Intel Labs announces a significant advancement in its integrated photonics research - the next frontier in increasing communication bandwidth between compute silicon in data centers and across networks. The latest research features industry-leading advancements in multiwavelength integrated optics, including the demonstration of an eight-wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array that is fully integrated on a silicon wafer and delivers excellent output power uniformity of +/- 0.25 decibel (dB) and wavelength spacing uniformity of ±6.5% that exceed industry specifications.

"This new research demonstrates that it's possible to achieve well-matched output power with uniform and densely spaced wavelengths. Most importantly, this can be done using existing manufacturing and process controls in Intel's fabs, thereby ensuring a clear path to volume production of the next-generation co-packaged optics and optical compute interconnect at scale." -Haisheng Rong, senior principal engineer at Intel Labs

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced the 200MP ISOCELL HP3, the image sensor with the industry's smallest 0.56-micrometer (μm)-pixels. "Samsung has continuously led the image sensor market trend through its technology leadership in high resolution sensors with the smallest pixels," said JoonSeo Yim, executive vice president of sensor business team at Samsung Electronics. "With our latest and upgraded 0.56μm 200MP ISOCELL HP3, Samsung will push on to deliver epic resolutions beyond professional levels for smartphone camera users."

Since its first 108MP image sensor roll-out in 2019, Samsung has been leading the trend of next-generation, ultra-high-resolution camera development. Through the steady launch of new image sensors and advancements in performance, the company is once again forging ahead with the 0.56μm 200MP ISOCELL HP3. The ISOCELL HP3, with a 12 percent smaller pixel size than the predecessor's 0.64μm, packs 200 million pixels in a 1/1.4" optical format, which is the diameter of the area that is captured through the camera lens. This means that the ISOCELL HP3 can enable an approximately 20 percent reduction in camera module surface area, allowing smartphone manufacturers to keep their premium devices slim.

Ayar Labs, the leader in chip-to-chip optical connectivity, is developing with NVIDIA groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure based on optical I/O technology to meet future demands of AI and high performance computing (HPC) workloads. The collaboration will focus on integrating Ayar Labs' technology to develop scale-out architectures enabled by high-bandwidth, low-latency and ultra-low-power optical-based interconnects for future NVIDIA products. Together, the companies plan to accelerate the development and adoption of optical I/O technology to support the explosive growth of AI and machine learning (ML) applications and data volumes.

Optical I/O uniquely changes the performance and power trajectories of system designs by enabling compute, memory and networking ASICs to communicate with dramatically increased bandwidth, at lower latency, over longer distances and at a fraction of the power of existing electrical I/O solutions. The technology is also foundational to enabling emerging heterogeneous compute systems, disaggregated/pooled designs, and unified memory architectures that are critical to accelerating future data center innovation.

CORSAIR, a world leader in high-performance gear for gamers and content creators, today unveiled a new optical-mechanical version of the award-winning K70 RGB TKL CHAMPION SERIES Gaming Keyboard. Featuring the acclaimed K70 RGB TKL tournament-ready tenkeyless design and stylish aluminium build, while adding hyper-fast CORSAIR OPX optical-mechanical keyswitches to its arsenal, the K70 RGB TKL Optical-Mechanical sets the bar higher still for esports-caliber gaming keyboards.

A new addition to the CHAMPION SERIES, CORSAIR OPX optical-mechanical keyswitches boast an incredibly short 1.0 mm actuation distance to swiftly register inputs. Their smooth linear motion is apt for high-level competitive gaming, and each switch is guaranteed for an extraordinary 150 million keystrokes. These premier keyswitches are housed in the iconic K70 aluminium frame renowned for its durability and portability, thanks to a compact tenkeyless profile and a detachable USB Type-C cable that makes it a snap to take on-the-go and connect to any system. Sturdy PBT double-shot keycaps, precision-molded to resist wear and fading, keep your keys looking and feeling like new even after years of use.

