Consortium For On-Board Optics Announces Formation Of Multimode Waveguide Interconnect System (MWIS) Working Group

New Working Group to Address Embedded Optical Waveguides in Printed Circuit Boards

SANTA CLARA,Calif.,Oct. 13,2021 --The Consortium for On-Board Optics (COBO)today announces the creation of the Multi-Mode Waveguide Interconnect System (MWIS) Working Group,formed to advance the increase of bandwidth and reduce power consumption for printed circuit board interconnect systems. COBO's new MWIS Working Group focuses specifically on the replacement of copper traces with multi-mode waveguides and adding an extra thin interface for Electrical/Optical and Optical/Electrical conversion within close proximity to the electrical component.

"I am very pleased to have kicked off the new Multimode Waveguide Interconnect System (MWIS) Working Group. Although embedded optical waveguides in printed circuit boards have been researched for decades,now is the time for the industry to work together to address the imminent bandwidth and power issues associated with copper interfaces," said Joshua Kihong Kim,Principal Engineer at Hirose Electric and COBO MWIS Working Group Chair. "In the development of on-board optical systems,this is one of the missing pieces of the puzzle,and COBO is stepping up to develop specifications to enable an industry eco-system."

"The growing diversity of optical applications within the Data Center,including machine learning and resource disaggregation,are driving an increased need to enhance high-speed board level interconnect systems with optical waveguide technology. COBO members recognize itis critical for companies to collaborate and provide guidance and specifications for design advancement," said Brad Booth,President at COBO and Principal Engineer,Azure Hardware Architecture at Microsoft. "We welcome interested parties to contact us if they would like understand more about our new MWIS Working Group."

About COBO

COBO is a member-driven,non-profit organization of optical networking leaders overcoming limitations associated with moving optics inside networking equipment through development of innovative industry specifications. For more information,visit http://onboardoptics.org/. Follow us on LinkedIn,Twitter,and YouTube.

Press Contact:

Melissa Kallos

Consortium for On-Board Optics

Melissa@onboardoptics.org

+1-408-234-0379