News: Optoelectronics
29 September 2023
Sivers demos DFB laser arrays supporting 4 Terabit GPU-to-GPU communication for generative AI
IC and integrated module supplier Sivers Semiconductors AB of Kista, Sweden says that, at the European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC 2023) in Glasgow, Scotland, UK (1–5 October), its subsidiary Sivers Photonics of Glasgow, Scotland, UK is showcasing its range of custom III-V photonic devices in booth #615 of the exhibition (2–4 October), with a focus on CW-WDM MSA compliant 8-wavelength O-band CW DFB laser arrays (shown as part of a live demo).
Specifically, Sivers is hosting a joint live demonstration with silicon photonics-based chip-to-chip optical connectivity firm Ayar Labs of Santa Clara, CA, USA, showcasing Sivers’ 8-wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array, integrated into the Ayar Labs SuperNova multi-wavelength optical source supporting 4 Terabit data communication.
This joint technology between the firms is said to be driving breakthroughs supporting generative AI applications. As foundational AI models have become larger and more complex, they require more GPU processing and memory capacity. Integrating optical I/O within the GPU package to communicate with the rest of the GPU cluster allows for efficient scaling of infrastructures to handle ever-growing AI demands. By using optical connections instead of electrical connections, power consumption can be reduced by up to 90% while allowing for 5–10x better communication within the AI cluster to increase utilization of all GPUs.
“Electrical communication in generative AI clusters is getting to its limit, with regards to speed, heat and capacity,” notes Sivers Semiconductors’ group CEO Anders Storm. “With Sivers laser array we will be able to allow for 5–10x better performance with up to 90% less power consumption to give generative AI clusters the performance needed,” he adds. “With Sivers’ lasers integrated in Ayar Labs SuperNova multi-wavelength optical source, we are working together to solve one of the main challenges for GPU-to-GPU communication to support the future revolution of generative AI applications.”
In addition to its presence at the exhibition, Sivers Photonics’ interim managing director & chief technology officer Andrew McKee is presenting ‘Advances in InP Laser Arrays for Data Centre and Sensing Applications’ on 3 October (11.20am) on the Market Focus stage in the exhibition area.
McKee is also a speaker and panellist in the symposium ‘PICs for Quantum Applications’ (3 October, 3.30–5pm), presenting ‘High Performance Laser sources for Hybrid PIC Quantum Applications’.
Sivers Photonics receives $1m order from Ayar Labs
