Semtech Corporation has unveiled a new family of 224Gbps per lane Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs) and Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM) drivers tailored for a variety of interconnect applications, including half retimed (LRO), Linear Passive Optical (LPO), and Co-Packaged Optics (CPO). This release aligns with the growing demand for high-performance solutions across AI/ML clusters, hyperscale data centres, and next-generation cloud infrastructures.
The newly developed CEI-224G-Linear and LPO-MSA compliant devices facilitate the implementation of 800G, 1.6T, and 3.2T transceivers and optical engines. By utilising these TIAs and drivers, users can streamline their systems by eliminating the power-intensive Digital Signal Processor (DSP) from optical modules, while still ensuring the requisite performance and features necessary for maintaining link integrity.
Furthermore, the inherent low latency associated with linear channels mitigates delays in data processing, thereby enhancing the speed of AI feedback loops and inference cycles. According to the January 2025 report by LightCounting on Optics for AI Clusters, the market for linear optical transceivers and CPO/NPO optics for AI cluster networks is projected to more than double, rising from $5 billion in 2024 to over $10 billion by 2026. This growth is driven by hyperscalers accelerating the deployment of higher-speed linear interconnect architectures.
The 224G TIA family, which includes the GN1834L, GN1834DL, and GN1838DL models, offers both four- and eight-channel architectures with a variety of layout options. This flexibility accommodates a broad spectrum of module designs. The integration of on-chip equalization, along with high linearity and low noise, ensures the signal integrity performance that is critical for LPO and next-generation linear optics applications.
In addition, the 224G driver family comprises the quad GN1877 and octal GN1887, which support Silicon Photonics (SiPho), Indium Phosphide (InP) MZM, and Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) optical transmitters. These components feature tunable gain and output swing, offering designers the flexibility needed to optimise for power and performance across diverse optical components.
A CEI-224G-Linear compliant host-side equalizer is also available, covering the full range of host interfaces from compact NPO/CPO to various LRO/LPO/XPO trace lengths. Both the TIA and driver families include integrated real-time link monitoring and telemetry features, enabling proactive diagnostics that can reduce optical link flapping and enhance overall network reliability.
The GN1834L, GN1834DL, and GN1887 are currently available for purchase, while the GN1838DL and GN1877 are anticipated to be released in April 2026. Customers and partners are encouraged to visit Semtech at booth #1812 during OFC 2026, taking place from March 17 to 19 in Los Angeles, California, to experience demonstrations and engage with Semtech’s technical experts.