ams OSRAM joins OCP initiative for AI data center optical standards

ams OSRAM has joined the ‘Short-Reach Micro-Emitter Optics (SRMO)’ industry initiative within the Open Compute Project (OCP). Led by US technology company Credo, this alliance of hyperscalers and industry leaders aims to develop binding standards for interoperable, highly parallel optical connectivity.

To address the rising demand for data center interconnects driven by massive GPU clusters and AI fabrics, the initiative utilizes a ‘Wide-and-Slow’ approach. This method transmits data across numerous parallel optical channels to achieve low latency and high bandwidth while maintaining energy and thermal efficiency. According to Ashkan Seyedi, Vice President of Digital Photonics Interconnect at ams OSRAM, these micro-emitters can provide 20 to 30 times greater reach than traditional copper connections while maintaining comparable bandwidth density and cost-efficiency.

At the ECOC 2026 event, ams OSRAM showcased a new 850-nm thin-film VCSEL platform designed for these applications. The platform is based on a gallium arsenide material system and is compatible with existing OM3 multi-mode fiber infrastructure. The joint OCP specification is targeted for release in 2027.