OFC 2026 made one thing clear: as optical data rates accelerate and AI infrastructure scales, precision timing is emerging as a critical constraint in system performance.
Across the show floor, higher data rates, tighter signal margins, and increasing system complexity reinforced the growing importance of timing. coherent optics, optical transport systems, and AI datacenter interconnects all require timing solutions capable of maintaining signal integrity at multi-gigahertz frequencies while minimizing phase jitter, phase noise, and maximizing power-supply noise rejection.
Mixed-Signal Devices demonstrated how its multi-gigahertz digital timing architecture is enabling the next generation of optical and AI infrastructure systems.
Timing at the Center of Next-Generation Infrastructure
As system speeds continue to increase, traditional analog, PLL-based timing architectures are reaching their limits. These legacy approaches struggle to deliver the stability and scalability required for modern high-speed systems operating at multi-gigahertz frequencies.
At OFC 2026, Mixed-Signal Devices highlighted a novel approach, leveraging digitally synthesized timing combined with BAW resonator technology and advanced CMOS integration to deliver the precision required for next-generation infrastructure.
This architecture is designed to meet the increasingly stringent synchronization requirements of optical transport, AI interconnects, and high-speed networking platforms.
Demonstrating Multi-Gigahertz Timing with Sub-20 Femtosecond Jitter
At the show, Mixed-Signal Devices showcased its latest oscillator and clock-generation technologies, including its next-generation multi-gigahertz oscillator platform.
Key demonstrations included:
- Sub-20 femtosecond jitter at multi-gigahertz frequencies
- High-frequency operation approaching and exceeding 2 GHz
- Strong power-supply noise rejection in real-world system conditions
- Programmable digital timing for flexible system integration
These capabilities enable system architects to meet the stringent performance requirements of optical transport systems, coherent optics, and AI infrastructure, where even small timing deviations can significantly impact overall system performance.
Enabling Optical Transport and AI Infrastructure
The technologies demonstrated at OFC are optimized for high-performance applications including:
- Optical transport and coherent optics
- AI data-center interconnects
- Optical modules and active optical cables (AOCs)
- High-speed networking systems
- Emerging 5G and 6G infrastructure
As these systems continue to scale, the need for multi-gigahertz timing with ultra-low jitter performance will only increase.
Mixed-Signal Devices’ Digital Timing: Enabling the Next Generation of Optical and AI Infrastructure
OFC 2026 reinforced a clear industry direction: as optical and AI systems scale, precision timing is becoming foundational to system performance.
Mixed-Signal Devices is enabling this shift with multi-gigahertz digital timing solutions delivering sub-20 femtosecond jitter, designed to meet the performance, scalability, and integration requirements of next-generation infrastructure.
As the industry moves toward higher speeds and greater system complexity, the future of high-performance infrastructure will depend not only on bandwidth, but on the precision timing that enables it. OFC returns to Los Angeles March 9-11, 2027. See you there!