Marvell introduces First End-to-End PCIe Gen 6 Over Optics at OFC 2025

Marvell and TeraHop Unveil Game-Changing PCIe Gen 6 Over Optics

In a move that’s sure to turn heads in the tech world, Marvell Technology, Inc. has teamed up with TeraHop, a global player in optical solutions, to showcase something truly : the industry’s first end-to-end PCIe Gen 6 over optics. This exciting demonstration is happening right now at OFC 2025, specifically in Marvell’s booth #2129, and it promises to redefine how we think about data infrastructure.

Why PCIe Connectivity Matters

As we dive deeper into the age of AI, the demand for faster and more efficient data transfer is skyrocketing. Traditional electrical connections just can’t keep up with the sheer volume of data that AI workloads generate. That’s where this new PCIe connectivity comes into play. By extending PCIe reach beyond its usual electrical limits, Marvell and TeraHop are paving the way for low-Latency, standards-based infrastructure that can truly scale.

Imagine being able to connect devices with the same speed and efficiency as PCIe technology, but over much longer distances. That’s what the Marvell Alaska P PCIe Gen 6 retimer and its PCIe Gen 7 SerDes technology are designed to do. They enable low-latency and low bit-error-rate transmission over optical fiber, which is crucial for the next generation of accelerated infrastructure.

A First of Its Kind

During the demonstration, attendees will witness the first successful transmission of PCIe Gen 6 signals across a distance of 10 meters using TeraHop’s OSFP-XD active optical cable. This impressive feat was made possible by integrating Marvell’s Alaska P PCIe Gen 6 retimer into a specially developed PCIe Gen 6 retimed riser card from TeraHop.

What does this mean for the future? It ensures reliable, high-speed connectivity between essential components like AI accelerators, CPUs, CXL-pooled memory, SSDs, and NICs. In simpler terms, this technology unlocks new possibilities for AI-driven data centers, allowing them to operate at peak performance.

Looking Ahead: PCIe Gen 7

But the innovation doesn’t stop there. As the demand for AI continues to surge, the industry is buzzing about the upcoming PCIe Gen 7 standard, which is expected to be finalized this year. Marvell and TeraHop are also set to demonstrate PCIe Gen 7 SerDes running at an impressive 128 GT/s, transmitting signals through TeraHop’s linear-drive pluggable optical (LPO) module. This sets the stage for a seamless transition to a low-latency, high-performance connectivity solution that the industry desperately needs.

The Voices Behind the Innovation

Rang-Chen Yu, Vice President of Marketing at TeraHop, remarked on the significance of this collaboration: “As a leader in high-speed optical interconnects, TeraHop has established a long-standing collaboration with Marvell that continues to drive industry adoption of connectivity solutions. This breakthrough demonstration of PCIe Gen 6 over optics highlights the potential of optical interconnects in AI and hyperscale infrastructure.”

Echoing this sentiment, Xi Wang, Vice President and General Manager of the Connectivity Business Unit at Marvell, emphasized the company’s leadership in this space: “Marvell continues to lead the industry with the first end-to-end PCIe Gen 6 over optics solution, delivering the critical interconnect technology needed to scale up AI infrastructure. With our strong leadership in PAM technology, generational expertise in PCIe progression, and custom accelerated infrastructure silicon, we enable hyperscalers to optimize their AI architectures for maximum performance, efficiency, and scalability.”

The Future is Bright

So, what does all of this mean for the future of data centers? With Marvell and TeraHop at the forefront, we’re looking at a landscape where AI can thrive, powered by robust, efficient connectivity solutions. As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, it’s clear that innovations like PCIe Gen 6 over optics are not just incremental improvements—they’re game changers. Keep an eye on this space; the best is yet to come!

Technology Explained

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Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

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PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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