Multi-Core Fiber 

​The Multi-Core Fiber  Working Group is defining the use of multi-core fiber for highly scalable CPO interfaces.

 

Multi-Core Fiber has been around for over 10+ years. Over the next five years , hyperscale data centers are expected to significantly scale up the number of nodes in AI clusters to tens of thousands. This growth will require a substantial advancement in fiber optic cabling to support the massive connectivity required. Key innovations in fiber technology and connectivity will play a critical role in enabling this expansion.

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Multicore Fiber (MCF) offers significantly enhanced bandwidth capacity compared to a conventional Data Center Network Advances single-mode fiber.  Conventional single-mode fiber has a single core carrying a single data stream. MCF has multiple independent cores within a single fiber strand, each capable of transmit ting a parallel optical data stream. 

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Focus:

• GPU to GPU (Transceiver to Transceiver) interconnects

• Silicon photonics interconnects

• Switch to switch with co-packaged optics

• DC to DC links on campus or off campus

• Disaggregated interconnects for intra rack

 

 

Ecosystem Standards Drive:​

• Increased Bandwidth and Materials Reduction(fiber jackets, reels, conduit space etc.)

• Faster deployment

• Easier decommissioning

• Lower power consumption for point-to-point connectivity

• Lower BOM costs