Broadcom offers BCM8780X 7-nm 8x100G PAM4 PHY, BCM87360 800G 8:8 retimer

Dec. 7, 2020

The devices leverage the 7-nm process technology from the Centenario PHY platform, which is now shipping in production, and complement Broadcom’s line of 100G single-lambda optics and 25.6T switch.

Stephen Hardy

Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) says it has added the BCM8780X, optimized for QSFP-DD800 and OSFP transceiver module applications, and the BCM87360 800G 8:8 retimer PHY device to its line of 7-nm 800G PAM-4 PHY chips. The devices leverage the 7-nm process technology from the Centenario PHY platform, which is now shipping in production, and complement Broadcom’s line of 100G single-lambda optics and 25.6T switch.

The BCM8780X line comprises a pair of devices, the BCM87800 and the BCM87802. The latter features a monolithically integrated 112-Gbps laser driver with direct-drive PAM4 output for use with EMLs and silicon photonics. It is the first and so far only device of its kind in 7nm, according to company sources. The BCM87360, designed for line card applications, drives eight lanes of 106-Gbps PAM4 at 53 Gbaud, while supporting DR8 and 2xFR4 optical links. It offers PAM4 SerDes with link training and auto-negotiation. It is interoperable with Broadcom switch merchant silicon and ASICs and compliant to IEEE and OIF standards.

The devices are sampling now, with production release slated for mid-2021.

“The data center industry has begun gearing up for 800G optical connectivity in 2020,” commented Dr. Vladimir Kozlov, CEO and founder of LightCounting Market Research, via a Broadcom press release. “Broadcom is the driving force behind it, offering switching ICs, optics, and now PHY chips designed for 25.6T 1RU switches with 32 of 800G optical ports. It’s certain that one major hyperscaler will be using these products next year and other cloud companies may be adding it to their plans.”

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.