Intel has made significant advancements in AI infrastructure for data centers and high-performance computing applications, with the latest development being the industry’s first fully integrated optical computing interconnect (OCI) chiplet. This OCI chiplet, developed by Intel’s Integrated Photonic Solutions (IPS) group, is packaged together with an Intel CPU and enables live data execution.
The OCI chiplet is designed to support 64 channels of 32 gigabits per second (Gbps) data transmission in each direction over up to 100 meters of optical fiber. This addresses the increasing need for energy efficiency, long-distance communication, and higher broadband capacity. It also ensures future scalability of CPU/GPU cluster connectivity and supports new compute architectures like coherent memory expansion and resource disaggregation.
The integration of optical I/O with GPU and CPU technologies allows for significantly greater data transport capacity over longer distances, similar to upgrading from manual animal transport to a fast truck. This innovation is crucial for supporting the rapid growth of Generative AI Platforms powered by large language models like GPT, Gemini, and Llama. These platforms require scalable infrastructure and increased I/O bandwidth to handle larger processing unit architectures with more efficient resource utilization.
Intel will be offering the new OCI prototype to select customers, allowing them to combine it with their system-on-chip (SoC) designs to create optical I/O solutions. This technology represents a significant step forward in enhancing AI infrastructure and enabling more efficient data processing for advanced AI applications.
In summary, Intel has developed the industry’s first fully integrated optical computing interconnect (OCI) chiplet to enhance AI infrastructure for data centers and high-performance computing applications. This technology allows for high-speed data transmission over optical fiber, supporting energy efficiency, long-distance communication, and future scalability of CPU/GPU cluster connectivity. By integrating optical I/O with CPU and GPU technologies, Intel is enabling more efficient data processing and resource utilization for advanced AI applications. The OCI chiplet will be available to select customers for integration into their system-on-chip (SoC) designs, further advancing the capabilities of AI infrastructure.
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