Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq: SMTC) has launched two new transimpedance amplifiers aimed at helping data centers scale artificial intelligence infrastructure while reducing energy consumption. The devices, GN1834D and GN1818, expand the company’s FiberEdge® portfolio, which targets faster and more efficient optical interconnects.
AI workloads are accelerating demand for bandwidth in hyperscale facilities. Optical modules are moving from 100G per lane to 200G per lane, doubling throughput to 1.6 terabits. The increase in speed is pushing power consumption higher, turning energy efficiency into a critical factor in deployment decisions.
Analysts expect the shift to create a major growth cycle in optical networking. “AI is driving explosive growth in datacenters,” said Scott Wilkinson, lead analyst at Cignal AI. “The high-speed datacom transceiver market is projected to rise from $9 billion in 2024 to more than $17 billion in 2026.”
Semtech’s GN1834D is designed for 8x200G optical modules that deliver 1.6T throughput. It uses a hybrid 2.5D mounting structure that combines flip chip mounting at the photodetector interface with wire bond outputs. The design minimizes parasitic effects, improves signal integrity, and provides the analog performance needed for next-generation AI clusters.
The GN1818 is intended for operators extending 800G deployments. It is a 100G TIA that reduces power consumption by as much as 20 percent compared with competing solutions, according to Semtech, while maintaining latency and performance standards essential for AI applications. Its compact 250-micron pitch supports high port density in space-constrained modules, giving data center operators a way to extend existing infrastructure investments before moving to 1.6T systems.
Semtech emphasized that its competitive advantage lies in portfolio breadth. The company now offers four 200G per channel TIAs—the GN1834D, GN1832, GN1834, and GN1836—covering different pitches and mounting methods. That range, the company argues, allows customers to standardize on a single supplier while tailoring products for diverse applications.
“The 1.6T inflection point is here,” said Amit Thakar, vice president of signal integrity product marketing at Semtech. “Our comprehensive 200G TIA portfolio offers the power efficiency and flexibility needed for next-generation optical designs.”
Global cloud providers are investing heavily in AI clusters that link thousands of processors. These systems depend on high-bandwidth, low-latency connections, creating fresh demand for optical networking components that balance performance with energy efficiency. Competitors including Broadcom, Marvell, and Inphi are also racing to position themselves in the 1.6T era.
Semtech said both the GN1834D and GN1818 are now available for sampling, with broader availability expected to coincide with upcoming hyperscale rollouts. The company is betting that its dual strategy—serving both current 800G infrastructure and future 1.6T transitions—will give it an edge as operators standardize their interconnect platforms.
Semtech shares (SMTC) are closely followed by investors seeking exposure to AI infrastructure. The company, which develops semiconductors, IoT systems, and cloud connectivity solutions, is aiming to leverage its FiberEdge lineup to reinforce its role as a critical supplier in the data center supply chain at a time when AI adoption is reshaping network design worldwide.
