Marvell has announced the industry's first 1.6 Tbit/s ZR/ZR+ data centre interconnect (DCI) pluggable and 2nm coherent DSPs featuring integrated media access control security (MACsec). The launch expands Marvell's technology portfolio to address the surging demand for secure, high-capacity AI connectivity.
The COLORZ 1600, powered by the Electra coherent DSP, represents the first 1.6T ZR/ZR+ pluggable on the market. Alongside this, Marvell has introduced Libra, the first 2nm 800 Gbit/s ZR/ZR+ coherent DSP, which enables a more power-efficient, second-generation COLORZ 800 pluggable. Both products feature in-chip MACsec security, targeting hyperscale AI and cloud networks.
Manufacturing scale meets technology leadership
As distributed AI workloads accelerate inter-data-centre traffic, ZR/ZR+ connectivity has become essential for networks requiring high bandwidth and built-in security. Demand for coherent pluggables is expected to surge through 2030, but the complexity of 2nm manufacturing requires significant scaling expertise.
Russ Esmacher, senior vice president and general manager of data centre interconnect at Marvell, noted that leadership goes beyond design: "Meeting the global needs of AI-driven data centres requires proven, large-scale manufacturing strength. We are expanding our pluggable manufacturing capacity to help customers rapidly deploy these disruptive technologies."
Scott Wilkinson, lead analyst at Cignal AI, added: "Marvell's move to 2nm solutions underscores its commitment to density and performance. Maintaining leadership in this competitive market requires a balance of power efficiency and high-volume manufacturability."
COLORZ 1600 specifications
Incorporating the Electra coherent DSP, the COLORZ 1600 connects campus (20 km), metro (120 km), and regional (1,000 km) data centres at 1.6 Tbit/s.
Form factor: Supports OSFP.
Interoperability: Full support for OIF, OpenZR+, and OpenROADM modes.
Spectrum: Compatible with C and L bands.
The impact for fibre: By doubling the capacity of the previous generation within the same physical footprint, the COLORZ 1600 allows operators to delay expensive new fibre builds by extracting 1.6T of capacity from existing dark fibre pairs.
Second-generation COLORZ 800
Powered by the new 2nm Libra coherent DSP, the second-generation COLORZ 800 allows cloud operators to secure interconnects across vast distances:
Metro: Up to 1,000 km at 800 Gbit/s.
Regional: Up to 2,000 km at 600 Gbit/s.
Long-haul: Up to 3,000 km at 400 Gbit/s.
Available in both QSFP-DD and OSFP form factors, the Libra-enabled platform significantly reduces DCI capital costs compared to traditional transponder-based systems.
Portfolio and availability
The Electra and Libra coherent DSPs, alongside the COLORZ 1600 and Libra-enabled COLORZ 800 pluggables, are expected to begin sampling to customers in the second half of 2026.
Marvell will showcase its end-to-end connectivity portfolio, including these new 1.6T solutions, at OFC 2026 from 17 to 19 March at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The company will exhibit at Booth 1600.
