[Editor's Note] Massive amounts of data are being generated due to 5G, cloud services, AI, and machine learning, and there is a growing demand for technologies and components to process this data quickly, reduce operating costs, and ensure safety. Furthermore, with the proliferation of wireless solutions, solutions designed to overcome the limitations of distance between devices are receiving significant attention. In particular, Ethernet is gaining popularity and increasing adoption due to its high reliability, despite its short communication range. Accordingly, this publication arranged an interview with Tao Lang, Senior Product Marketing Manager of the Communications Business Unit at Microchip Technology, to learn about Ethernet solutions, related technologies, and products.

Recently, 112G PAM4 SerDes products and their ecosystems have been attracting attention in the mega-data center industry. I am curious to know what you think is the reason for this. I also want to know what problems 112G PAM4 SerDes can solve in the industry.

The evolution to 112G PAM4 is attracting significant attention in the industry because it doubles the bandwidth of switches and routers compared to 56G PAM4, enabling data center architectures to continue expanding to larger topologies and capacities. 112G PAM4 is also required for 800G Ethernet optics such as the QSFP-DD800.

Over the past six years, Ethernet speeds have increased from 25G/50G to the current 400G, and are expected to reach 800G soon. When do you think 800G will be implemented? Also, I am curious to know what challenges users will face when actually deploying it.

We expect to be able to start some initial 800G testing in 2022 or 2023. 800G Ethernet requires 112G SerDes, and signal integrity issues at these speeds will need to be overcome. I would also like to mention that the META-DX2L can be used as a retimer to address these issues.

■ Switch speed has continuously increased from 12.8T to 51.2T. I would like to know what problems this phenomenon causes in the currently operating SerDes PHY.

51.2.T switches drive multiple 112G SerDes ports, leading to system SI issues, which can be resolved with a retimer such as the META-DX2L. As density increases, power management is required. The META-DX2L provides savings of up to 35% compared to the previous generation. As capacity and complexity increase, board space becomes limited, and the META-DX2L is the most compact, space-saving PHY with a 1.6T bandwidth.

In addition, as switch capacity increases, Ethernet port speeds must also increase, and the META-DX2L fully supports the latest Ethernet speed, 800GbE.

■ Microchip has launched the PM6200 META-DX2L in preparation for the 800G market. I would like to know what technologies were utilized to achieve signal loss optimization, crosstalk, high throughput, and low power consumption.

The META-DX2L utilizes advanced 6nm CMOS technology along with advanced design techniques based on the success of the META-DX1 Ethernet PHY. The META-DX2L can be viewed as a product that integrates Microchip's extensive design expertise, including high-speed connectivity, precise timing, constant latency, and multi-speed design.

The PM6200 META-DX2L is equipped with 32 Long Range (LR) supported 112G PAM4 SerDes. In contrast, actual data centers require a combination of SerDes that support Very Short Range (VSR), Medium Range (MR), and Long Range (LR). What performance characteristics are required for 112G PAM4 SerDes to provide optimized performance across these three interfaces? Furthermore, what is the most suitable SerDes PHY architecture for the user?

The META-DX2L provides long-range (LR) supported 112G PAM4 SerDes with built-in programming capabilities to optimize performance-to-power ratio. The device can be configured to meet SerDes requirements for all use cases. In addition, the META-DX2L SerDes architecture can adjust power consumption based on reach.

As you know, simulation performance varies with temperature. The PM6200 META-DX2L supports an industrial temperature range, allowing it to be deployed in outdoor environments, and also supports heatless upgrades and warm restart functions. I would like to know how this was implemented.

The META-DX2L is designed for carrier-grade equipment to cover both indoor and outdoor environments and features flexible capabilities for use in a variety of applications ranging from retimers, gearboxes or reverse gearboxes to heatless 2:1 multiplexers (mux).

Microchip is a company with a long history of supporting warm restarts across various product families over several generations.

Microchip provides excellent solutions based on extensive experience and advanced process nodes.

■ I wonder if user interest in Microchip's proven total system solutions is increasing beyond the PM6200 META-DX2L. I would like to know what efforts Microchip is making to reduce the difficulties of the development process.

Customers can achieve greater value and start production faster by leveraging Microchip's total system solutions through pre-validated components in a single system.

The entire system solution of the MMETA-DX2L starts with a 112G SerDes PHY and extends to a phase-locked loop, clock buffer, oscillator, LDO (Low-dropout Regulator), temperature sensor, and secure boot device.

The META-DX2L total system solution is a pre-designed solution that provides the performance necessary to support all aspects of design. Based on this differentiated solution provided by Microchip, developers can focus solely on design implementation.