Coherent Expands Its Portfolio of Silicon Photonics Transceivers for Data Centers With 2x400G-FR4 Lite
Rhea-AI Summary
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) has launched its new 2x400G-FR4 Lite optical transceiver, a silicon photonics-based module designed for AI-driven data centers and high-speed Ethernet networks. The transceiver offers 500-meter reach with reduced power consumption, complementing their existing 800G-DR8 transceiver.
The new module features a wavelength-multiplexed variant that provides better fiber efficiency than the DR8 model. Built with silicon photonics technology, it integrates a silicon photonics integrated circuit (PIC) that includes CW lasers, photodetectors, and passive optical components, while eliminating thermoelectric coolers.
Samples are currently available, with general availability scheduled for April 1, 2025.
Positive
- Launch of new energy-efficient optical transceiver for AI data centers
- Product offers improved fiber efficiency compared to existing 800G-DR8
- Reduced component count through silicon photonics integration
- Immediate sample availability with clear commercial launch timeline
Negative
- None.
Insights
Coherent's new 2x400G-FR4 Lite optical transceiver represents a strategic product expansion targeting the high-growth AI data center market. This silicon photonics-based module addresses the explosive demand for high-density, energy-efficient optical interconnects driven by AI and ML workloads.
The timing is particularly significant as hyperscalers and data center operators are rapidly scaling their infrastructure to handle AI computational demands. By offering both the existing 800G-DR8 and now this more fiber-efficient 2x400G-FR4 Lite variant, Coherent is positioning itself to capture market share across different deployment scenarios.
From a manufacturing perspective, the integrated silicon photonics approach reduces component count and streamlines production, potentially improving margins while lowering power consumption - a critical competitive factor as data centers face mounting energy costs and sustainability pressures.
This launch demonstrates Coherent's technological diversification strategy, maintaining competency across multiple photonics platforms (VCSEL, EML, DML, and silicon photonics) rather than betting on a single technology. This approach allows them to optimize solutions for different applications and price points, potentially expanding their addressable market within the optical communications space.
The 2x400G-FR4 Lite transceiver represents a significant technical achievement in Coherent's silicon photonics portfolio. While the 800G-DR8 uses parallel fibers, this new FR4 variant employs wavelength division multiplexing, making it considerably more fiber-efficient - critical for massive data center deployments where fiber count directly impacts infrastructure costs.
The elimination of thermoelectric coolers is particularly noteworthy, as these components typically consume substantial power and represent potential failure points in optical modules. By integrating the silicon photonics integrated circuit (PIC) with CW lasers, photodetectors, and passive optical components, Coherent has created a more reliable, lower-power solution.
The 500-meter reach capability hits the sweet spot for many data center deployments, where the majority of connections fall within this distance range. This positions the product well against both shorter-reach options that lack the necessary distance and longer-reach solutions that may carry unnecessary cost and complexity.
With AI training clusters demanding increasingly dense optical connectivity at 800G and beyond, Coherent's expanded portfolio demonstrates they understand the market's direction. The immediate availability of samples with general availability next month suggests manufacturing readiness, potentially giving them a time-to-market advantage as AI infrastructure buildouts accelerate.
PITTSBURGH, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in photonics, announces the launch of its 2x400G-FR4 Lite optical transceiver, a silicon photonics-based module optimized for AI-driven data centers and high-speed Ethernet networks. Designed for high volume deployments, this transceiver delivers 500-meter reach while significantly reducing power consumption. It complements the company’s existing 800G-DR8 transceiver, also built with silicon photonics technology, with a wavelength-multiplexed variant that is more fiber-efficient than the DR8.
The explosive growth of AI and ML workloads is driving demand for high-density, energy-efficient optical interconnects that seamlessly integrate with Ethernet-based front-end networks. The 2x400G-FR4 Lite is engineered to support these evolving architectures by providing a streamlined design that lowers power consumption through silicon photonics integration and presents an alternative to conventional EML-based solutions for shorter reaches or less demanding applications.
“The 2x400G-FR4 Lite is built with silicon photonics, reinforcing our commitment to selecting the best technology for each application,” said Dr. Lee Xu, Executive Vice President, Datacom Transceivers. “With a technology portfolio that spans vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL), electro-absorption modulated lasers (EML), directly modulated lasers (DML), and silicon photonics, we tailor our solutions to optimize performance, efficiency, and cost for each application. In this case, silicon photonics was the optimal choice.”
The 2x400G-FR4 Lite integrates a silicon photonics integrated circuit (PIC) for reduced component count and streamlined production. It includes CW lasers, photodetectors, and passive optical components. It also eliminates the need for thermoelectric coolers.
Samples of the 2x400G-FR4 Lite are available now, with general availability planned for April 1, 2025. Visit booth #1519 at OFC 2025 in San Francisco April 1-3 for more information on this and the portfolio of silicon photonics transceivers from Coherent.
About Coherent
Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.
Media Contact:
innovations@coherent.com
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