Razer has been quietly updating its peripheral lineup, including its Huntsman series of keyboards that used to be exclusively mechanical and using Razer-branded linear, tactile, or clicky switches. Then came optical switch versions that theoretically promise zero debounce and smoother travel owing to no mechanical components for the stem to physically move into, and this time it was either a linear Razer switch or a clicky one. It would be no surprise then that the natural progression of this was via analog switch versions of its popular keyboards. The full-size Huntsman V2 Analog was the first of these to launch a few months ago, with the use of "Razer Analog Optical Switches" to complete the set. These analog switches rely on optical sensors to detect the travel of the stem downward, akin to what the likes of Wooting have been doing for a while now, and aim to finally be the one peripheral to address the strengths of keyboards and game controllers collectively.

Perhaps the 100% form factor was too large for consumers, especially given analog switches have rarely found an established use case outside of gaming even today, so a smaller keyboard size may be what you are looking for. Razer certainly thinks as much, as today it introduced the Huntsman Mini Analog—a 60% form factor keyboard now employing the same Razer analog switches. With customization over the analog actuation in Razer Synapse between 1.5 and 3.6 mm, and plenty of games already good to go on Windows, the Huntsman Mini Analog might be also a dedicated game/macro pad in the making. It costs $149.99 in the US, which is a $20-30 hike over the equivalent Huntsman Mini keyboards with optical switches, and is a reasonable price increase with said context. Hit the link in the source to learn more, and perhaps purchase one if this is to your liking.

Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL) today announced the industry's first 800 Gbps or 8x 100 Gbps multimode platform solution, that enables data center infrastructure to achieve dramatically higher speeds for short-reach optical modules and Active Optical Cable (AOC) applications. As artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and high-performance computing (HPC) applications continue to drive greater bandwidth requirements, cloud-optimized solutions are needed that can bring lower power, latency and cost to short-range data center interconnections. The new 800G platform, which includes Marvell's PAM4 DSP with a multimode transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and Driver, enables faster data center speeds scaling to 800 Gbps, using conventional cost-effective vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology while accelerating time-to-market with plug-and-play deployment.

Today's data centers are packed with equipment utilizing optical modules or AOCs connected by multimode optical fiber optimized for communication over short distances within data centers. This 100G per lane multimode fiber provides cost-effective, low-power, short-reach connectivity. To support multi-gigabit transmissions, multimode architectures often use VCSEL transmitters, which offer the cost benefits of reliability, power efficiency and easy deployment.

British audio specialists QED introduces its Performance Optical Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, designed to transfer a maximum compressed video resolution of up to 48 Gb/s 10K@120 Hz over long cable runs of 7.5 to 20 metres in length. The perfect solution for modern day AV installations, this high-performance HDMI 2.1-certified cable can handle all current HDMI standards, including uncompressed 48 Gb/s 8K@60 Hz video resolution, Dolby Atmos audio and HDR (High Dynamic Range) picture technology.

Key features at glance:

• Transfer a maximum compressed video resolution of up to 48 Gb/s 10K@120 Hz over long cable runs of 7.5 to 20 metres in length
• HDMI 2.1-certified - cable can handle all current HDMI standards, including uncompressed 48 Gb/s 8K@60 Hz video resolution, Dolby Atmos audio and HDR (High Dynamic Range) picture technology.
• Hybrid design combines copper core with optical fibre that resists data degradation over extremely long length
• Reaction to Fire certification - features Low Smoke Zero Halogen jacket for protection against fire

Introducing the EVGA X12 Gaming Mouse, the latest entry to EVGA's X Series Gaming mice. Equipped with a USB 2.0 High-Speed 32-bit Arm Cortex-M33 core USB microprocessor, supporting a native 8000 Hz report rate, eight times the standard 1000 Hz on competing gaming mice, ensuring precision accuracy. Dual sensor configuration, LOD (Lift Off Distance) sensor paired with a Pixart 3389 optical sensor, the X12 uses an advanced 2-Dimension Array Tech to achieve precision readings. Allowing you to fine tune the sensor shut off height.

