IBM and Avago Technologies have collaborated on a development in the field of optoelectronics that brings high bandwidth to supercomputing environments.
The 120 Gbps aggregate bandwidth offered by the 12-channel optical receivers and transmitters created by the pair is intended to support supercomputers' high-demand data transfers.
Philip Gadd, vice-president and general manager of Avago Technologies' fibre optics products division, says: "This achievement is the culmination of a three-year collaboration between Avago and IBM.
"This is all about working together closely with our clients to deliver value and marrying the expertise of two innovative companies."
First installations of the optoelectronics devised by the two companies should be possible as they are incorporated into IBM's next-generation POWER7 systems.
Avago's contribution to the optics capabilities of these allows for effective thermal management and superior signal integrity.
IBM suggests that POWER7 systems are suited to high-demand tasks such as real-time financial market analysis and smart energy grid monitoring.