Google's next-generation TPU, Ironwood, integrates a 3D Torus network topology with the Apollo optical circuit switch (OCS) all-optical network, marking a major step forward in AI data-center interconnect design. In this period Jupiter has delivered 5x higher speed and capacity, 30% reduction in capex, 41% reduction in power, incremental deployment and technology refresh all while serving live production traffic. Amin Vahdat, Google's systems and services infrastructure team lead, told us why that is such a big deal. Optical modules typically have an electrical interface on the side that connects to the inside of the system and an optical interface on the side that connects to the outside. Optical circuit switches (OCS) that use mirrors mounted on micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) have helped Google scale its network capacity by five petabits per second (5Pb/s)since 2015. The switches, which bounce optical signals off an array of mirrors to redirect traffic, are mentioned as a.
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