Japanese technology manufacturer Furukawa Electric has unveiled a newly developed 12-fiber optical connector designed to support the rapid expansion of co-packaged optics (CPO) in next-generation data centers.
The accelerating adoption of generative AI is driving demand for higher bandwidth and lower power consumption in data center infrastructure. In CPO architectures, optical transceivers are positioned close to large-scale integrated circuits such as switch ASICs and GPUs, significantly shortening electrical transmission paths. This approach enables high-speed communication while reducing overall power consumption. However, efficient deployment requires compact, detachable optical connectors at the edge of the transceiver device.
Furukawa Electric’s new 12-fiber connector is substantially smaller than conventional multi-fiber optical connectors, occupying just one-sixth the connection area of standard MPO connectors. The design incorporates a semi-automatic magnetic alignment mechanism, improving ease of installation and operational efficiency.
Engineered for integration into CPO substrates, the connector can withstand 260°C reflow soldering processes. It also utilizes lens-based optical coupling, minimizing performance degradation even when dust adheres to the optical end face an important feature for dust-prone data center environments. The device achieves connection loss below 0.5 dB, with repeatability maintained within ±0.05 dB.
Beyond CPO applications, the connector can function as a compact multi-fiber optical interface for broader fiber interconnection needs. It is compatible with high-density mounting on glass waveguide substrates, which are expected to play a role in next-generation photonics-electronics convergence platforms. The company is also extending the architecture to support higher fiber counts, including 16-fiber configurations, with a 40-fiber version currently under development.
The technology will be presented at OFC 2025, taking place from March 30 to April 3 in San Francisco, where Furukawa Electric will deliver an oral presentation and exhibit product samples.
The development forms part of a broader research initiative under Japan’s “Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems” (JPNP20017), commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), reinforcing the company’s role in advancing high-performance optical connectivity solutions for AI-driven infrastructure.
