Tower Semiconductor and InnoLight Technology are collaborating to develop multi-generation high-speed optical transceivers based on Tower’s silicon photonics process platform (PH18).
With production under way, this partnership was designed to enable solutions to support the growing demands of AI, data centres, and next-generation telecom networks. According to industry intelligence firm, Yole, the silicon photonic die market is expected to grow at 22% CAGR reaching nearly $500m by 2027.
Tower’s high-volume PH18M SiPho platform offers a portfolio of optical components, including ultra-high bandwidth modulators, photodetectors, low-loss waveguides, and light coupling solutions. Combined with a mature design enablement infrastructure, the platform is able to deliver an accurate model-to-silicon match that allows designers to bring solutions to market on time and with minimal design iterations.
InnoLight has launched multiple 400G and 800G products based on the PH18M SiPho platform. 400G parts are currently in mass production while 800G parts are scheduled to be in volume production in Q4, 2023. InnoLight also developed 400G COSA, which will be used in its 400G DCO coherent transceivers.
Dr. Marco Racanelli, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Analog Business Unit at Tower Semiconductor says: “We are excited to partner with a leader like InnoLight for the manufacturing of their current and next-generation optical transceiver products. Their significant market presence brings high volumes to our silicon photonics platform turning it into a mainstream solution further establishing our differentiated SiPho platforms as the 'go to' solutions for state-of-the-art optical transceivers in data centres, AI clusters, as well as for emerging applications such as sensors, automotive lidar, and optical computing.”
Osa Mok, Chief Marketing Officer at InnoLight adds: “InnoLight has established itself as an industry leader by rapidly developing and delivering high-performance optical transceiver products to the market. Our well-established collaboration with Tower firmly demonstrates that we have found a foundry partner who not only possesses best-in-class silicon photonics technology but is also willing to collaborate closely with us to translate our innovations into silicon. We anticipate a successful journey together.”
