Avicena ships 1 Tbps microLED optical interconnect evaluation kits for AI links

Avicena has started shipping 1 Tbps LightBundle evaluation kits to customers and partners working on next-generation AI infrastructure, bringing its microLED-based optical interconnect platform into customer labs at terabit-class operation.

The LightBundle eKit uses a 335-channel microLED transmitter array, with each channel operating up to 3 Gbps. The microLED array is coupled through an Avicena multicore fiber bundle to a 335-element integrated photodiode array, for up to 1 Tbps of aggregate raw throughput.

For data center and system architects, the headline spec isn’t just “1 Tbps,” it’s the packaging approach: many parallel optical channels aimed at bandwidth density, and a reach profile intended to go beyond practical copper limits for short-reach, high-bandwidth links. The kit is targeted at both AI scale-in and scale-up connectivity, including XPU-to-XPU, XPU-to-memory, XPU-to-CPU, and XPU-to-switch links.

Avicena describes the LightBundle architecture as “laser-free,” using dense microLED transmitter arrays and integrated photodetector arrays connected by a multi-core fiber bundle. The company points to low power, high bandwidth density, and operation at elevated temperatures as key attributes of the approach.

The evaluation kit is positioned as a lab platform for characterizing link behavior. Avicena lists host interface boards, integrated diagnostics, and a graphical user interface, along with support for measuring optical signal integrity, link budgets, eye quality, crosstalk, power efficiency, and bit error rate performance.

“LightBundle addresses the bandwidth density, power, reliability, reach and cost requirements that are critical for scale-in and scale-up links, such as XPU-to-XPU, XPU-to-memory, XPU-to-CPU and XPU-to-switch connectivity,” Avicena CEO Marco Chisari said.

“Providing AI infrastructure developers with a practical terabit-class platform enables them to evaluate microLED technology for demanding XPU-to-XPU, XPU-to-memory, and XPU-to-switch links,” said Bob Wheeler, Analyst at Large at LightCounting.

Avicena is shipping the 1 Tbps LightBundle eKits now. A recorded demonstration video is available on YouTube, and Avicena lists contact information on its website at avicena.tech.