New PCIe 6.0 pluggable optoelectronic module aims to deliver faster data transfer, improved energy efficiency, and greater design flexibility for modern data centers
Kyoto, Japan, 11 March 2026 – Kyocera Corporation has introduced a new optoelectronic module designed to support the growing demands of modern data centers and artificial intelligence workloads. The company announced the development of a pluggable optical communication module that supports the PCIe 6.0 standard, expanding its OPTINITY optoelectronic module lineup.
The new module, known as OSFP-XD, is designed to convert electrical signals from high-performance computing components such as CPUs and GPUs into optical signals. By using optical communication technology, the system can transfer data faster and more efficiently while reducing power consumption inside data centers.
With the rapid expansion of generative AI, machine learning, and large-scale data processing, data centers are handling increasingly large volumes of information. This requires faster and more reliable connections between computing devices such as GPUs, AI accelerators, and storage systems.
Traditional electrical connections can struggle with signal loss and high energy consumption when data travels over longer distances. As connections grow longer, additional hardware components called retimers are often needed to maintain signal quality. However, these components can increase both latency and energy usage.
Kyocera’s new optical module addresses these limitations by transmitting signals through optical fiber instead of electrical wiring. This approach allows data to travel over much longer distances while maintaining signal quality and reducing energy consumption.
The new OSFP-XD module supports PCIe 6.0 technology, enabling high-speed communication of up to 64 gigatransfers per second per lane. This level of performance allows large volumes of data to move quickly between computing devices, which is critical for AI workloads, high-performance computing, and cloud infrastructure.
One of the key advantages of the new module is its pluggable design. Unlike onboard modules that are permanently installed, pluggable modules can be easily integrated, replaced, or upgraded. This increases system flexibility and allows data center operators to adapt their infrastructure as computing needs evolve.
Another major benefit of optical communication is the ability to extend the distance between connected devices. While traditional electrical wiring is typically limited to connections of less than 10 meters, optical fiber connections can extend several hundred meters or more. This makes it easier to optimize the layout of servers and equipment inside data centers, improving cooling efficiency and simplifying maintenance.
The new module was developed in collaboration with AuthenX, a Taiwanese startup specializing in high-speed optical transceiver technology based on silicon photonics. Kyocera invested in the company through its corporate venture capital initiative, Kyocera Venture Innovation Fund I, in late 2025.
The collaboration combines AuthenX’s expertise in optical module design with Kyocera’s long-standing capabilities in PCIe protocol processing, signal management, and system integration. Together, the companies aim to accelerate the development and commercialization of optical interconnect technology for next-generation data centers.
Kyocera plans to showcase the new OSFP-XD optical module at OFC 2026, one of the world’s largest optical communication industry exhibitions. The event will take place in Los Angeles from March 17 to March 19 and will bring together telecommunications providers, data center operators, and technology researchers from around the world.
Looking ahead, Kyocera intends to expand its optical module portfolio by developing products that support multiple form factors and applications, including optical CDFP modules. These developments are expected to support the continued growth of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and next-generation data center technologies.
As AI adoption continues to increase and data center traffic grows worldwide, optical interconnect solutions like Kyocera’s PCIe 6.0 module are expected to play a critical role in enabling faster, more efficient, and scalable computing environments.
