Synopsys Accelerates AI Infrastructure with Photonics Partnership

Synopsys US8716071076

In a strategic move to address the growing demands of artificial intelligence, Synopsys has announced a collaboration with photonics specialist Lightmatter. The partnership, unveiled on Tuesday, aims to develop the next generation of AI infrastructure by merging conventional semiconductor technology with optical data transmission. This approach is seen as a promising avenue to overcome the performance limitations constraining current AI systems.

This initiative aligns with a significant industry expansion. The semiconductor manufacturing equipment market is projected to grow to $134.21 billion in 2026, up from $122.22 billion the previous year. Key growth drivers include AI-specific chips, data centers, and advanced packaging technologies. By partnering with Lightmatter, Synopsys is positioning itself directly within this high-growth segment.

The collaboration comes during a period of strategic refocusing for Synopsys. In mid-January, the company confirmed the sale of its Processor IP business to GlobalFoundries. This divestiture allows Synopsys to concentrate its core activities more intensely on software tools and intellectual property for advanced chip designs.

Technical Integration: Electronics Meets Light

At the heart of the partnership is a specific technical integration. Synopsys will integrate its 224G SerDes and UCIe IP for 3-nanometer processes into Lightmatter's Passage™ platform. This platform utilizes 3D Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), a technology where optical components are embedded directly into the chip package assembly. The objective is to facilitate data transfer between AI accelerators with minimal latency and maximum bandwidth.

The technical challenge is substantial. Modern AI systems are increasingly pushing against physical boundaries, with data consumption outpacing transmission capacity. Energy efficiency has also become a critical factor. Optical connections offer potential advantages over purely electrical solutions in both areas, but require seamless integration between the two domains.

Implications for Designers and Upcoming Events

For chip developers engineering complex AI accelerators, this partnership could reduce design risk and accelerate time-to-market. Synopsys will contribute its Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools to enable more efficient co-design of electrical and photonic elements.

Looking ahead, Synopsys is scheduled to release its next quarterly results on February 25, 2026. Furthermore, the company will host its inaugural Converge Conference on March 11 and 12. This new event platform is dedicated to engineering topics in the age of AI.

@ boerse-global.de | US8716071076 SYNOPSYS