Semtech Showcases AI Interconnect Leadership with Live 1.6T Demos at OFC 2026
Los Angeles, CA — March 12, 2026 — Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC), a prominent player in the semiconductor and Internet of Things (IoT) sectors, is set to demonstrate its cutting-edge technology at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) 2026. The company will showcase live demonstrations of its high-speed integrated circuits (ICs) at booth #1812, emphasizing its leadership in AI and data center interconnect solutions.
1. Moving Toward 1.6 Tbps Switches
According to the Dell’Oro Group, 2026 is poised to be a landmark year for the deployment of 1.6 Tbps switches, with expected rapid growth anticipated to exceed that of 800 Gbps switches. Projections indicate that over five million ports will be shipped within one to two years. This surge in demand is largely driven by the increasing investment in AI networking, which is forecasted to experience double-digit growth as businesses continue to scale their AI infrastructure.
A Unified Approach to AI Infrastructure
Amit Thakar, Semtech’s Vice President of Signal Integrity Product Marketing, emphasized the importance of an integrated approach to AI infrastructure. “The companies defining AI infrastructure are integrating across the signal chain,” Thakar stated. “Semtech has been building that position deliberately, and OFC is where customers see it in action: live 1.6T and 3.2T demonstrations, multi-vendor ecosystem validation, and a portfolio that now extends deeper into the optical stack than ever before.”
2. Highlights of Demonstrations at OFC 2026
Semtech plans to provide a variety of innovative demonstrations, showcasing their latest technologies:
High-Speed Copper Interconnect for AI Scale-Up
- 1.6T Active Copper Cables (ACCs): Semtech will feature ultra-low-power, low-latency 1.6T ACCs utilizing the GN8234 redriver ICs, operational with NVIDIA’s 224G/lane SerDes in a live traffic scenario.
- 3.2T ACCs: In addition, the company will demonstrate 3.2T ACCs at 448G per channel, powered by the next-generation GN8304 redriver, specifically designed to meet the demands for increased data throughput over copper links.
Multi-Vendor 1.6T Optical Interconnect
- Demo 1: A live demonstration will highlight NVIDIA’s latest-generation 1.6T DR8 OSFP transceiver, driven by Semtech’s GN1834D transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and GN187N1 modulator driver, running in an NVIDIA test platform.
- Demo 2: A further demonstration will feature a 224G/lane 102.4T Ethernet switch transmitting live traffic over both single-mode and multimode fiber, utilizing a range of multi-vendor 1.6T optical OSFP transceivers.
Advanced Optical Technologies
- InP Laser and Gain Chip Technology: The company will showcase its high-output-power C-band gain chip for tunable laser applications within coherent optical modules.
- 448G/Lane PMD ICs: Semtech will display its TN622 modulator driver and TN14740 TIA at 448G/lane, demonstrating innovations aimed at meeting the growing bandwidth needs of AI workloads.
- Passive Optical Networking (PON): The presentation will include a live demonstration of the GN7153C optical line terminal (OLT) Combo IC paired with the GN28L46 Burst Mode TIA for next-gen XGS-PON networks.
3. Educational Presentation at OFC 2026
On March 16, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:00 A.M., Mark Kimber, Senior Director of Product Definition, alongside Dr. Edward Frlan, Senior System Architect, will deliver a presentation titled “200G LPO: Design Challenges and Latest Test Data,” focusing on the advancements in power-efficient optical interconnects.
4. Visit Semtech at OFC 2026
Semtech invites customers and partners to visit their booth #1812 during OFC 2026, scheduled for March 17-19 in Los Angeles, California. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness live demonstrations and engage with Semtech’s technical experts. Additionally, Semtech will participate in the OFC Career Fair, where prospective candidates can explore job opportunities and meet the team.
5. Conclusion
As Semtech continues to push the boundaries of semiconductor technology and connectivity solutions, its presence at OFC 2026 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation in the AI and data center realms. The demonstrations and presentations planned for this event are set to highlight the company’s significant advancements, reinforcing its role as a leader in the industry.
