#United States #San Francisco #Marvell Technology #OFC 2025 #400G PAM4

Marvell Unveils Industry-First 400G/lane PAM4 Technology

In a bold leap toward future connectivity, Marvell Technology, Inc. is set to unveil the industry's first 400G/lane PAM4 electrical-to-optical link technology at the upcoming Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) 2025, which is scheduled for March 30 to April 3, 2025, in San Francisco, California. This technological breakthrough marks a significant milestone as it operates at an unprecedented speed of 224 Gbaud, a feat that was once deemed unattainable.

A New Era for Data Center Efficiency

Marvell's pioneering technology is designed to solve critical challenges faced by cloud data centers. With the rapid growth of data traffic and the increasing demand for bandwidth, traditional infrastructures are quickly becoming outdated. The introduction of 400G/lane technology promises to quadruple the bandwidth compared to the widely used 100G/lane systems and double the 200G/lane technologies currently being implemented. This will not only enhance the efficiency of data centers but also significantly reduce the time needed for complex tasks, such as training AI models and processing vast data sets.

As part of the event, Marvell will not act alone; they will collaborate closely with leading companies in the optical networking field, including Lumentum and TeraHop. Each of these companies will showcase their respective innovations—spanning PAM4 Digital Signal Processing (DSP), transimpedance amplifiers, modulator drivers, and advanced photonics—integral to achieving the high-speed performance that 400G technology aims to offer.

Stakeholders Weigh In

Dr. Lee Xu, Executive Vice President at Coherent, shared insights on the enduring dominance of pluggable transceiver modules in the data center landscape. He highlighted the necessity for robust fabric technology to meet the burgeoning demands of AI, suggesting that collaboration with Marvell and other partners will empower customers to take full advantage of this innovative technology.

Similarly, Matt Sysak, the Chief Technology Officer at Lumentum emphasized the pivotal role their advanced high-speed Indium Phosphide (InP) technology will play in developing the next generation of transceivers required for AI infrastructures. He reinforced the idea that collaboration—with Marvell at the forefront—will drive significant advancements in the sector.

In support of this, Osa Mok, Chief Marketing Officer at Terahop PTE Ltd, pointed out that advancing networking technologies requires a collaborative ecosystem, and he believes that these efforts will support the burgeoning AI economy while expanding the role of optical technologies across infrastructural applications.

Marvell's Commitment to Innovation

As the pioneers of PAM4 connectivity, Marvell has a longstanding history of innovation, having been the first to demonstrate successful 100G/lane and 200G/lane total connectivity. Their work now in 400G/lane PAM4 connectivity signals a new trajectory for network technology. Xi Wang, Marvell's Vice President and General Manager of the Connectivity Business Unit, articulated his excitement about cooperating with industry leaders such as Coherent, Lumentum, and TeraHop to envision the roadmap for the future of networking.

In essence, Marvell is not just introducing a new product; they are setting the stage for an entire generation of network connectivity solutions that could redefine industry standards. By fostering collaboration amongst key players in the optical technology sector, they aim to deliver innovative infrastructures that meet the demands of tomorrow’s digital landscape.

For further information about Marvell and its groundbreaking technologies, visit www.marvell.com.