Semtech Corporation, a high-performance semiconductor, IoT systems and cloud connectivity service provider, has announced availability of its CopperEdge family of active copper cable (ACC) and on-board equalisation technology. This portfolio of linear equaliser/redriver solutions—featuring the GN8214, GN8224 and GN8234—transforms data centre connectivity for artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) data centre deployments at a fraction of the power consumption of Digital Signal Processing (DSP)-based Active Electrical Cables (AECs) while achieving longer-reach copper infrastructure than direct attach copper (DAC) cables. As an equaliser IC solution for 1.6T ACCs, this breakthrough technology enables unprecedented bandwidth density for AI/ML data centres while reducing interconnect power consumption and maximising data throughput under strict thermal constraints.
“As AI workloads drive exponential growth in data centre bandwidth requirements, the industry faces critical power and thermal challenges,” said Brian Bentham, the data centre market manager at Semtech. “CopperEdge represents a paradigm shift in connectivity, delivering the signal integrity and reach extension needed for next-generation AI clusters while dramatically reducing power consumption and implementation complexity compared to DSP-based options. With our proven production capabilities, Semtech continues to lead the market in delivering high-performance connectivity solutions for today’s most advanced data centres.”
Semtech’s comprehensive ecosystem approach brings together multiple cable OEM partners, ensuring robust supply chain resilience and consistent product quality at scale. This established partner network enables rapid adoption of CopperEdge technology across diverse AI/ML more deployments while maintaining the rigorous performance and reliability standards demanded by hyperscale data centres.
CopperEdge: Enabling the future of AI infrastructure
The CopperEdge portfolio supports both current and emerging connectivity standards, with the GN8214 optimised for 112G/channel PAM4 applications (enabling 800G connectivity), while the GN8224 and GN8234 target next-generation 224G/channel PAM4 deployments (supporting1.6T connectivity).
Breakthrough technical innovations
- Ultra-low power: Less than 2W per cable end power consumption—90% lower than DSP-based AECs—enabling denser AI/ML deployments within existing data power envelopes.
- Ultra-low latency: Sub-100ps latency delivers over 100x improvement compared to higher latency DSP-based retimers, critical for distributed AI training.
- Extended reach performance
- 800G copper cables to 5m.
- 1.6T copper cables to 3m.
- Enhanced PCB trace length for both 112G/channel and 224G/channel designs.
- Optimised for AI/ML deployments
- Reduced cable diameter improves airflow/cooling in dense compute clusters.
- Seamless compatibility with existing 100G/channel and 200G/channel infrastructure in data centres.
- Simplified deployment versus DSP-based retimers.
The CopperEdge family includes:
- GN8214: 4-channel 112G/channel PAM4 linear equaliser supporting 800G ACC and onboard applications.
- GN8224 / GN8234: Advanced 4-channel 224G/channel PAM4 cable equalisers supporting 1.6T ACC and on-board applications.
Learn more about Semtech’s high-performance optical, analog and mixed-signal IC signal integrity solutions at www.semtech.com/optical.
Meet Semtech’s optical experts at OFC 2025
Visit Semtech at the 2025 Optical Fibre Communications Conference and Exhibition (OFC) in San Francisco, April 1-3, Corporate Village #1028. Our technical experts will provide personalised consultations on how our comprehensive portfolio can address your specific optical networking challenges. Experience live demonstrations of our latest technologies for data centre interconnects, next generation 800G/1.6T optical connectivity, and high-performance analogue solutions designed to meet your optical communications needs.
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