Technology comparison

CPO vs Pluggable Optics

A technology comparison of co-packaged optics and pluggable optics for AI data center networks.

Research field	CPO	Pluggable Optics
What it is	Optics placed closer to switching silicon, often discussed as a way to improve bandwidth density and power efficiency.	Replaceable optical modules inserted into switch or server ports.
Why it matters	Could reduce electrical trace distance and power per bit as switch bandwidth increases.	Keeps serviceability, vendor flexibility, and operational familiarity.
Where it is used	Future high-radix switches and advanced systems; adoption remains uncertain.	Common in today and near-term data center optical networks.
Pros	Potential power efficiency Higher integration Bandwidth density	Serviceable Flexible supply chain Familiar operations
Cons	Serviceability complexity Manufacturing risk Ecosystem readiness	Power and front-panel constraints at extreme bandwidth Longer electrical paths
Key companies	Broadcom Marvell Technology POET Technologies Coherent	Lumentum Coherent Applied Optoelectronics Fabrinet
Adoption uncertainty	High. Timing depends on system design, reliability, and operator comfort.	Lower near term, though bandwidth scaling can pressure the form factor.

Key Companies

AVGO · Public · United States

Low risk

Large-scale semiconductor and infrastructure software platform with major relevance to AI networking silicon and custom accelerator ecosystems.

5/5

MRVL · Public · United States

Medium risk

Data infrastructure semiconductor company focused on custom silicon, optical DSPs, connectivity, and cloud networking.

5/5

POET · Public · Canada

Speculative risk

Early-stage photonics platform company associated with integrated optical engines and advanced packaging concepts.

3/5

LITE · Public · United States

Medium risk

Optical component and laser supplier with relevance to high-speed data center connectivity and photonics roadmaps.

4/5

COHR · Public · United States

Medium risk

Broad photonics and engineered materials supplier with exposure to optical communications and data center connectivity.

4/5

CPO vs pluggable optics

A plain-English comparison of co-packaged optics and pluggable optics for AI data center networking.

CPO companies

A practical map of companies and technologies tied to co-packaged optics, silicon photonics, and future AI data center interconnect.