Pluggable Optics Are Alive and Well

This talk explores the evolving role of pluggable optics in high‑speed data‑center interconnects, highlighting why they remain a dominant solution despite emerging alternatives such as co‑packaged optics. After introducing the architecture of optical modules and the tradeoffs between pluggable, co‑packaged, and scale‑out interconnect strategies, the presentation reviews key optical link technologies, including intensity‑modulated direct‑detect and coherent systems, fiber types, and device implementations such as VCSELs, Mach‑Zehnder modulators, and electro‑absorption modulators. The talk then examines practical design challenges in modern optical PHYs—such as transmitter performance (e.g., TDECQ), high‑swing driver design, link budgeting, power constraints, and jitter. Finally, recent advancements in >400 Gb/s per lane direct‑detect systems are discussed, illustrating how continued innovation in CMOS, photonics, and system architecture enables scaling to ever higher data <a href="http://rates.

Speaker(s):” target=”_blank” title=”rates.

Speaker(s):”>rates.

Speaker(s): Mike Bichan,

Room: 11.119, Bldg: EV, 1515 Ste-Catherine St West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G1M8