Networks powered by 102T switches and 1.6T optical modules are quickly approaching and will be deployed on a global scale. Rittik Shah, Senior Staff Engineer in Connectivity Applications, walks through the award-winning Marvell Ara, a 3nm 1.6 Tbps PAM4 optical DSP platform. An industry-first, Ara is enabling 1.6T optical modules that operate at 22 watts or less for optimizing the data center networks necessary for AI applications.

Optical Connectivity Trends and the Impact of AI

AI has understandably had an immense impact on the optical connectivity market, creating an increase in demand on a massive scale. While pluggables were initially designed for scale-out applications, they are now moving to the scale-up realm. Hear more about these breaking trends and what’s on the horizon in the optical realm from Vlad Kozlov, founder, CEO and lead analyst at LightCounting.

How Transmit-retimed Optics Save Power

Transmit-retimed optics (TRO) offer an alternative to traditional DSP-based solutions by conditioning signals only at the point of transmission, reducing module power consumption as low as 16 watts. Hyperscalers are continually seeking to lower system power, making TRO a valuable innovation for AI data center infrastructure. Learn more about this power-saving optical innovation from Matt Sysak of Lumentum.

Co-packaged Optics (CPO) Demonstration

Co-packaged optics are nearing the inflection point, with meaningful commercial deployment expected in the second half of the decade,¹ but as Chris McCormick of Marvell points out, the technology will require a new generation of infrastructure to accommodate it. The video demonstrates a CPO XPU implementation with 25 Tbps throughput, enabled by four Marvell® light engines. He discusses more on this topic in a recent blog post, “Co-packaged Optics: Powering the Next Wave of AI Data Center Innovation.”

SENKO and Marvell Co-packaged Optics Collaboration

As AI systems continue to scale, eventually beyond the rack, co-packaged optics is going to be a necessity. To make co-packaged optics happen, it takes collaboration and innovation, designing from a “system standpoint, not just a component standpoint,” as Chris McCormick comments in this SENKO video. Marvell collaborated with SENKO on the co-packaged optics solution, featuring the SENKO Metallic PIC Couplers, which bring the light out of the optical engine and onto the fiber, alongside the XPU architecture from Marvell.

1. LightCounting, Ethernet, Infiniband and Optical Switches for Cloud Data Centers, October 2025.

# # #

This blog contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future events or achievements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contemplated in this blog. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us from time to time with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and no person assumes any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.