Marvell Technology has introduced new active copper cable (ACC) linear equalizers to expand its connectivity portfolio for AI and data center applications. The launch addresses the growing bandwidth, thermal, and power challenges faced by hyperscale data centers as they scale AI workloads across increasingly dense infrastructure.
While copper remains the preferred medium for in-rack scale-up interconnects due to cost and simplicity, traditional direct attach copper (DAC) cables struggle to meet next-generation system demands for thinner cables and longer reach. Marvell’s new analog ACC devices integrate PAM4-based signal equalization, enabling longer distances with minimal latency and lower power consumption than digital active solutions.
Built on Marvell’s expertise in 100G/lane and 200G/lane analog technologies, the ACC linear equalizers extend reach and performance for 800G and 1.6T copper interconnects. They complement Marvell’s existing lineup of active electrical cable (AEC) and active optical cable (AOC) chipsets, rounding out the company’s full scale-up interconnect portfolio for AI infrastructure. The products are currently sampling to customers and are being showcased at the OCP Global Summit 2025 in San Jose.
• New analog ACC linear equalizers extend the reach of copper interconnects with minimal latency
• Support for 800G and 1.6T data rates using Marvell’s PAM4 signaling technology
• Complementary to Marvell’s AEC and AOC silicon portfolio for complete in-rack connectivity coverage
• Optimized for AI data center scale-up architectures demanding thinner, thermally efficient cabling
“Offering a full complement of ACC, AEC and AOC silicon technologies, Marvell is unique in the scale-up interconnect landscape, providing customers with a full range of solutions to meet their individual requirements,” said Xi Wang, senior vice president and general manager, Connectivity Business Unit at Marvell.
🌐 Analysis:
Marvell’s expansion into ACC linear equalizers reinforces its position as a key silicon provider for next-generation AI data center fabrics. By addressing in-rack copper limitations, Marvell competes directly with vendors like Broadcom, Astera Labs, and Credo, which are all advancing PAM4 and retimer-based solutions. The move also strengthens Marvell’s participation in OCP-aligned AI infrastructure, where power efficiency and modular interconnects are becoming critical design priorities.
🌐 We’re tracking the latest developments in networking silicon. Follow our ongoing coverage at: https://convergedigest.com/category/semiconductors/
