Data Centres

On a macro level, the data centre optical module market is a market where the lifetime and operating conditions of optical modules are defined rationally according to the actual requirements and where the price/performance ratio of optical modules is fully optimised. Due to the trend of openness in digital communication networks, this market is characterised by active openness, welcoming the introduction of new technologies, and an atmosphere of discussing new standards and application conditions. All this provides excellent conditions for the development of data centre optical module technology. 

Driven by the demand for multi-channel, high speed and low power consumption, the same volume of optical modules need to have more data transmission capacity, photonic integration technology is gradually becoming a reality. Photonic integration technology has a broader meaning: for example, silicon-based integration (planar optical waveguide hybrid integration, silicon-optical, etc.), indium-phosphide-based integration, and so on. Hybrid integration technologies usually refer to the integration of different materials together. There are also constructions of partly free-space optics and partly integrated optics called hybrid integration, which is not a bad idea. Typical hybrid integration is the integration of active optical components (lasers, detectors, etc.) onto a substrate (planar optical waveguide, silicon optical, etc.) that has an optical path connection or some other passive function (splitter-combiner, etc.). Hybrid integration technology can be made very compact optical components, in line with the trend of miniaturisation of optical modules, easy to use mature automated IC packaging process, conducive to mass production, is the recent data centre with optical modules effective technology approach.

Explore optoelectronic devices and silicon-based integrated circuit technology compatible with the technology and techniques, integrated on the same silicon substrate a science. Silicon optical technology will eventually move towards optoelectronic integration (OEIC: Opto-Electric Integrated Circuits), making the current separation of optoelectronic conversion (optical modules) into optoelectronic integration in the local optoelectronic conversion, and further promote the integration of the system. Silicon optical technology can of course achieve a lot of functions, but the current more dazzling or silicon modulator. From the industry, a new technology to enter the market threshold must be competitive performance and cost, which requires a huge upfront investment in silicon optical technology is indeed a great challenge. Data centre optical module market, due to the large number of needs concentrated in less than 2 km, coupled with the strong demand for low cost, high speed, high density, etc., more suitable for a large number of applications of silicon optical. Personally believe that in the 100G rate, the traditional optical module has been done very successfully, silicon optical to enter a large number of less easy. But in 200G, 400G or more rate, due to the traditional direct modulation has been close to the limit of bandwidth, EML cost is relatively high, for silicon optical will be a good opportunity. The large number of silicon optical applications also depends on the industry's openness and acceptance of the technology. If the development of standards or protocols to take into account the characteristics of silicon photonic, in order to meet the transmission conditions under the premise of relaxing some of the indicators (wavelength, extinction ratio, etc.), which will greatly promote the development and application of silicon photonic.