Nvidia and Cisco Unveil Optical Module for AI Networks

what happened

Newsmetry API reports that Nvidia and Cisco have introduced the Ultra-Dense Small Form Factor Pluggable, or USFP, an optical module intended for the networking requirements of expanding artificial-intelligence infrastructure. The companies described it as the first optical module capable of supporting electrical signals at 400 gigabits per second per lane, compared with 200 previously.

According to the companies, USFP offers four times the bandwidth density and 1.3 times the power efficiency of earlier-generation optical modules. The first USFP-based transceivers will feature 16 full-duplex lanes, while future versions could scale to 32 lanes or more.

“Cisco and NVIDIA recognized that scaling pluggable optics to 400Gb/s per lane would require more than another incremental extension of today’s module designs,” said Bill Gartner, Cisco’s general manager of optical systems and optics. Nvidia and Cisco are working with Amphenol and TE Connectivity to develop a broader USFP technology ecosystem. They also plan to establish an open industry specification for the product.

why it matters

The announcement highlights how expanding AI infrastructure is increasing demands on optical networking components. The stated gains in bandwidth density and power efficiency, along with a potential open specification, are relevant to Nvidia, Cisco, Amphenol and TE Connectivity as the companies develop the new module ecosystem.

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