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Semtech Sets a New Benchmark for 224G Optical Interconnects
2026-09-10

Semtech launches a new 224G TIA and driver product portfolio for NPO and CPO architectures used in AI clusters and ultra large scale data centers

Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading enterprise dedicated to providing high-performance semiconductors for global AI data center networks and intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) devices, today launched a new series of single wave 224G linear transimpedance amplifiers (TIA) and driver solutions aimed at accelerating the deployment of near packaged optical (NPO) and co packaged optical (CPO) architectures in artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) clusters, ultra large scale data centers, and next-generation network platforms. In order to support customers in migrating to the new architecture, Semtech will showcase this product portfolio at booth C52 in Hall 11 during the China International Optoelectronics Expo (CIOE 2026) held in Shenzhen from September 9th to 11th this month.

As AI workloads continue to drive unprecedented demands for bandwidth and connectivity, traditional optical architectures are facing increasingly severe challenges in terms of power consumption, heat management, signal integrity, and system density. By deploying high-performance optical interfaces closer to switching and computing chips, the NPO and CPO architectures provide a feasible path for achieving significantly improved bandwidth density and better system level efficiency.

Sameh Boujelbene, Vice President of Data Center Exchange and AI Network Market Research at Dell'Oro Group, a market research company, stated that "Near Package Optics and Co Package Optics will enter the initial mass production stage in 2026, and the transition to NPO and CPO architectures reflects a broader response from the industry to the power consumption and scalability bottlenecks faced by AI backend networks. As hyperscalers move these architectures from the experimental phase to actual deployment, underlying TIA and driver technologies will become key driving factors for this transformation. ”

Designed for 224G linear optical architecture

Semtech's new products include the industry's first linear eight channel TIA - GN1838L and GN42T380, as well as the linear eight channel Mach Zehnder modulator (MZM) driver GN42M380, all optimized for 1.6T, 3.2T, 6.4T, and 12.8T rate optical engines (OE). The 224G TIA and driver product combination is optimized for CEI-224G Linear and Open CPX interfaces, as well as linear architecture, to meet extremely strict space and power requirements.

Amit Thakar, Vice President of Marketing for Semtech's Signal Integrity Products Business Unit, stated that "AI infrastructure is fundamentally changing the requirements for optical interconnect. At a single wave speed of 224G, designers require not only bandwidth, but also signal integrity, power efficiency, flexibility, and system level observability. Our TIA and driver solutions are designed specifically for NPO and CPO developers, providing the solutions needed to expand optical I/O to meet the power and density challenges of next-generation AI systems

Large scale implementation of NPO and CPO
GN1838L TIA provides a channel spacing of 500 µ m, while GN42T380 provides a channel spacing of 375 µ m, bringing flexibility to customers' optical engine design choices. These two TIAs can be configured side by side with photonic integrated circuits (PIC) or directly placed on top of PIC, giving customers maximum design freedom. Both TIAs include an automatic gain control (AGC) stage and output driver, with programmable continuous time linear equalization (CTLE) functionality and support for both manual and automatic gain control (MGC and AGC) modes. Its bandwidth has been optimized to achieve low peaking, low input reference noise (IRN), good group delay, and minimize distortion. The device provides multiple programmable performance optimization functions (including output balancing), designed to adapt to a variety of optical input signals while optimizing the signal quality of switch chips or ASIC input terminals.

The GN42M380 driver provides a 375 µ m channel spacing and supports multiple modulators, including silicon photonics (SiPho), indium phosphide Mach Zehnder modulators (InP MZM), and thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) devices. GN42M380 has low group delay and extremely low total harmonic distortion (THD), ensuring excellent driving performance. The built-in programmable continuous time linear equalization (CTLE) in the device helps compensate for inter symbol interference (ISI) caused by the input signal transmission path. It also offers flexible bias configurations that are compatible with MZMs from different manufacturers. The output swing of the driver can be configured, and the on-chip balancing function can achieve precise tuning of electrical and optical performance.

This TIA integrates multiple diagnostic and performance tuning functions with the driver series, which can be accessed through device pads and I ² C interfaces.

Supply arrangement
For information on the supply of GN1838L, GN42T380, and GN42M380 product series, please contact Semtech for consultation.

We sincerely invite customers and partners to visit the Semtech 11C52 booth during the CIOE 2026 in Shenzhen, China from September 9th to 11th, 2026, to further understand the product portfolio and have on-site discussions with Semtech technical experts.

For more information, please visit http://www.semtech.com/optical .

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