New light-weight ambidextrous body, flexible paracord USB cable, and low friction PTFE mouse feet to allow fast reactions and quick flicks. Full control and customization with EVGA Unleash RGB software. Customize and load up to five custom profiles to the onboard memory for taking settings on the go. EVGA X12 Gaming Mice also supports NVIDIA Reflex Analyzer, giving competitive gamers an accurate measurement of system latency for the first time.

ASUS has today announced the ROG Chakram X gaming mouse featuring the ROG AimPoint optical gaming sensor during their ROG CES 2022 livestream. The Chakram X includes the first ROG gaming mouse sensor with a 8000 Hz polling rate and an adjustable DPI of 100 to 36,000 with <1% CPI deviation. The mouse features a newly designed detachable joystick that can operate in analog and digital modes along with 11 configurable hotkeys including four side buttons and 9 zone RGB lighting. The ASUS ROG Chakram X weighs 127 g and will be available to purchase worldwide in Q1 2022.

Optical computing has been the research topic of many startups and tech companies like Intel and IBM, searching for the practical approach to bring a new way of computing. However, the most innovative solutions often come out of startups and today is no exception. According to the report from EETimes, optical computing startup Lightelligence has developed a processor that outperforms regular GPUs by 100 times in calculating some of the most challenging mathematical problems. As the report indicates, the Photonic Arithmetic Computing Engine (PACE) from Lightelligence manages to outperform regular GPUs, like NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3080, by almost 100 times in the NP-complete class of problems.

More precisely, the PACE accelerator was tackling the Ising model, an example of a thermodynamic system used for understanding phase transitions, and it achieved some impressive results. Compared to the RTX 3080, it reached 100 times greater speed-up. All of that was performed using 12,000 optical devices integrated onto a circuit and running at 1 GHz frequency. Compared to the purpose-built Toshiba's simulated bifurcation machine based on FPGAs, the PACE still outperforms this system designed to tackle the Ising mathematical computation by 25 times. The PACE chip uses standard silicon photonics integration of Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) for computing and MEMS to change the waveguide shape in the MZI.

The Genesis Krypton 290 is the model from the 200 series. In its ergonomic case you will find a 6400 DPI sensor, in-built memory for storing settings, as well as switches which provide effortless work for a long time. The set is complete with LED illumination with the signature PRISMO effect.

The Genesis Krypton 290 gaming mouse is a light (99 g) design with a symmetrical shape. The model is equipped with seven programmable buttons which can be configured with the use of the manufacturer's software. It also allows for recording of macros as well as changing the illumination settings and saving those options in the in-built memory. There are 16 million colors to choose from. The roller, logo on the top, as well as a LEDs running along the base are illuminated.

ROCCAT, Turtle Beach Corporation's award-winning Hamburg, Germany-based PC peripheral brand, today announced that the Kone Pro and Kone Pro Air are now available at participating retailers worldwide and from www.roccat.com. Since debuting in 2007, the Kone mice have represented the pinnacle of ROCCAT's precision design and have delivered the competitive feature advantages serious PC gamers need to win. The all-new Kone Pro mice combine ROCCAT's ridiculously fast Titan Optical Switch technology - which registers mouse clicks up to 100 times faster than standard gaming mice - with the signature feel of the brand's fan-favorite Kone shape. ROCCAT has put over a decade's worth of research into hand sizes, grip-types, and ergonomics to make the Kone Pro feel perfectly at home in gamers' hands. Windows Central reviewed the Kone Pro, calling it "an exceptional gaming mouse" with a 4.5/5 review score plus their "Recommended" award. The Kone Pro series mice come in Arctic White and Ash Black. The wired Kone Pro is available for a MSRP of $79.99, and the wireless Kone Pro Air is available for a MSRP of $129.99.

