloud and AI data center growth.

The company is set to roll out additional capabilities at its Ottawa, Canada, site in Q4, 2024, to support customers' advanced photonics packaging new product introductions.

The new product introduction line will feature innovative capabilities designed to assist photonics customers quickly scale from proof of concept to mass production, such as fluxless flip-chip, fiber attachment, precise die bonding, and wire bonding. These advancements will support SiPh chip packaging, particularly in high-speed connectivity applications such as co-packaged optics and high-speed on-board connections.

"The expansion of our Ottawa site is a game-changer for Jabil. This facility will enable us to meet the growing demands for advanced photonics solutions tailored to AI and next-generation data centers," comented Matt Crowley, Executive VP, Global Business Units.