What exactly is the 'optical module' that is becoming popular with AI?

With the popularity of the AI ​​concept, have you noticed the field of optical modules? As one of the subdivisions of the AI ​​concept, the optical module index has increased significantly this year. This makes many friends wonder what exactly is an optical module? Why is it so popular? Today, let the editor answer your questions one by one~

Data source: Wind; statistical interval: 2022/12/31-2023/6/24.

Optical module,What is ?

In fact, the optical module is an electronic device. In the online world, it plays the role of a converter. One end is connected to the optical fiber (you can think of it as a network cable), and the other end is connected to the device. At the transmitting end, the electrical signal is converted into an optical signal, transmitted through the optical fiber, and then the optical signal is converted into an electrical signal at the receiving end.

Pictures come from the Internet

If you think these concepts are too obscure, let me give you a simple example. We usually use mobile phones to watch TV shows, chat, etc., and often use WiFi networks. Friends who have WiFi installed at home are definitely no strangers to optical cats. They are usually installed near the TV wall in your home and you can use WiFi by plugging in the Internet cable.

Pictures come from the Internet

The simple logic of this process is that the optical fiber transmits the signal to the optical cat, the optical cat then converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, and finally the electrical signal is transmitted to you in the form of WiFi. In this complex signal conversion process, optical modules are often used. Therefore, optical modules are indispensable in the network world.

Optical module,Why is it so important?

As a channel for data transmission, optical modules are like highways in the network world. Its iterative upgrades are like widening a highway, making network transmission faster. With the recent popularity of the AI ​​concept, optical modules as core components have also received widespread attention. However, in fact, not only the AI ​​field, optical modules are crucial to the development of the entire Internet industry.

If a self-driving vehicle encounters an obstacle, it should brake quickly. If we go back more than ten years ago, and the Internet speed was so slow that it took more than ten minutes to download a photo, then the accident would have happened before the vehicle could react. The same goes for AI. AI can answer the questions we ask in a short time, and can even help write a basic article in just a few minutes. All of these have very high requirements for data transmission speed, computing power, etc.

For this reason, many people are optimistic about the industry prospects of optical modules. As an important component in the Internet, optical modules are a typical industry driven by new product upgrade cycles. They are currently in a new outbreak period. Overseas Internet leaders have also begun to purchase 800G (high-speed transmission) products in bulk. The popularization of AI large models will bring an increase in demand for optical modules of tens of millions. According to Lightcounting's forecast, the global optical module market is expected to reach US$17.6 billion by 2026.

Overall, the ever-changing network world is inseparable from the iterative upgrade of optical modules, and the optical module industry will also benefit from this.

What are the application scenarios and of optical modules?

The application scenarios of optical modules are very rich. Here are a few that are familiar to you.

1.AI Large Model: As mentioned above, the efficient output of AI requires a large amount of computing power to support you, so that you can quickly screen out you from the massive data. The information you want is of course inseparable from the support of optical modules.

2.Data Center: With the development of cloud computing, big data and other industries, the era of Internet of Everything has arrived. Just like when we go out now, we no longer need to ask for directions. After entering the destination, the navigation will calculate the optimal route for you in a few seconds. This puts forward higher requirements for the information interaction and processing capabilities of the data center, and iterative upgrades of optical modules are also particularly important.

3.5G: Compared with 4G, 5G network has the characteristics of high bandwidth and low latency, which puts higher requirements on the function and performance of optical modules. Require. Optical modules with higher transmission rates will naturally have more demand.

In short, as our requirements for quality of life and work efficiency continue to improve, the trend of "light advancing and copper retreating" has become increasingly clear (metal media in transmission are replaced by optical fiber media), and optical modules are the core of optical communications. Device, its importance will be self-evident!

Source: Financial Industry Information

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