Energy Efficient Interfaces

AI in data centers is rapidly evolving towards ever larger deep learning models with trillions of parameters. Therefore, next generation AI systems must evolve to utilize dense electrical and optical interfaces. Without interfaces offering greater energy efficiency and lower latency, these high-performance next generation systems become impractical to build. The OIF’s Energy Efficient Interfaces track is addressing these challenges.

• Energy Efficient Interfaces Framework Project: The Energy Efficient Interfaces Framework project is studying end-user requirements and will identify energy efficient, low latency electrical and optical interfaces necessary to support the future application requirements for AI in the data center. These interfaces include electrical and optical interfaces for co-packaged, near-packaged, and for pluggables and includes retimed, transmit retimed and linear interfaces.

• Retimed Tx Linear Rx (RTLR) Project: As a direct off shoot of the EEI Framework Project, OIF members voted to start the RTLR project. The RTLR project addresses energy efficiency and low latency requirements of pluggable optics for Ethernet and AI/ML at up to 200G/lane while achieving full electrical and optical plug-and-play. Specifications will be developed for 200G/lane (DRn and 800G-FR4-500 over 500m) as well as for 100G/lane (30m MMF, DRn, 400G FR4).

For more information, contact Jeff Hutchins, Physical and Link Layer Working Group Management Co-Vice Chair.

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Press Releases

• • June 13, 2024 – OIF Q2 Technical and MA&E Committees Meeting Wraps with CEI-224G-Linear Project Launch, New CMIS White Papers and Requirements for Energy Efficient Interfaces
  • March 6, 2024 – OIF to Take Center Stage at OFC 2024 with Groundbreaking Multi-Vendor Interoperability Demonstrations and Expert Panels
  • February 7, 2024 – OIF to Showcase Interoperability at OFC 2024 with Nearly 50 Member Companies Collaborating to Address Unprecedented Demand for Next-Generation Network Solutions
  • January 30, 2024 – OIF Launches 1600ZR+ Coherent Optical, Retimed Tx Linear Rx Optical Energy Efficient Interfaces Projects and Common Management Interface Specification White Paper at Q1 2024 Technical and MA&E Meeting
  • September 8, 2024 – OIF’s Q3 Technical and MA&E Committees Meeting Spurs Four New Innovative Projects – Link Training for 224G Electrical Interfaces, 1600ZR, Data Center/Optical Network Coordination, Energy Efficient Interfaces
  • June 21, 2023 – OIF Launches Forward-Looking Project to Explore the Next Generation of Energy-Efficient Electrical and Optical Interfaces

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Demos

• • • 2024 PLL Interoperability Demo at OFC

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  Speaking

  • • OFC 2024: “Energy Efficient Interfaces – Reining in Power Consumption Trends for Next-Generation Optical Networking”
      Thursday, March 28, 2024
      Moderator: Jeff Hutchins, OIF PLL WG EEI Vice Chair and Board Member, Ranovus
      Panelists: Craig Thompson, NVIDIA; Yi Tang, OIF PLL WG Electrical Vice Chair, Cisco; Nathan Tracy, OIF President, TE Connectivity

  For information on other OIF current projects, please see OIF Current Work.

  For public OIF Implementation Agreements, please see Implementation Agreements (IAs).