World’s first successful PCI express 5.0 optical signal transmission test

This world’s first test converted a PCIe 5.0 (32Gbps transmission speed) electrical signal into an optical signal using an end-point Add-in Card (AIC).

Anritsu and KYOCERA will publicly repeat the test live at OFC2023 in San Diego, Calif., USA, from Tues., March 7^th to Thurs., March 9^th, 2023.

Test background

Advanced value-added services such as 5G, IoT and Cloud applications are spreading rapidly, creating unprecedented demand for faster data speeds and larger data capacities. However, today’s power-intensive datacentres face cost and sustainability issues as they increase transmission speeds and capacity. This Anritsu/KYOCERA test converted an electrical signal into an optical signal at an early stage by mounting an on-board optics module — greatly miniaturised through KYOCERA’s multilayer ceramic technology — close to the host (a MP1900A simulating a CPU output signal for test purposes). The test verified that the E/O-converted signal was transmitted at the PCIe 5.0 standard 32Gbps speed to the endpoint located 25 metres from the host. In addition, the successful optical signal transmission test proved the potential for this technology to reduce datacentre power consumption through lower signal loss. In the future, signal transmission between servers will not use Ethernet due power consumptions issues and latency. Instead, servers will use direct PCIe connections.

Operators of next-generation datacentres using PCIe optical signal transmission will enjoy the business benefits of lower power consumption and reduced latency.

With this successful test, Anritsu and KYOCERA are helping to solve the evolving challenges of tomorrow’s digital society.

Demonstration outline

The OFC2023 demonstration will introduce Anritsu’s MP1900A simulating the CPU host side and KYOCERA’s on-board optics module at an equipment connection with an endpoint AIC. Items “a” through “d” in the below figure are explained as follows:

a)       The PCIe 5.0 electrical signal output from the MP1900A is converted into an optical signal by the on-board optics module before transmission. After optical transmission and reconversion back to an electrical signal by the on-board optics module at the 25m distant endpoint side, the electrical signal is connected to the AIC

b)      The AIC switches to Loopback Mode using the signal transmitted through the on-board optics modules by the MP1900A Link Training function

c)       The MP1900A receives the Loopback data from the AIC and confirms the data are error-free.

d)      The optical signal transmitted from the on-board optics module is split and input to Anritsu’s Sampling Oscilloscope MP2110A for monitoring to verify that the PCIe 5.0 optical signal is transmitted correctly

Outline of Anritsu signal quality analyser-R MP1900A

The MP1900A is a high-performance BERT for Rx tests of high-speed computing and data communications interfaces, including PCIe, USB, Thunderbolt, and 400/800GbE. Link Training Status State Machine (LTSSM) functions are supported by an industry-best level PAM4/NRZ PPG for high-quality waveforms, high-sensitivity input ED, high-accuracy jitter generation source (SJ, RJ, SSC, BUJ), and vertical noise generation source (CM-I/DM-I and white noise), facilitating various applications, including compliance and margin tests, as well as troubleshooting. 

Outline of Anritsu BERTWave MP2110A

With a built-in CRU, the MP2110A 4-ch sampling oscilloscope is the ideal all-in-one solution for analysing NRZ and PAM4 Eye patterns of 10G-800G optical transceivers and devices. Combining a sampling oscilloscope and CRU in one tester facilitates easy and space-saving operation.

Outline of KYOCERA on-board optics module

Due to its miniaturised form factor, KYOCERA’s on-board optics module facilitates easy processor-adjacent mounting to both convert electrical signals from the processor at the earliest possible stage and cut wiring losses when sending/receiving electrical signals. Moreover, this KYOCERA product achieves a world’s first 512Gbps transmission band to help datacentres and supercomputers cut power consumption and implement faster speed and larger capacities.