Micas Networks has announced that its 51.2T Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) network switch system has entered volume production and is now globally available. The system, developed in partnership with Broadcom, marks the industry’s first CPO-based switch system at this scale, targeting AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data center networks.
As data rates scale to 400Gbps and beyond, traditional copper-based interconnects are reaching their performance limits. Micas’ new switch integrates Broadcom’s 51.2T Bailly CPO switch device, pairing the Tomahawk 5 switch chip with eight 6.4 Tbps Silicon Photonics Chiplets in Package (SCIP) optical engines. This co-packaged design eliminates the need for pluggable transceivers, shortens electrical signal paths, and delivers more than 40% power savings compared to conventional switch systems using pluggable optics.
The 4RU switch system offers 128 ports of 400G FR4 external connectivity and supports fiber-coupled LC or MPO connectors. Designed for AI-driven data centers and hyperscalers, the switch reduces total cost of ownership by combining high port density, reduced power consumption, and simplified thermal management. Micas manufactures the switch in its Malaysia-based factory and is now accepting customer orders.
• Micas has launched the industry’s first 51.2T CPO switch system into volume production.
• Co-designed with Broadcom and powered by the Tomahawk 5-based Bailly chipset.
• CPO system integrates optics directly with the switch chip, eliminating pluggable optics.
• Delivers over 40% power savings versus traditional pluggable transceiver-based switches.
• Provides 128 ports of 400G FR4 connectivity in a 4RU form factor.
• Supports various optical connector options (LC duplex or MPO).
• Compatible with remote laser module (RLM) designs.
• Manufactured in Micas’ co-owned facility in Malaysia with automated cleanroom production.
“Micas is committed to delivering cost-effective, cutting-edge network solutions at scale,” said Charlie Hou, VP of strategy for Micas Networks.
- In March 2024, Broadcom confirmed commercial deliveries of Bailly, the industry’s first 51.2 Tbps co-packaged optics (CPO) Ethernet switch. The product integrates eight silicon photonics based 6.4-Tbps optical engines with Broadcom’s StrataXGS Tomahawk 5 switch chip. Compared to conventional switches with pluggable transceivers, Bailly’s CPO interconnect promises 70% lower power consumption and delivers an 8x improvement in silicon area efficiency. Bailly integrates hundreds of optical components and hundreds of millions of transistors in a single optical engine. The high degree of integration enables the placement of the optical engines on a common substrate with complex logic ASICs minimizing the need for signal conditioning circuitry. 51.2-Tbps CPO Switch Product Highlights:
- Broadcom 51.2-Tbps StrataXGS Tomahawk 5 switch silicon
- Broadcom 6.4T-FR4 Bailly SCIP optical engines with Broadcom Fiber Connector (BFC) for CPO systems
- 4RU system design with high-efficiency air cooling to deliver 128 ports of 400G
- FR4 connectivity externally fiber-coupled with 128 duplex LC optical connectors
- CPO engine to front-panel routing supports traditional single-mode fiber
- System design compatible to support multiple remote laser modules (RLM) for field replaceability
- More than 70% optical interconnect power consumption savings compared to standard pluggable optics solutions