Changguang Huaxin releases 56G PAM4 EML optical communication chip

05/19

2023

From May 16 to 18, 2023, the 19th "China Optical Valley" International Optoelectronics Expo and Forum was held at the China Optical Valley Science and Technology Exhibition Center. Changguang Huaxin showcased a series of the latest products and launched the 56G PAM4 EML optical communication chip, entering the high-end optical chip market , opening up broad growth opportunities.

In the era of computing power, the optical communication market demand is improving

On November 30, 2022, ChatGPT emerged suddenly, causing a huge sensation. As of February 2023, ChatGPT, an ultra-intelligent conversational AI product based on large-scale language models, has attracted 100 million users worldwide. Whether discussing the latest internet content creation method AIGC (AI Generated Content) or the viral ChatGPT, the essence is exploring the AI industry chain behind it.

Data, algorithms, and computing power are the three key elements of AI development. ChatGPT, upgraded from OpenAI's third-generation large model GPT-3, ultimately relies on chips as the source of computing power. Computing power, as a new infrastructure, is becoming the core support of the current and future digital economy. Related GPUs, CPUs, SoCs, and storage chips all have clear growth opportunities.

Changguang Huaxin releases 56G PAM4 EML

Data centers are the carriers of computing power. AI servers have very high requirements for the transmission rate and latency of underlying data. Corresponding top-of-rack switches need to match the large data transmission bandwidth at the bottom layer with extremely low latency overhead, which requires high-speed optical modules for matching. The single-wavelength 100Gbps (56Gbaud four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4)) electro-absorption modulated laser diode (EML) chip released by Changguang Huaxin supports four wavelengths of coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM), achieving the application goal of 400Gbps transmission rate using 4 chips or 800Gbps using 8 chips. The chip adopts a ridge waveguide structure, supports 4 CWDM wavelengths - 1271, 1291, 1311, and 1331 nm, allowing different wavelength optical signals to be multiplexed in a single fiber, thereby reducing the number of fibers needed. The electro-absorption modulation region modulation rate reaches 56GBd, supporting 112Gb/s with 56GBd PAM4 signals, featuring low threshold current and a wide operating temperature range. The chip complies with RoHS and Telcordia GR-468 standards, and serves as the core component of current 400G/800G supercomputing data center interconnect optical modules. 。

Since 2010, Changguang Huaxin has laid out an indium phosphide laser chip production line, initially capable of mass shipping 2.5G FP. In 2020, the company started R&D of 10G APD and L-band high-power EML products, fully establishing a high-speed optical communication chip R&D and production line. Two products passed certification by major manufacturers (customers) in early 2022 and have achieved mass supply. The release of the 56G PAM4 EML chip signifies that Changguang Huaxin has fully realized horizontal expansion in the optical communication field.

Changguang Huaxin adopts the IDM model, breaking through key technologies and processes in epitaxial growth, chip manufacturing, and packaging & testing, owning the largest 6-inch production line in the semiconductor laser industry. It has built three major material systems: gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP), and gallium nitride (GaN), with two chip structure technologies and process production platforms for edge-emitting and surface-emitting. Since 2018, it has been laying out the high-speed optical communication chip field, successively introducing industry senior experts, forming a professional R&D team, and establishing a complete optical communication process platform and mass production line, including chip design, epitaxial growth, wafer etching, oxidation process, gold plating, performance testing, etc., overcoming the challenges of precise control and stability in material epitaxial growth and oxidation-limited control of laser current. It is committed to the design, R&D, production, and sales of high-speed optical communication chips.

In the future, Changguang Huaxin will fully utilize the advantages of an IDM enterprise and its strong technical accumulation, accurately grasp market demand, continuously launch more competitive optical communication products, and achieve breakthroughs in domestic optical chip production from 1 to N. Chinese laser chips, illuminating a better life.

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