What is co-packaged optics?
Co-packaged optics is a technology that directly integrates optical components into a switch ASIC package to address next-generation bandwidth and power challenges. CPO addresses the problem of overloading the number of optical modules after ultra-high computing power, and the optical engine is moved near the switching chip to reduce the transmission distance and improve the quality of high-speed electrical signal transmission.
Driven by growing demands for AI bandwidth and connectivity, Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) are migrating to actual network deployments.
However, Cignal AI cautioned in its latest Active Insight report that large-scale CPO deployment is not expected for three to five years, but some initial deployments will start in 2026.
Further, the research firm noted that although technical and manufacturing challenges hinder high-volume CPO, its adoption is inevitable for specific applications.
Hyperscalers and Nvidia, which have the scale and vertical integration to test out proprietary concepts, will drive early volume deployments of CPO.
Initial volume deployments will be proprietary and prioritize innovation before standardization. These deployments will originate at large hyperscalers and Nvidia, which has the scale and vertical integration to take on the sizable technical risks.
One of the initial applications for CPO is in the scale-up AI networks. In this scenario, CPO will enable higher connectivity and longer distances than copper.
As AI nodes expand, the initial high-volume deployments will start in the scale-up network as an alternative to copper before migrating to the scale-out network. In the scale-up, hyperscalers will struggle to keep up with bandwidth, density, and power demands, but today, copper still has the upper hand in terms of power and cost.
Cignal AI said these factors make it “hard to dislodge” copper in favor of CPO.
CPO’s impact on pluggable optics will be minimal during the copper replacement process. However, once this application is proven in volume, CPO cannibalizes pluggable optics in scale-out applications.
While the scale-out is already optical-based and could be a good place to initiate CPO deployments, the research firm notes that existing solutions working well (pluggable) and improved solutions that can be adopted (LPO/LRO) are available. As a result, there is less immediate need for CPO.
“The industry recognizes CPO’s undeniable benefits, but the technology is still not competitive with pluggable optics which are working well,” says Scott Wilkinson, lead analyst at Cignal AI. “There are positive signs for CPO deployment by 2026, but large-scale deployments will require investment by motivated industry actors like hyperscalers or Nvidia.”
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Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategies of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report across their websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products.