NEW CASTLE, DE — FS has rolled out a new generation of 1.6-terabit optical transceivers designed to meet the escalating bandwidth, power, and thermal demands of large-scale artificial intelligence and high-performance computing networks, signaling a push beyond today’s 800G infrastructure limits.
The company’s new 1.6T OSFP IHS (Closed Finned Top) lineup includes the OSFP-DR8-1.6T and OSFP-2FR4-1.6T models, both engineered for dense InfiniBand XDR environments powering next-generation AI fabrics. FS said the modules are built to deliver full 1.6T throughput for emerging compute architectures such as NVIDIA’s GB300 and B300 platforms, where optical interconnects are becoming a hard requirement rather than an upgrade option.
As AI deployments scale from rack-level to row-scale systems, data centers are grappling with longer link distances, heavier east-west traffic, and tighter power envelopes. Traditional copper interconnects are increasingly constrained by reach and signal integrity, creating pressure to move to higher-capacity optical solutions. FS positions its 1.6T modules as a bridge for operators transitioning beyond 800G while maintaining power efficiency and compatibility with existing InfiniBand ecosystems.
The two models target distinct deployment needs. The OSFP-DR8-1.6T supports reaches up to 500 meters using parallel single-mode fiber, while the OSFP-2FR4-1.6T extends connections up to two kilometers via CWDM4 multiplexing. Both modules use a twin-port OSFP form factor with integrated heat sinks and are designed to operate in air-cooled and liquid-cooled environments, reflecting the thermal realities of modern AI clusters.
FS said the transceivers are powered by Broadcom’s latest 3-nanometer digital signal processing technology, helping keep power consumption in the mid-20-watt range despite the jump in bandwidth. The company added that the modules have been verified on NVIDIA Quantum-X800 switches, with testing focused on low bit error rates, signal integrity, and durability to reduce long-term operational risk.
Industry demand for 1.6T optics is accelerating as hyperscalers and research institutions race to support trillion-parameter AI models and increasingly complex training workloads. FS said its expanding 1.6T portfolio is intended to give data center operators a ready-to-deploy option as AI networking requirements continue to outpace legacy interconnect designs.
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