The leading company in semiconductor solutions introduces the first 1.6 Tbps PAM4 interconnect platform to address the bandwidth demands of AI
Marvell Technology, Inc., a global leader in semiconductor technology for data infrastructures, has announced the launch of Marvell Ara, the industry’s first 3nm PAM4 interconnect platform capable of reaching speeds of 1.6 Tbps. This innovation is designed to meet the growing needs for bandwidth and energy efficiency in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructures.
An optimized solution for AI and cloud
The Ara platform, built on Marvell’s expertise in PAM4 technology, integrates eight electrical channels and eight optical channels, each operating at 200 Gbps, achieving a total throughput of 1.6 Tbps in a compact module. By utilizing 3nm technology and incorporating high-performance laser drivers, Ara promises to reduce the energy consumption of optical modules by more than 20%. This advancement not only lowers operating costs but also simplifies the design of the modules, setting a new standard for data infrastructures.
Xi Wang, Vice President of Product Marketing for Optical Connectivity at Marvell, stated: “Ara sets a new standard in the industry by leveraging 3nm technology to achieve significant energy reduction. This drives mass adoption of 1.6 Tbps connectivity in AI infrastructures.”
Meeting future demands
The Ara platform is compatible with 200 Gbps input/output interfaces on switches, network interface cards (NICs), and processing units (XPUs). Furthermore, it ensures backward compatibility with previous generations, facilitating integration into existing data centers. This flexibility, combined with its energy efficiency, makes it a key solution for hyperscale data centers looking to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) while meeting the demands of data-intensive applications.
Ara’s key features:
- 200 Gbps per channel support: Ideal for AI-driven applications.
- PAM4 compatibility: Essential technology for high-speed data transmissions.
- Reduced energy consumption: Integrated laser drivers that optimize performance and simplify design.
- Network flexibility: Compatible with InfiniBand and Ethernet, accommodating diverse topologies.
- Advanced switching capabilities: Optimized architecture to enhance routing flexibility.
The PAM4 market revolution
According to Bob Wheeler, an analyst at LightCounting, shipments of PAM4 DSPs are expected to triple by 2029, reaching nearly 127 million units per year. “Ara represents another milestone for Marvell, demonstrating that PAM4 technology continues to evolve to tackle the challenges of AI infrastructures,” Wheeler stated.
Availability and next steps
The Ara platform will be available to selected customers in the first quarter of 2025. This launch marks the beginning of a series of innovations from Marvell, which will continue to reimagine data infrastructure optimization strategies throughout 2025 and beyond.
About Marvell
With over 25 years of experience, Marvell is a leader in semiconductor technology, designing solutions that connect, store, process, and secure the world’s data. Through deep and transparent collaborations, the company transforms enterprise, cloud, automotive, and operator architectures.