Kyocera has developed a pluggable optoelectronic module in its OPTINITY series that supports the PCIe 6.0 standard, using an OSFP-XD form factor. The company says the module is aimed at optical PCIe interconnects for data centers, with the goal of enabling higher-speed, higher-capacity links while reducing power versus longer electrical runs that can require retimers.
Kyocera describes the module as supporting PCIe 6.0 x16 at 64 GT/s per lane. It also positions the module as a pluggable alternative to the company’s onboard-type optoelectronic modules (which it says have supported PCIe 5.0), and says the pluggable configuration improves design flexibility, system configuration versatility, and ease of implementation.
On the engineering side, Kyocera frames optical transport as a way to avoid signal-loss-driven design constraints that show up when PCIe traces and cables get longer, including the need for retimers to maintain link stability. Kyocera claims optical transmission in this approach can eliminate retimers that would otherwise be required in electrical wiring, which it says can reduce power consumption “between PCIe devices.”
Kyocera also claims optical fiber transmission can extend PCIe device-to-device connection distance to “several hundred meters or more,” compared with a “under 10 meters” limit it cites for conventional electrical wiring. The company ties that distance to more flexible equipment placement within and between racks, with expectations of improved cooling efficiency and maintainability, though it does not provide facility-level metrics (for example, measured PUE impact) in the announcement.
The module was developed in collaboration with AuthenX, and Kyocera says it has invested in AuthenX through Kyocera Venture Innovation Fund I (KVIF-I). Kyocera characterizes AuthenX as a Taiwanese startup focused on high-speed optical transceivers using silicon photonics, and says the joint work combines AuthenX’s module design with Kyocera’s PCIe protocol processing, signal quality management, and link training technologies.
The company also says it plans to expand its optoelectronic module lineup beyond onboard-type and OSFP-XD, including modules in other form factors such as Optical CDFP, and that both companies will “accelerate efforts toward commercialization and market launch,” without giving a specific availability date or pricing.
Source: Kyocera
