Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ADOPTION (Advance co-packaged optics enabling high-efficiency cloud computing)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
Hyperscale data centres are becoming the cornerstone of our digital infrastructure, playing a critical role in handling the vast data processing, storage, and networking requirements fuelled by the growth of cloud computing, IoT, social media, and AI. These facilities are integral to the digital economy, providing unparalleled scalability and efficiency. The ADOPTION project is tackling the pressing challenges faced by hyperscale data centres. As data traffic continues to surge, conventional technologies are reaching their limits, resulting in significant inefficiencies and escalating energy demands.
Face-plate pluggable opto-electronic modules have historically been vital in connecting and managing data traffic within data centres, including hyperscale facilities. These modules are used to link servers, switches, and other networking equipment through optical fibres, facilitating high-speed data transmission over relatively short distances. However, as data centres have scaled to hyperscale levels—where the infrastructure must handle massive amounts of data and numerous connections—the limitations of face-plate pluggable modules have become more apparent. The primary challenges with these modules in hyperscale environments are their limited bandwidth and increasing power consumption. Hyperscale data centres demand higher throughput and greater efficiency, which these traditional modules struggle to provide due to the physical constraints of their electrical interfaces. As a result, they can become bottlenecks, restricting the overall performance and scalability of the data centre.
To address these issues, the ADOPTION project is developing innovative optical interconnects and packaging technologies. The aim is to create more efficient, higher-capacity solutions that can handle the massive data flows anticipated in the future. The project focuses on three key areas: developing optical switching architectures that reduce latency and boost data throughput; advancing 2.5D and 3D co-packaging techniques to seamlessly integrate high-speed electronic and photonic components, thus lowering power consumption and costs; and pushing the boundaries of photonic interconnects through dense wavelength division multiplexing to achieve unprecedented data rates and bandwidth density.
The expected impact of ADOPTION is significant, with anticipated breakthroughs in energy efficiency and data transfer speeds. The project is set to establish a European-led ecosystem for co-packaged optical transceivers, reducing dependence on non-European technologies and driving innovation within European SMEs. By advancing these cutting-edge technologies, ADOPTION aims to not only lower power consumption but also create scalable data centre architectures capable of meeting future demands, including those from AI and high-performance computing.
The project not only tackles immediate technical challenges but also positions Europe as a leader in next-generation data centre technologies. The innovations from ADOPTION are likely to have a lasting impact on the industry, supporting the growing needs of digital services and ensuring that Europe's digital infrastructure remains at the forefront of global progress.
Face-plate pluggable opto-electronic modules have historically been vital in connecting and managing data traffic within data centres, including hyperscale facilities. These modules are used to link servers, switches, and other networking equipment through optical fibres, facilitating high-speed data transmission over relatively short distances. However, as data centres have scaled to hyperscale levels—where the infrastructure must handle massive amounts of data and numerous connections—the limitations of face-plate pluggable modules have become more apparent. The primary challenges with these modules in hyperscale environments are their limited bandwidth and increasing power consumption. Hyperscale data centres demand higher throughput and greater efficiency, which these traditional modules struggle to provide due to the physical constraints of their electrical interfaces. As a result, they can become bottlenecks, restricting the overall performance and scalability of the data centre.
To address these issues, the ADOPTION project is developing innovative optical interconnects and packaging technologies. The aim is to create more efficient, higher-capacity solutions that can handle the massive data flows anticipated in the future. The project focuses on three key areas: developing optical switching architectures that reduce latency and boost data throughput; advancing 2.5D and 3D co-packaging techniques to seamlessly integrate high-speed electronic and photonic components, thus lowering power consumption and costs; and pushing the boundaries of photonic interconnects through dense wavelength division multiplexing to achieve unprecedented data rates and bandwidth density.
The expected impact of ADOPTION is significant, with anticipated breakthroughs in energy efficiency and data transfer speeds. The project is set to establish a European-led ecosystem for co-packaged optical transceivers, reducing dependence on non-European technologies and driving innovation within European SMEs. By advancing these cutting-edge technologies, ADOPTION aims to not only lower power consumption but also create scalable data centre architectures capable of meeting future demands, including those from AI and high-performance computing.