During its GPU Technology Conference (GTC) in China, Mr. Bill Dally—NVIDIA's chief scientist and SVP of research—has presented many interesting things about how the company plans to push the future of HPC, AI, graphics, healthcare, and edge computing. Mr. Dally has presented NVIDIA's research efforts and what is the future vision for its products. Among one of the most interesting things presented was a plan to ditch the standard electrical data transfer and use the speed of light to scale and advance node communication. The new technology utilizing optical data transfer is supposed to bring the power required to transfer by a significant amount.

The proposed plan by the company is to use an optical NVLink equivalent. While the current NVLink 2.0 chip uses eight pico Joules per bit (8 pJ/b) and can send signals only to 0.3 meters without any repeaters, the optical replacement is capable of sending data anywhere from 20 to 100 meters while consuming half the power (4 pJ/b). NVIDIA has conceptualized a system with four GPUs in a tray, all of which are connected by light. To power such a setup, there are lasers that produce 8-10 wavelengths. These wavelengths are modulated onto this at a speed of 25 Gbit/s per wavelength, using ring resonators. On the receiving side, ring photodetectors are used to pick up the wavelength and send it to the photodetector. This technique ensures fast data transfer capable of long distances.

Today, at Intel Labs Day, Intel highlighted industry-leading technological advances toward the realization of the company's long-standing vision of integrating photonics with low-cost, high-volume silicon. The advancements represent critical progress in the field of optical interconnects, which address growing challenges around the performance scaling of electrical input/output (I/O) as compute-hungry data workloads increasingly overwhelm network traffic in data centers. Intel demonstrated advances in key technology building blocks, including miniaturization, paving the way for tighter integration of optical and silicon technologies.

"We are approaching an I/O power wall and an I/O bandwidth gap that will dramatically hinder performance scaling. The rapid progress Intel is making in integrated photonics will enable the industry to fully re-imagine data center networks and architectures that are connected by light. We have now demonstrated all of the critical optical technology building blocks on one silicon platform, tightly integrated with CMOS silicon. Our research on tightly integrating photonics with CMOS silicon can systematically eliminate barriers across cost, power and size constraints to bring the transformative power of optical interconnects to server packages." -James Jaussi, senior principal engineer and director of PHY Lab, Intel Labs.

Mad Catz Global Limited, the leading innovators in gaming hardware, are excited to announce the new M.O.J.O. M1, a unique gaming mouse designed for those seeking a lightweight, high-performance mouse with a modern design.

The M.O.J.O. M1 is designed from the ground up to be the most comfortable and lightweight mouse possible. Using avian nest design concepts, Mad Catz has created a truly unique visual aesthetic whilst achieving a weight of just 70g. It's not just for looks either, the asymmetric hollow-pyramid design is able to accommodate both claw and palm grip styles. This means the M.O.J.O. M1 is the perfect partner for marathon gaming sessions, offering both comfort and lightweight precision for those flick-shot moments.

CORSAIR, a world leader in high-performance gaming peripherals and enthusiast components, today announced the launch of the KATAR PRO WIRELESS Gaming Mouse powered by SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS technology. At just 96 g, it is well-suited to fast-paced FPS and MOBA gameplay. With a compact symmetric shape ideal for claw and fingertip grip styles at a great value, the KATAR PRO WIRELESS will make an excellent fit for any PC gamer.

The KATAR PRO WIRELESS maintains gaming-grade wireless performance with sub-1 ms latency thanks to SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS, for a faster-than-wired connection that registers every move, click, and scroll when it matters most. Powered by a single AA battery for up to 135 hours of battery life, the KATAR PRO WIRELESS is equipped with a 10,000 DPI optical sensor and three DPI presets that can be switched on-the-fly. Its six buttons are fully programmable through CORSAIR iCUE software, letting you combine multiple commands into single one-click macros for clutch plays, remap any button or key to a more convenient location, and much more.

[Editor's note: Our review of the CORSAIR K100 keyboard can be found here.]

