Broadcom samples 400G/lane optical DSP for 1.6T AI transceivers

Broadcom has introduced Taurus BCM83640, a 3 nm optical PAM-4 DSP built for 400G per lane serial optical interfaces and aimed at 1.6T pluggable transceiver modules for AI data center networks. The company is calling it the first 400G/lane optical DSP, with the pitch centered on bandwidth density and power for next-generation high-speed optics.

Taurus BCM83640 is a monolithic 1.6T (8:4) PAM-4 DSP with an integrated laser driver. Broadcom lists interoperability with its 400G EML and PD, and says the device is compliant with IEEE and OIF standards, including support for LR links on the chip-to-module electrical interface. Broadcom also says the DSP supports optical modules ranging from 1.6T to 3.2T.

Moving to 400G per lane is fundamentally about getting more bandwidth without increasing lane count, which is one of the few practical knobs left when front-panel density, power, and thermal headroom are already tight. If the ecosystem lands on stable interoperability and manufacturable optics at acceptable yields, higher per-lane rates can translate into fewer modules, fewer fibers, and less power per transported bit for a given network build-out. But it also raises the bar for signal integrity, module thermal design, and end-to-end validation at the switch and optics interface.

Broadcom ties the 400G/lane step to higher switch and module generations, stating that 1.6T pluggables based on Taurus can double bandwidth per optical lane and “effectively” enable 102.4T switching capacity in a 1RU system. It also frames 400G/lane optical interfaces as groundwork for 3.2T modules and 204.8T switches using 400G/lane electrical interfaces.

“Taurus, the industry’s first 1.6T DSP based on 400G/lane I/O, doubles the throughput per lane to enable the next generation of 3.2T optical modules,” said Vijay Janapaty, vice president and general manager of Broadcom’s Physical Layer Products Division. “Crucially, Taurus pushes the IMDD technology envelope into 400G/lane, further reducing power and advancing our roadmap of cost-optimized solutions for connectivity in AI and cloud networks.”

Broadcom says it has begun sampling Taurus BCM83640 to early access customers and partners, and that samples and pricing are available through Broadcom sales channels. More information is posted at broadcom.com.