Switches integrate optical ports and optical modules
Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) is an optoelectronic co-packaging technology that integrates an optical module (responsible for optical signal transmission and reception) and a switch ASIC (responsible for electrical signal processing) into the same physical package. From Jensen Huang showcasing CPO switches at GTC 2025 to a wide range of vendors demonstrating optical engines integrated inside ASIC packages at OFC 2025, CPOs are everywhere. As data demands grow, these systems face limitations such as bandwidth constraints, latency issues, and space limitations. This article provides a comprehensive overview of CPO optical modules, exploring their technology, benefits, challenges, and the pivotal role they play in future data centers and AI infrastructure. Optical modules and switches, as core network hardware, form a closely interdependent and symbiotic relationship—optical modules are the "extension arms" of switches that overcome transmission limitations, while switches are the "command center" for optical modules to function.
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