The Porrima™ Gen3 Single-Lambda PAM4 platform, is the third generation of its industry-leading PAM4 platform solution optimized for hyperscale data center networks. The platform solution includes Inphi’s high-performance, low power PAM4 DSPs alongside its companion market leading low power linear TIA and Driver. Based on 7nm, Porrima Gen3 offers an expanded feature set and enhanced direct drive capability, further expanding the breadth of lasers that can be used with the integrated laser driver. The new platform is also designed to reduce total module power consumption to less than 8W for 400Gbps DR4/FR4 mode in the QSFP-DD form factor.

Gen3 Key Features

• Compatible API and software suite with Porrima Gen1 and Gen2 to ensure smooth transition in deployment.
• Backward pin-to-pin compatibility allows minimum hardware changes on module design.
• Low-power consumption for next-generation module applications, enabling <8W 400Gbps, 4x100Gbps optical modules with 8x50Gbps electrical interfaces.
• Integrated 56Gbaud laser driver with direct-drive capability.
• Implemented in small form factor and power efficiency on proven, high-volume 7nm process technology node, ensuring fastest time to production.
• Numerous self-test and loopback modes that allow diagnostic monitoring of channel and system parameters.
• Modular API software suite that covers link margin and stress testing along with data and error analytics.

The Porrima™ Gen2 Single-Lambda PAM4 platform reduces optical module Bill of Material cost and enables sub-10 watt, 400Gbps QSFP-DD optical transceiver modules for hyperscale data center, service provider and enterprise networks. The platform solution includes Inphi’s high-performance, low power PAM4 DSPs alongside its companion market leading low power linear TIA and Driver. Porrima Gen2 supports client optics module deployment for both 400Gbps and 4x100Gbps applications with breakout mode support. Porrima Gen2 DSP also has an integrated laser driver with direct-drive capability, which reduces the total cost of ownership and module power consumption.

Gen2 Key Features

• Low power consumption for next generation module applications, enabling <10W DR4/FR4 optical modules per IEEE standards and MSA.
• Integrated 56Gbaud laser driver with direct-drive capability
• Enables DR1/FR1 optical modules for legacy 3.2/6.4T switches while offering an upgrade path for 12.8T switches.
• Field proven error-free interoperability on the host interface with merchant ASICs and ASSPs.
• Optimally designed DSP and TIA receive chain for power-performance trade-offs.
• Enables customers to develop a 400Gbps / 4x100Gbps optical interconnects in a compact form factor for applications with up to 10km.
• Supporting IN566x Linear TIA provides packaging flexibility for excellent linearity, high bandwidth, adjustable gain to optimize the PAM4 system performances and wide dynamic range to meet the different performance and link requirements for optical applications.
• Implemented in small form factor and power efficiency on proven, high-volume 16nm process technology node, ensuring fastest time to production.

The Porrima™ Gen2 Single-Lambda PAM4 platform reduces optical module Bill of Material cost and enables sub-10 watt, 400Gbps QSFP-DD optical transceiver modules for hyperscale data center, service provider and enterprise networks. The platform solution includes Inphi’s high-performance, low power PAM4 DSPs alongside its companion market leading low power linear TIA and Driver. Porrima Gen2 supports client optics module deployment for both 400Gbps and 4x100Gbps applications with breakout mode support. Porrima Gen2 DSP also has an integrated laser driver with direct-drive capability, which reduces the total cost of ownership and module power consumption.

Gen1 Key Features

• Low power consumption for next generation module applications, enabling <10W DR4/FR4 optical modules per IEEE standards and MSA.
• Integrated 56Gbaud laser driver with direct-drive capability
• Enables DR1/FR1 optical modules for legacy 3.2/6.4T switches while offering an upgrade path for 12.8T switches.
• Field proven error-free interoperability on the host interface with merchant ASICs and ASSPs.
• Optimally designed DSP and TIA receive chain for power-performance trade-offs.
• Enables customers to develop a 400Gbps / 4x100Gbps optical interconnects in a compact form factor for applications with up to 10km.
• Supporting IN566x Linear TIA provides packaging flexibility for excellent linearity, high bandwidth, adjustable gain to optimize the PAM4 system performances and wide dynamic range to meet the different performance and link requirements for optical applications.
• Implemented in small form factor and power efficiency on proven, high-volume 16nm process technology node, ensuring fastest time to production.

Module Applications (All Gens)

Form Factors

QSFP

OSFP

SFP

Additional Resources

March 9, 2020 / Subbu Seshadri, Sr Manager, Systems Application Engineer, Networking Interconnect

Demo Video: Porrima™ Gen3

March 9, 2020 / Eric Hayes, SVP, Networking Interconnect

Tech Talk: Spica™ and Porrima™ PAM4 DSP Platforms

March 9, 2020 / Inphi

Inphi Announces Third Generation, Low-Power Porrima PAM4 Platform for Hyperscale Data Center Networks

August 3, 2020 / Inphi

Why Does the Networking Industry Need to Keep Going to Faster I/O Speeds?