MaxLinear PAM4 DSPs Accelerate Data Center Connectivity

Overview

MaxLinear PAM4 DSPs enable next generation optical modules for data center and hyperscale cloud networks

Data traffic continues to grow exponentially in hyperscale cloud networks; requiring ever increasing server access and switch-to-switch interconnect speeds. Low-power, high-density optical modules that support high lane rates are needed to enable higher bandwidth.

Solution

Highly Integrated DSPs & TIAs Enable Next Generation Optical Modules

MaxLinear provides a full range of PAM4 DSPs and TIAs for applications ranging from 100G to 800G, supporting 56G/lane and 112G/lane options on both the host and line side interfaces for data center connectivity.

Products

New Keystone DSPs enable sub-8W 400G-DR4 and sub-15W 800G-DR8 Optical Modules

  • 5nm technology
  • 400G/800G PAM4 DSPs
  • Support 112G/lane electrical and optical I/O 12mm x 13mm package suitable for QSFP-DD800 and OSFP optical modules
  • Integrated driver with single-ended and differential options for both EML and SiPH optical interfaces
Snowmass DSP
100G PAM4
  • Two low power options
  • Electrical interface supports 25Gbps NRZ or 50Gbps PAM4
  • Optical interface supports 100Gbps PAM4 signaling
  • 7mm x 8.5mm package
  • DR/FR/LR
  • QSFP28 optical modules
  • SFP-DD optical modules
  • DSFP optical modules
Keystone DSP
400G/800G PAM4
  • Four low power options
  • Electrical interface supports 56Gbps PAM4
  • Optical interface supports 112Gbps PAM4 signaling
  • 12mm x 13mm package
  • PSM8, DR8, 2xFR, 2xLR (MxL9368x)
  • DR4/FR4/LR4
  • QSFP-DD800 (MxL9368x)
  • QSFP-DD optical modules
  • OSFP optical modules
Topanga
56GBaud Linear TIAs
  • Three low power options
  • Supports 56GBaud PAM4 symbol rates
  • Multi-channel 100G TIAs offer best-in-class crosstalk performance
  • Available in bare die
  • QSFP-DD800 optical module
  • OSFP optical module
  • QSFP112 optical module
  • SFP optical module
  • CPO
  • 5G wireless fronthaul
Resources

Videos

Introducing Keystone: MaxLinear’s 3rd Gen PAM4 DSP Family

In this video, Drew Guckenberger introduces MaxLinear’s new Keystone 5nm PAM4 DSP family and provides an overview of MaxLinear’s full family of PAM4 DSPs engineered for data center solutions.

MaxLinear’s 800G Keystone Demo

This video demonstrates the performance of MaxLinear’s Keystone 800G PAM4 DSP.

Documentation

Product Briefs
Technical Documentation & Application Notes
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MxL in the News
DustPhotonics and MaxLinear Announce New Level of Silicon Photonics Integrated Solution Based on Keystone 5nm DSP
“DustPhotonics is focused on enabling best-in-class Silicon Photonics chips to simplify the efforts of transceiver and systems designers,” said Yoel Chetrit, Vice President R&D of DustPhotonics. “Not only can our Carmel chip simplify the overall system design by reducing the total number of lasers to a single laser for 4 channels, but it also eliminates the external driver, which reduces the cost, power and complexity of the overall system.”
MaxLinear Partners with MACOM and II-VI to Showcase 100Gbps Per Lane Multi-Mode Links at OFC
"The combined MACOM and MaxLinear IC solutions for 8x100G multi-mode links can provide the ability for customers to achieve 800G QSFP-DD and OSFP optical modules at a total power consumption under 11 Watts," said Marek Tlalka, Senior Director of Product Marketing at MACOM. "This is a significant reduction over single-mode solutions for these power-sensitive data center applications."
MaxLinear and Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations Announce Availability of FOTON: 400G-DR4 Reference Platform Based on Keystone 5nm DSP
"Market projections show the demand for 400G modules will exceed two million units this year, double in 2023 and continue to increase through 2026," said Drew Guckenberger, Vice President of Optical Interconnect at MaxLinear. "The FOTON 400G reference design provides a proven baseline that allows module partners to quickly ramp 400G products and access this major, growing data center market quickly and effectively."