Keysight Technologies has expanded its 1.6T Ethernet interconnect validation portfolio, introducing advanced capabilities to test passive copper and low-power optical technologies critical for modern AI and high-performance computing (HPC) environments. The latest enhancements are designed to improve reliability and minimize deployment risks as data center networks scale to meet increasing performance demands.
With the increase in the complexity of AI and HPC infrastructures, the performance of interconnect technologies like Direct Attach Cables (DAC), Active Copper Cables (ACC), Low Power Optics (LPO), and Linear Receive Optics (LRO) must ensure ultra-fast speeds while maintaining the benefits of efficiency and power consumption. This is an urgent requirement since the energy requirements of data centers are expected to increase substantially over the next decade.
To overcome these challenges, Keysight has improved its Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE (INPT-1600GE) and AresONE 1600GE. The improvements enable the precise and repeatable testing of the error performance of a wider range of 224G interconnects. It is possible to identify the most reliable interconnects to prevent costly downtime of mission-critical AI networks.
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These improvements enable the testing of various types of interconnects. These types of interconnects include coherent optical transceivers for long-distance data center interconnects, fully retimed optics for mid-range applications, and low power optical interconnects for high density switching applications. The portfolio also includes validation for active electrical and copper cables used in short-range, high-efficiency deployments within data center racks.
Advances in silicon technologies—such as digital signal processors, retimers, and amplifiers—are enabling higher speeds and longer reach, but they also introduce complexity in tuning and optimization. Keysight’s solutions address this by enabling system-level validation, ensuring interconnects perform reliably when integrated with real-world networking equipment like GPUs, switches, and routers.
“Keysight’s new second-generation 1.6T test capabilities address the challenges presented by 224G interconnects for 1.6T-capable networks. Keysight has long supported 224G silicon and interconnect development through our active participation in the development of industry standards in the IEEE802.3, the OIF, the LPO-MSA, and recently we’ve joined the newly announced ACC-MSA. Keysight will continue to rapidly deliver next-generation products that support the industry’s transition to 224G and beyond.”