CORSAIR, a world leader in high-performance gaming peripherals and enthusiast components, today announced the launch of its new flagship gaming keyboard, the incomparable CORSAIR K100 RGB. Every detail is built for speed, starting with new CORSAIR AXON Hyper-Processing Technology, delivering your inputs up to four times faster than conventional gaming keyboards. The CORSAIR K100 RGB is equipped with a wide array of premium features that enhance both form and function, such as a refined aluminum frame, a multi-function iCUE control wheel, a 44-zone RGB LightEdge, and PBT double-shot keycaps with a standard bottom row. Available in a mechanical version featuring CHERRY MX SPEED Silver keyswitches, or an optical-mechanical version with exclusive new CORSAIR OPX keyswitches, the CORSAIR K100 RGB is the new pinnacle of gaming keyboards.

Debuting in the CORSAIR K100 RGB, onboard CORSAIR AXON Hyper-Processing Technology delivers peak performance unmatched by any other gaming keyboard on the market today. AXON enables native 4,000Hz hyper-polling and 4,000Hz key scanning, registering your keypresses up to four times faster than a standard gaming keyboard. Whether you choose the mechanical precision of CHERRY MX SPEED Silver keyswitches or the hyper-fast 1.0 mm actuation of CORSAIR OPX optical-mechanical keyswitches, AXON ensures that every input is read and delivered to your PC faster than ever before.

Cooler Master, a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative gaming peripherals and computer components, has released the MM720 Gaming Mouse, a lightweight gaming mouse with ergonomic form factor. The MM720 launches in matte black and glossy white and is available for pre-order starting today, September 30, 2020. It will be available for purchase on October 27, 2020 via Amazon, respectively, for $49.99.

The MM720 takes the iconic shape of Cooler Master's previously popular Xornet and Spawn mice and replaces the housing with an ultralight honeycomb shell, similar to that found on the MM711 series of lightweight gaming mice. In addition, a lightweight ultra-weave cable reduces drag without compromising durability. As a result, the mouse weighs in at a total of 49 g and retains the same ergonomic benefits of its previous iterations.

Sony Electronics Inc. announces the launch of Generation 3 ("Gen 3") PetaSite Optical Disc Archive technology, which is now shipping. The high-capacity archival storage solution scales from 165 TB to 2.9 PB of immutable optical storage in a standard 42U Rack. This launch follows Sony's recently announced Gen 3 high-capacity USB desktop drive units (ODS-D380U), fibre-channel library drive units (ODS-D380F) and 5.5 TB media cartridges (ODC5500R).

Sony's enterprise optical disc archive solution provides secure, immutable data preservation for a wide variety of applications and industries, including: corporate IT, state and local governments, surveillance, banking, education and healthcare, among others. In keeping with Sony's commitment to its customers and focus on long-term archive solutions, The Gen 3 enterprise class eight-channel, dual-sided optical drive is write compatible to Generation 2 and backward read compatible to all Optical Disc Archive cartridges.

ASML Holding NV (ASML) today announced that it has completed system integration and testing of its first-generation HMI multibeam inspection (MBI) system for 5 nm nodes and beyond. The HMI eScan1000 demonstrated successful multibeam operation, simultaneously scanning nine beams on a number of test wafers. With nine beams, the eScan1000 will increase throughput up to 600% compared to single e-beam inspection tools for targeted in-line defect inspection applications.

The new MBI system includes an electron optics system capable of creating and controlling multiple primary electron beamlets and then collecting and processing the resulting secondary electron beams, limiting beam-to-beam crosstalk to less than 2% and delivering consistent imaging quality. It also features a high-speed stage to increase the system's overall throughput and a high-speed computational architecture to process the streams of data from the multiple beamlets in real time.

