Nubis Nitro™ Linear Redriver Breaks Copper Reach Barriers for AI Scale-Up Networks, Enabling 4-Meter 200Gbps Copper Cables
In a groundbreaking development for AI scale-up networks, Nubis Communications, a leader in high-density optical interconnect solutions, has introduced the Nubis Nitro™ Linear Redriver, a revolutionary solution that extends the reach of copper cables to an unprecedented four meters at 200Gbps per lane. This innovation addresses one of the most pressing challenges in data center architecture: enabling scalable, low-latency, and energy-efficient connectivity as AI accelerators and switch IC ports race toward faster speeds.
The announcement also includes a strategic partnership with Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS) to deliver a family of Active Copper Cable (ACC) products powered by the Nitro™ Linear Redriver. These advancements are set to redefine copper interconnect capabilities, supporting architectures that span multiple racks and increasing xPU counts in scale-up domains by up to 10x.
Breaking the Copper Reach Barrier in AI Networking
As AI and machine learning systems grow exponentially, so does the demand for high-speed connectivity between accelerators. Traditional passive copper cables have struggled to meet these demands, especially at speeds of 200Gbps per lane, where they often fail to span distances beyond a single server rack—or even within it. The Nitro™ Linear Redriver solves this problem by leveraging Nubis’ expertise in linear high-speed analog electronics, originally developed for its optical interconnect solutions.
This breakthrough enables active copper interconnects that maintain ultra-low power consumption, minimal latency, and extended reach—up to 4 meters. This is a game-changer for AI scale-up networks, allowing architects to design systems that span multiple racks without compromising performance or reliability.
“Copper cable limitations are one of the biggest issues that data center architects face at 200Gbps per lane SerDes rates,” said Dylan Patel of SemiAnalysis. “Extending copper reach to over 3 meters using an extremely low-power, low-latency linear redriver would be an absolute game changer for the industry.”
Industry analyst Alan Weckel of 650 Group added, “We expect over 600 million lanes of 200Gbps SerDes to ship annually by 2029. Maintaining copper for this generation is critical due to its low power, low latency, and high reliability. Nubis’ Nitro Linear Redriver ensures the viability of copper interconnects at these speeds.”
How Nitro™ Works: Leveraging Linear Paradigm Expertise
Nubis has long been a pioneer in ultra-low-power optical interconnects, avoiding power-hungry optical DSP chips through its linear paradigm approach. With Nitro™, the company applies the same principles to copper interconnects, optimizing gain, frequency response, and noise profiles to extend the reach of 200Gbps channels.
By integrating seamlessly with host SerDes, Nitro™ offers operational simplicity, allowing users to deploy active copper cables with the same ease as passive ones while gaining significant reach advantages. Compared to alternative solutions, Nitro™ delivers:
- 10x less power
- 100x less latency
- 10x lower cost than DSP-based solutions
- 2x less power and 2x more reach than legacy analog equalizers
“This breakthrough was made possible by applying the same principles we use for unretimed linear optics to shorter active copper cables,” explained Dan Harding, CEO of Nubis. “Our focus has always been on lowering power, cost, and latency inside the data center. Partnering with Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS) allowed us to expand our portfolio into copper interconnects naturally.”
Strategic Partnership with Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS)
The first application of Nitro™ will be in Active Copper Cables (ACC) developed by Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS). These cables feature OSFP connectors housing Nitro™ devices, supporting 8 lanes of 200Gbps in each direction while consuming only 2.5 Watts per connector (or 1.5 pJ/bit).
Amphenol’s ACC product family, which includes various lengths and AWGs, is already sampling to lead customers. This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to driving innovation in AI networking.
“We provide the broadest portfolio of copper interconnect solutions in the industry and support all leading AI deployments,” said Sam Kocsis, Director of Standards and Technology at ACS. “It’s critical for AI networks to scale efficiently, and copper interconnects must keep pace in terms of reach, power, and latency. Working with Nubis has been instrumental in delivering a solution that meets these needs.”
Demonstrating Nitro™ at OFC 2025
Nubis and Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS) will showcase the capabilities of Nitro™ Linear Redriver and their 4-meter active copper cables at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) in San Francisco’s Moscone Center from April 1–3, 2025. Attendees will witness firsthand how Nitro™ achieves industry-leading performance with 200Gbps SerDes across extended distances.
Why This Matters for AI Scale-Up Networks
The ability to extend copper reach to 4 meters unlocks new possibilities for AI scale-up architectures. By spanning multiple racks, Nitro™-powered ACCs enable higher xPU counts, significantly boosting computational capacity. This advancement is particularly crucial for hyperscale data centers and AI-driven applications that require massive parallel processing.
Moreover, the combination of low power, low latency, and high reliability makes Nitro™ ideal for environments where efficiency and performance are paramount. As AI workloads continue to grow, solutions like Nitro™ ensure that copper remains a viable and cost-effective choice for interconnects.
Availability and Future Outlook
The Nitro™ Linear Redriver is now available for sampling, with full production expected soon. Through its partnership with Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS), Nubis is poised to deliver a comprehensive suite of Active Copper Cable solutions tailored to the evolving needs of AI scale-up networks.
For more information about Nubis Nitro™ Linear Redriver and its applications, visit Nubis Communications. To learn about Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS) and their ACC product line, visit Amphenol ACS.
About Nubis
Nubis innovates across photonics, electronics, packaging, and manufacturing to create high density linear optics solutions for AI with significantly better scalability, density, and power efficiency than existing solutions.
