Marvell unveiled the Aquila DSP, the first coherent-lite DSP optimized for 1.6 Tbps O-band optical interconnects. Designed for data center campus connectivity spanning 2 to 20 km, the Aquila DSP combines advanced coherent modulation with scalable O-band optics to deliver a power-efficient, cost-effective solution for emerging distributed data center networks.
With data centers shifting from centralized facilities to distributed campus models due to power and space constraints, Marvell is addressing the need for mid-range interconnects. While PAM4 and traditional coherent DSPs dominate shorter and longer distances, respectively, Aquila fills the gap with a tailored solution for campus interconnects. Its low-power architecture reduces latency and carbon emissions while future-proofing infrastructure to meet the growing demands of AI and cloud workloads.
• Performance: Supports up to 1.6 Tbps with 400 Gbps/lane 16-QAM signaling.
• Range: Optimized for 2–20 km links, bridging the gap between PAM4 and C-band coherent solutions.
• Efficiency: Simplified DSP architecture lowers power consumption and latency.
• Cost: Leverages O-band wavelengths to reduce link costs compared to C-band optics.
• Sustainability: Designed to help data centers meet carbon reduction goals.
“Aquila offers data center operators a groundbreaking avenue for optimizing their infrastructure for sustainability while scaling with the demands of AI and cloud services,” said Xi Wang, Vice President of Product Marketing for Optical Connectivity at Marvell..
