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ABOUT THE COCOPOP PROJECT

The explosion in data processing due to the adoption of AI/ML is putting further pressure on datacentre networks and in large computing arenas. The migration of the optical interconnect to the board (Co-Packaged Optics) and to the chip (Optical I/O) in datacenter networks is a potential solution to solve challenges around bandwidth, signal integrity, power and face-plate density. However, only a few years into this new CPO/OIO paradigm, and already scaling issues are emerging. Two of the available dimensions for system scaling (fiber, and wavelength count) are already heavily utilised, posing scaling challenges in the near term. 

And so new innovations will be needed to overcome them. The third scaling dimension is the data rate per wavelength. Today, all of these CPO/OIO systems use intensity modulation/direct detection (IM/DD) communication which are limited by optical power and signal to noise ratio (SNR). Industry trends suggest that a transition to coherent communication in these systems, where the data rate per wavelength can continue to scale, is inevitable.

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The COCOPOP ELS will be the world’s first coherent-capable ELS based on a chip scale comb laser and will solve the scaling challenges in the CPO/OIO systems by enabling highly parallel, high bit rate coherent communication in the datacentre for the first time – enabling a dramatic increase in throughput.

  • Comb-Based, Coherent-Capable ELS 

    In COCOPOP, we will deliver a comb-based coherent-capable external laser source (ELS) product to TRL7 that enables continued scaling of CPO/OIO systems even with today’s IM/DD solutions, while future proofing and enabling this inevitable transition to coherent.

  • The Technology 

    The COCOPOP ELS technology combines patented Silicon Nitride (SiN) chip scale comb laser technology based on novel micro-cavities with power efficient pumping and an injection locked demultiplexer laser array, that locks to the SiN comb, to simultaneously demultiplex, amplify and flatten the comb tones while inheriting low linewidth synchronisation, phase correlation and improved wavelength stability. 

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  • Competition

    The COCOPOP ELS has unique benefits that set it apart from commercial state of the art, such as an unmatched linewidth, relative intensity noise, output power, and wavelength stability derived from the synchronisation and injection locking of independent lasers with a low linewidth, phase-correlated, frequency-locked optical frequency comb. It will deliver 4- 16 times more wavelengths, with linewidths 10 – 100 times better, and capable of delivering 6 -10 times more throughput than today’s solutions.

OUR VISION

At Pilot Photonics, we envision a future where COCOCOPOP is the backbone of AI/ML datacenter connectivity, either directly or through strategic partnerships. We aim to tackle the complexities of datacenter scaling, delivering technology that enhances lives globally. 

In our view, the question on coherent CPO is not “if?”, it is “when!” . 

The COCOPOP external laser source enables continued scaling of today’s IM/DD systems but becomes a critical requirement when full coherent emerges. Aside from the chip-scale comb ELS, Pilot Photonics has other key enabling and patented technologies for coherent CPO in its portfolio. These include a novel ring resonator-based IQ modulator for the SiP transceivers, and comb-laser enhanced digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms which reduces cost, complexity, and power consumption. 

These innovations are relevant to both pluggable and CPO architectures today and can help unlock coherent communication inside the datacentre. They enable datacentre switches at 204.8T and beyond as well as longer reach CPO systems at 10km (LR) distances or more.

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1 Pilot Photonics' vision for the CPO/OIO Industry Roadmap. We believe that coherent communication in this segment is 
inevitable, but today’s technologies don’t support it well. The COCOPOP external laser source enables continued scaling of today’s IM/DD systems but becomes a critical requirement when full coherent emerges.
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2 COCOPOP ELS - the world's first coherent capable ELS and its target Specifications 
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3 Pilot Photonics' C3PO (Coherent Comb for Co-packaged optics). Bringing together several key enabling innovations to continue scaling in CPO/OIO/Chiplet, including: the comb-enhanced ELS, coherent ring resonator modulators, CPO transceiver engine, and comb-enhanced digital signal processing. 
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The COCOPOP project is structured around technology readiness levels (TRLs), with a total of six work-packages, where technical development and customer engagement go hand-in-hand. 

The key milestones are:

  • Breadboard prototype meeting spec - TRL5 (Apr '25) 

  • Spec & form-factor compliant unit - TRL6 (Apr '26) 

  • Successful customer trials complete - TRL7 (Apr '27) 

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COCOPOP has received funding from the European Union's HORIZON-EIC-2023-TRANSITION CHALLENGES Programme under grant agreement No. 101159210.