SiPhx Demonstrates World-First Multi-Vendor Compatibility for 1.6T MCF Optical Interconnects

SiPhx Inc., a HyperPhotonix Hangzhou Co.,Ltd. group company headquartered in Tsukuba, Japan, announced today the successful demonstration of multi-vendor interoperability between its MCF-compatible optical transceiver and multicore fibers (MCFs) provided by three leading fiber manufacturers: Fujikura Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., and Corning Incorporated.

Through this evaluation, SiPhx’s MCF-compatible optical transceiver was validated as the world’s first transceiver compatible with MCFs from all three companies. This achievement is a significant milestone, indicating that MCF technology has moved beyond the research and development stage and reached a practical implementation phase for deployment in AI data centers.

Furthermore, utilizing MCF-dedicated test equipment from Anritsu Corporation, a key foundation for a practical MCF ecosystem encompassing fiber, optical transceivers, and measurement equipment was confirmed.

This technology is scheduled for a live demonstration at Interop Tokyo 2026, taking place from Wednesday, June 10 to Friday, June 12, 2026, at Makuhari Messe (SiPhx booth: Hall 3, 3Z07 Interop Pavilion).

Rising Optical Wiring Challenges in AI Data Centers

With the rapid proliferation of generative AI, the demand for communication bandwidth between GPU clusters in large-scale AI data centers is surging. However, significant challenges arise from the increasing number of cables, leading to space constraints, increased power consumption, and complex cable management.

MCF is gaining attention as a next-generation optical transmission technology that simultaneously achieves high density and reduced cabling by incorporating multiple transmission cores within a single optical fiber.

Verification Overview and Key Achievements

The verification configuration is as follows:

MCF (4-core): Fujikura, Sumitomo Electric, Corning

Optical Transceiver: SiPhx MCF-compatible transceiver

Transmission Speed: 1.6Tbps

Transmission Distance: Up to 500m

Additionally, transmission path characteristics, including crosstalk, were evaluated using Anritsu Corporation’s MCF-dedicated test equipment, the MT9100A. The verification confirmed stable high-speed signal transmission across all combinations.

The following effects are expected from this technology:

Up to 75% reduction in optical fiber usage

Significant space saving for GPU cluster wiring

Improved design flexibility through high-density wiring

Reduced infrastructure load and enhanced scalability in AI data centers

This demonstration serves as a crucial milestone, indicating that MCF technology is progressing from the research and development phase towards the implementation phase, with commercial deployment in AI data centers in view. This collaborative effort involving multiple fiber manufacturers, optical transceiver vendors, and measurement equipment manufacturers represents a significant step towards future standardization, quality evaluation, mass production, and market penetration.

SiPhx will continue to promote standardization activities for MCF technology and support next-generation high-speed interfaces, accelerating the practical realization of next-generation optical interconnects that support the sustainable evolution of AI infrastructure.

Interop Tokyo 2026 Exhibition Details

Dates: Wednesday, June 10 – Friday, June 12, 2026 Venue: Makuhari Messe, Hall 3, 3Z07 Interop Pavilion Exhibition Content: Live demonstration of MCF-compatible optical interconnects

SiPhx Inc. is a global company that develops and provides high-speed, energy-efficient, and low-latency optical communication technologies. The company deploys next-generation communication solutions that support the infrastructure for data centers and AI/machine learning worldwide.