CORSAIR, a world leader in high-performance gaming peripherals and enthusiast components, today announced the SCIMITAR RGB ELITE, the latest upgrade to the award-winning range of SCIMITAR RGB gaming mice, providing MOBA and MMO players with 17 fully programmable buttons and the patented Key Slider control system for convenient access to a multitude of shortcuts and macros, alongside a leading 18,000 DPI optical sensor. The SCIMITAR RGB ELITE will be right at home on the new CORSAIR MM500 Extended 3XL Premium Anti-Fray Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad. With dimensions of 1220 mm x 610 mm (48" x 24"), the MM500 is the biggest mouse pad that CORSAIR has ever produced, with room for everything on a player's desktop.

For MOBA and MMO players who need quick access to a host of shortcuts, commands, and complex macros, the CORSAIR SCIMITAR RGB ELITE combines a total of 17 programmable buttons with an upgraded 18,000 DPI optical sensor. The SCIMITAR RGB ELITE's patented Key Slider control system allows users to reposition the side button cluster 8 mm forward or backward to find the most comfortable position for a grid of 12 fully programmable side buttons. 50 million click-rated Omron switches and durable construction give the SCIMITAR RGB ELITE the longevity to last through years of late-night raiding.

SteelSeries, the leader in gaming and esports peripherals, today announces the Rival 3 gaming mouse, and Apex 3 and Apex 5 gaming keyboards - high performance gaming peripherals approachable for any gamer. With these products, SteelSeries has sought to bring the innovation and performance of its most premium offerings to a wider audience of gamers.

"There are so many gamers out there that are stuck using boring, traditional office peripherals for gaming," said Ehtisham Rabbani, SteelSeries CEO. "With these new products, we set office products in our sights and sought to retool our cutting-edge technologies and put them into products that are accessible for every gamer. No one should have to be stuck using run-of-the-mill office products for gaming."

Razer today announced the launch of the Razer Basilisk Ultimate and the Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed gaming mice. Both are joining Razer's ever-advancing wireless mouse family and offer the best-in-class wireless technology with Razer HyperSpeed.

Faster and more reliable wireless performance
Both mice are powered by Razer HyperSpeed, a wireless technology that is 25% faster than any other wireless gaming technologies*. It has also been tested and proven by top esports athletes, holding its own in the most intense and unforgiving arenas. With the lowest click latency in any wireless mouse technology, Razer HyperSpeed produces the fastest transmission speed to register swipes and clicks instantaneously. The improved Adaptive Frequency Hopping of Razer HyperSpeed provides a perfectly lag-free wireless connection, constantly scanning frequency channels for any interference and seamlessly switching across channels in real-time.

Mad Catz announced the shipping of their most advanced wireless mouse yet, the R.A.T.AIR. A flagship innovation in the evolution of the R.A.T. range, the R.A.T.AIR offers uncompromising wireless gameplay, thanks to cutting-edge electrical capacitor technology meaning no lag, no batteries and peerless performance.

Available to purchase today across select European territories, the R.A.T.AIR offers the ultimate solution for casual and competitive gamers alike. Comprised of two individual components, the R.A.T.AIR ships with the mouse itself as well as the innovative Activation Board. Plugging into the gamers' PC via USB, the Activation Board provides constant power to the mouse itself wirelessly, using best-in-class capacitor technology. Allowing the mouse to operate with no need for batteries, the Activision Board is so powerful, that the R.A.T.AIR even remains powered for a limited amount of time when lifted from the board itself, crucial for those who value 'lift-off' play. For those who steadfastly demand a wired connection, gamers can quickly unplug the connection to the Activation Board and directly connect the mouse to wired USB, offering a hybrid solution for all.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Huntsman Tournament Edition (TE) compact gaming keyboard designed for esports tournaments.

The Huntsman TE joins the Huntsman premium keyboard family built with Razer's ultra-fast light activated Optical Switches. After its introduction in June 2018, the critically acclaimed Razer Huntsman Elite has taken the world by storm, becoming the best selling gaming keyboard in the U.S. The Huntsman TE, the latest addition to Razer's lineup of high-performance gaming keyboards, now features a new type of optical switch that actuates even faster - the Razer Linear Optical Switch.