Product Name: Marvell COLORZ 1600 2nm 1.6T ZR/ZR+ Pluggable Optical Platform

Manufacturer: Marvell

Product Category: Machine Vision and Optical Components & Systems

Supporting Documentation (if available)

Marvell COLORZ® 1600 ZR/ZR+ Pluggable and 2nm Coherent DSP Platform

As AI workloads scale across geographically distributed data centers, the challenge is no longer limited to compute or intra-rack connectivity—it is the ability to efficiently transmit massive volumes of data over optical networks spanning campus, metro, and regional distances. Traditional data center interconnect (DCI) solutions are increasingly constrained by power, cost, and scalability limitations, making it difficult for hyperscalers to support the bandwidth and reach required by next-generation AI applications.

Marvell addresses this challenge with the introduction of the COLORZ® 1600, the industry’s first 1.6T ZR/ZR+ pluggable optical module, powered by the Electra coherent DSP—the industry’s first 2nm coherent DSP. Together with the Libra 800G coherent DSP and next-generation COLORZ 800 pluggable, this platform delivers high-performance, secure, and scalable optical transmission optimized for AI-driven data center interconnects. By combining advanced coherent optics, integrated MACsec security, and high-volume manufacturability, Marvell enables efficient scale-across connectivity for hyperscale and cloud infrastructure.

COLORZ 1600 and Coherent DSP Platform Key Specs and Technical Features

• Industry’s First 1.6T ZR/ZR+ Pluggable (COLORZ 1600)
Enables high-capacity optical interconnects across campus (20 km), metro (120 km), and regional (up to 1,000 km) data center networks.
• 2nm Coherent DSP (Electra and Libra)
First coherent DSPs built on a 2nm process node, delivering industry-leading power efficiency, integration density, and performance.
• Integrated MACsec Security
Provides in-line encryption for secure data transmission across distributed AI infrastructure.
• Multi-Mode Interoperability
Supports OIF, OpenZR+, and OpenROADM standards, ensuring compatibility across multi-vendor optical ecosystems.
• C and L Band Operation
Enables flexible wavelength deployment for increased network capacity and reach.
• Form Factor Flexibility
Available in OSFP and QSFP-DD pluggable formats for seamless integration into existing network equipment.
• High-Efficiency Optical Transmission
Reduces power per bit compared to traditional DCI solutions, improving energy efficiency at scale.
• Extended Reach Connectivity
Supports up to 3,000 km transmission distances (COLORZ 800), enabling interconnectivity across regional and long-haul data center networks.

Innovative Optical Architecture for AI Scale-Across Networks

The COLORZ 1600 platform introduces a significant advancement in optical interconnect technology by enabling high-bandwidth, long-distance connectivity in a compact pluggable form factor. Unlike traditional DCI systems that rely on large, power-intensive transport equipment, the COLORZ platform integrates coherent optics directly into pluggable modules, simplifying deployment and reducing infrastructure overhead.

This architecture is critical for AI workloads, which increasingly require distributed processing across multiple data centers. By enabling high-speed optical connectivity over distances ranging from tens to thousands of kilometers, the platform allows hyperscalers to scale AI workloads beyond a single location while maintaining performance and efficiency.

The integration of MACsec security directly into the coherent DSP further enhances the platform’s capabilities by enabling secure data transmission without additional external components. This is particularly important for AI applications that involve sensitive data and require secure communication across distributed environments.

Serving Design Engineers and System Architects

The COLORZ 1600 platform is designed to address the needs of a wide range of engineering stakeholders:
• Design Engineers
Gain access to a highly integrated optical solution that simplifies system design, reduces component count, and enables efficient high-speed optical transmission.
• System Integrators
Can deploy scalable, pluggable optical interconnects without the need for complex external transport systems, reducing integration complexity and deployment time.
• Cloud and Hyperscale Architects
Enable scalable, secure, and efficient interconnectivity across distributed data centers, supporting the growing demands of AI workloads.

Benefits to End Users and Data Center Operators

• Higher Network Throughput
Enables 1.6T optical connectivity for data-intensive AI workloads.
• Reduced Power Consumption
Lowers power per bit compared to traditional DCI solutions, improving energy efficiency.
• Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Eliminates the need for large external transport systems, reducing capital and operational costs.
• Secure Data Transmission
Integrated MACsec ensures data protection across distributed networks.
• Scalable Infrastructure
Supports seamless expansion from campus to regional data center interconnects.
• Faster Deployment
Pluggable form factors enable rapid integration into existing network infrastructure.

Industry Context and Ecosystem Impact

As AI applications drive exponential growth in inter-data center traffic, coherent optical technologies such as ZR/ZR+ are becoming essential for enabling scalable, efficient, and cost-effective connectivity. The demand for coherent pluggable solutions is expected to grow significantly through the end of the decade, driven by hyperscale and cloud deployments.

Marvell has established leadership in this space through multiple generations of coherent DSP and pluggable innovations, from early ZR deployments to 400G and 800G solutions. With the introduction of 1.6T ZR/ZR+ pluggables and 2nm coherent DSPs, Marvell continues to set the pace for optical interconnect innovation, combining performance, efficiency, and manufacturability at scale.

Availability

Marvell Electra and Libra coherent DSPs, along with COLORZ 1600 and next-generation COLORZ 800 pluggables, are expected to begin sampling in the second half of 2026.