Tech Giants Introduced New Pluggable AI Optics
Nvidia, Cisco, TE Connectivity, and Amphenol have unveiled new optical technology designed to increase AI data center efficiency.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Data Centers
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Nvidia, Cisco, TE Connectivity, and Amphenol introduced a new pluggable optics form factor to improve data transmission in AI data centers. The technology reduces power consumption and optimizes performance for massive data movement.
Why it matters
AI networks require significantly higher speeds and lower costs, necessitating innovations that allow for greater flexibility in hardware. These modules enable operators to mix vendors and replace hardware independently while scaling operations.
Cisco 800G Linear Pluggable Optics reduce module power consumption by 50% and overall switch power usage by 30%. These advancements support the high-speed requirements of chips like the 102.4 Tbps Silicon One G300.
The players
Nvidia
Nvidia is a global technology company known for designing graphics processing units and artificial intelligence hardware.
Cisco
Cisco is a multinational digital communications technology corporation that manufactures networking hardware and software.
TE Connectivity
TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology company that manufactures sensors and connectors for harsh environments.
Amphenol
Amphenol is a major producer of electrical, electronic, and fiber optic connectors and interconnect systems.
The details
Linear Pluggable Optics eliminate signal-processing electronics from inside the module to lower heat, while co-packaged optics place optical engines adjacent to switch chips to reduce signal loss from 22 dB to 4 dB. This shift helps manage the massive bandwidth demands of modern AI infrastructure.
Timeline
March 18, 2025: Nvidia announced its Spectrum-X and Quantum-X Photonics switches.
2025: Shipments of 800G-and-faster transceivers are projected to surpass 24 million units.
Late 2025 to early 2026: Expected release window for Quantum-X Photonics switches.
February 10, 2026: Cisco unveiled its Silicon One G300 switching silicon.
Second half of 2026: Expected market availability for Spectrum-X Photonics switches.
The Tech Race
The introduction of new pluggable optics form factors represents a critical shift toward reducing energy waste in high-capacity data centers. This development positions these companies to better support the massive scale of AI workloads compared to legacy plug-in modules.
The transition to these high-efficiency optical modules allows for faster data processing speeds and lower energy costs within large-scale networks. For users and developers, this means more robust and scalable cloud services that can handle intensive AI models with reduced latency.
The takeaway
These hardware advancements are essential for managing the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence. Businesses investing in these technologies can achieve significantly better power efficiency and signal integrity.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Data Centers.
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