OIF Hosts Industry Workshop on 448Gbps Signaling to Address Next Generation AI and ML Interconnect Challenges

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As AI and machine learning (ML) applications drive unprecedented demand for higher data rates, the industry faces the dual challenge of finalizing 224Gbps signaling while preparing for the transition to 400G/lane technologies. In response, OIF is holding a public industry workshop, “Addressing the Next Rate Challenges: 448Gbps Signaling for AI,” on April 15-16, 2025, at the Hilton Santa Clara in Silicon Valley.

Hosted by OIF and co-sponsored by the Ethernet Alliance, Open Compute Project, SNIA, Ultra Ethernet Consortium and Ultra Accelerator Link™ (UALink™) Consortium, this two-day workshop will serve as a forum for hyperscalers, system vendors, semiconductor companies, optics manufacturers, electrical and optical interconnect and channel suppliers, and test and measurement vendors to align on the challenges and innovations related to 400G/lane electrical and optical interconnects, system architectures, modulations and equalization tradeoffs.

“Workshops like these are essential for driving progress in next generation high-speed networking discussions,” said Nathan Tracy, President of OIF (TE Connectivity). “By bringing together experts from across the industry, we ensure that multiple voices are heard and take a proactive approach to solving today’s and tomorrow’s network challenges. OIF is committed to fostering collaboration that leads to real-world advancements in interoperability and performance.”

Building on previous industry-wide discussions, this workshop will address key challenges, technology gaps and potential solutions critical to achieving scalable, high-speed interconnects, architectures and systems. OIF has actively solicited industry proposals to ensure a diverse range of insights and expertise, fostering an open and collaborative exchange of ideas.

When: April 15-16, 2025 (2-day program)

Where: Hilton Santa Clara, Silicon Valley

Keynote Speakers:
Ashwin Gumaste, Principal AI Network Architect, Microsoft
Tad Hofmeister, Optical Hardware Engineer, Machine Learning Systems, Google Cloud
Xu Wang, Hardware Engineer, Meta Platforms, Inc.
Sara Zebian, Member of Technical Staff, OpenAI

Analyst Speakers:
Lisa Huff, Senior Principal Analyst, Optical Components, Omdia
Alan Weckel, Founder and Technology Analyst, 650 Group
Scott Wilkinson, Lead Analyst, Networking Components, Cignal AI

Who Should Attend: Open to the entire industry, including hyperscalers, network operators, systems vendors, semiconductor companies, optics manufacturers, electrical and optical interconnect providers, test and measurement suppliers as well as industry analysts.

Register: Here.

Key Topics Include:

• Market forces shaping next generation interconnects
• Technology gaps in the transition to 448Gbps signaling
• Modulation techniques and signal integrity considerations
• Optical and electrical channel analysis
• Power, latency and efficiency challenges
• Test and measurement advancements

As the industry pushes toward 400G/lane standardization and adoption, this workshop will provide a unique platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, align on technical roadmaps and drive the next wave of innovation in AI-driven interconnects.

About OIF

OIF is where the optical networking industry’s interoperability work gets done. With more than 25 years of effecting forward change in the industry, OIF represents the dynamic ecosystem of 150+ industry leading network operators, system vendors, component vendors and test equipment vendors collaborating to develop interoperable electrical, optical and control solutions that directly impact the industry’s ecosystem and facilitate global connectivity in the open network world. Connect with OIF on LinkedIn, on X at @OIForum, on Bluesky and at https://www.oiforum.com/.