The project not only tackles immediate technical challenges but also positions Europe as a leader in next-generation data centre technologies. The innovations from ADOPTION are likely to have a lasting impact on the industry, supporting the growing needs of digital services and ensuring that Europe's digital infrastructure remains at the forefront of global progress.
During the first phase of the ADOPTION project, significant progress was made in developing new technologies for data centres. The project focused on creating advanced designs and specifications for data centre systems, reaching important milestones in improving network performance and efficiency. One of the key achievements was designing a new type of flat-optical network architecture capable of connecting up to 65,536 computing units, which is expected to greatly enhance the efficiency of AI clusters.
The project takes a modular approach to design which refers to the strategy of developing and optimising individual components separately, allowing for specialised innovations and easier integration into various systems, which also helps promote European technological independence and creates new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Achievements on this objective include designing and building crucial optical components such as arrayed waveguide gratings, an advanced optical switch, and a high power multi-wavelength laser source. An optical port breakout module to support the separation and combination of high-capacity data flows was also fabricated, showing promising initial results.
Additionally, two generations of Transceiver Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) were created, with the latest version capable of handling data at speeds of 112Gb/s per channel. The project also established processes for assembling and packaging these components and developed precise methods for aligning multiple fibre connections.
Efforts to reduce power consumption in the new optical technologies showed significant progress, with potential energy savings of up to 64% compared to current industry standards. Despite some delays, the first period of the project successfully completed the development of various optical technologies, paving the way for further advancements in the next period.
The project takes a modular approach to design which refers to the strategy of developing and optimising individual components separately, allowing for specialised innovations and easier integration into various systems, which also helps promote European technological independence and creates new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Achievements on this objective include designing and building crucial optical components such as arrayed waveguide gratings, an advanced optical switch, and a high power multi-wavelength laser source. An optical port breakout module to support the separation and combination of high-capacity data flows was also fabricated, showing promising initial results.
Additionally, two generations of Transceiver Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) were created, with the latest version capable of handling data at speeds of 112Gb/s per channel. The project also established processes for assembling and packaging these components and developed precise methods for aligning multiple fibre connections.
Efforts to reduce power consumption in the new optical technologies showed significant progress, with potential energy savings of up to 64% compared to current industry standards. Despite some delays, the first period of the project successfully completed the development of various optical technologies, paving the way for further advancements in the next period.
In the first reporting period, the ADOPTION project made substantial progress, achieving results that push the boundaries of current technology. Key developments include the creation of energy-efficient photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and a scalable flat-optical network architecture design that can connect up to 65,536 compute nodes. These innovations are set to significantly improve data centre efficiency and scalability, positioning the project at the forefront of next-generation datacentre technologies.
To capitalise on these advancements, several key steps are required. Ongoing research and large-scale demonstrations are needed to confirm the performance of these technologies in real-world applications. Building strategic partnerships with data centre operators will be crucial to ensure these solutions reach the market. Strong intellectual property protection will be essential to support commercialisation and safeguard the innovations developed.
Furthermore, aligning the project's outcomes with current regulatory standards is necessary to facilitate adoption. Engagement in international collaboration and standardisation activities will be vital to securing global recognition and ensuring the technologies are successfully brought to market. Addressing these areas will be critical to advancing the project’s impact and securing its long-term success.
To capitalise on these advancements, several key steps are required. Ongoing research and large-scale demonstrations are needed to confirm the performance of these technologies in real-world applications. Building strategic partnerships with data centre operators will be crucial to ensure these solutions reach the market. Strong intellectual property protection will be essential to support commercialisation and safeguard the innovations developed.
Furthermore, aligning the project's outcomes with current regulatory standards is necessary to facilitate adoption. Engagement in international collaboration and standardisation activities will be vital to securing global recognition and ensuring the technologies are successfully brought to market. Addressing these areas will be critical to advancing the project’s impact and securing its long-term success.