Broadcom is taking a big step forward in high-performance networking with its third-generation co-packaged optics (CPO) technology. This move aims to shake up AI and hyperscale data center designs.
Building on decades of optical innovation and real-world deployments, this advancement promises reliability, dramatic energy savings, and greater scalability for demanding computing environments.
By digging into performance across multiple generations and listening to feedback from industry heavyweights like Meta Platforms, Broadcom’s latest CPO switch—the 102.4 Tb/sec “Davisson” Tomahawk 6—signals a shift from early adoption to mainstream use.
The Journey from First-Generation to Mainstream Deployment
Broadcom’s expertise in optics runs deep, tracing back to its technological roots with Hewlett-Packard, Agilent, Avago, and key acquisitions like LSI Logic.
This background let Broadcom pioneer CPO designs for switch ASICs and bring them into production where performance and efficiency really matter.
Humboldt Tomahawk 4 – Pioneering Power Efficiency
The first-generation 25.6 Tb/sec “Humboldt” switch showed significant power reductions compared to pluggable optics. It proved that integrating optical interconnects directly with high-performance switching silicon was possible.
But there was a catch—if the embedded lasers failed, the entire switch needed replacement. That made maintenance tricky in large-scale environments.
Bailly Tomahawk 5 – Reliability Comes of Age
Learning from Humboldt’s issues, Broadcom rolled out the second-generation 51.2 Tb/sec “Bailly” Tomahawk 5. This version featured detachable lasers that could be swapped out in the field, no need to pull the whole switch.
It also cut per-port power use by 14% compared to Humboldt. Meta Platforms put Bailly through its paces for over a million device hours and found zero link flaps or uncorrectable errors, which says a lot about its reliability.
Proven AI and Data Center Performance
Meta’s large-scale trials showed that CPO tech can handle huge 24,000-GPU clusters at more than 90% training efficiency. With 65% less power used per 100 Gb/sec lane than retimed pluggable optics, the upside wasn’t just about speed—it was about real savings.
Impact on Energy Consumption
In data centers, energy use ramps up fast with more compute. Compared to pluggables, CPO could slash optical power needs for a 100,000-XPU cluster from 192 MW to just 42 MW.
That’s over $1 billion in energy cost savings over five years. For hyperscale operators, those numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re game-changing.
Davisson Tomahawk 6 – The Leap to 102.4 Tb/sec
The upcoming third-generation “Davisson” switch doubles Bailly’s bandwidth to 102.4 Tb/sec. That makes it one of the most powerful optical switching solutions ever built.
It features 800 Gb/sec ports using just 3.5 watts, which sets a new bar for port efficiency.
Field-Replaceable Lasers and Advanced Packaging
Davisson introduces fully field-replaceable front-panel lasers for easier maintenance. That should cut downtime and keep operations running smoother.
Broadcom worked with TSMC on COUPE photonic integration, which brings better thermal management and packs in more components. These tweaks help performance and keep things durable, even in the heat of AI and hyperscale facilities.
Industry Collaboration Driving Adoption
Broadcom’s teaming up with partners like Corning, Micas Networks, and Celestica to roll out the Davisson CPO switch at scale.
With its mix of performance, energy efficiency, and easier maintenance, this tech looks set to push large-scale networks away from pluggable optics—and fast.
The Road Ahead for CPO
Organizations keep chasing bigger AI training clusters and faster data center interconnects. CPO is shaping up to be a cornerstone technology in this race.
Broadcom’s earlier generations paved the way for Davisson to finally hit mainstream production. It feels like a real turning point for optical networking.
Broadcom’s CPO story moves from bold early designs to solid, deployable solutions. Their approach—steady innovation, real-world testing, and working closely with others—shows how you can push performance boundaries in ways that actually matter.
The Davisson Tomahawk 6 brings massive energy savings, impressive reliability, and bandwidth that scales. It’s not just another networking upgrade; it’s a foundation for what’s next in AI and hyperscale data center efficiency.
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Here is the source article for this story: The Third Time Will Be The Charm For Broadcom Switch Co-Packaged Optics