Samtec COBO Architecture

COBO is focused on developing standardized specifications for on-board or embedded optics. Samtec has been a part of COBO since its launch in 2015. COBO and its members have developed new tools to further the adoption of on-board optical modules. These solutions continue to find acceptance in the market place.

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COBO Compliance Boards

COBO and its partners have recently developed COBO Compliance Boards (CCBs). The CCBs are used for electrical and optical testing of COBO networking equipment. The CCB includes a Host Compliance Board (HCB) and a Module Compliance Board (MCB) which support 400GAUI-8 C2M interfaces.

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Advantages of COBO Architecture

The COBO architecture, a two-piece surface mount connector system based on Samtec’s FireFly™ Micro Flyover System™, offers many advantages over competing solutions. Size, power and flexibility all play a key part.

 

Arlon Martin, Marketing Director of the Samtec Optical Group, summarizes these point during the following interview from OFC 2019.

As Arlon mentions, Samtec offers the COBO Power/Control connector. The UCC8 series reduces the size of on-board optical modules while increasing port density in data center and HPC applications.

Additionally, the UCC8 series supports all low-speed signals on x8 and x16 lane full-duplex options in COBO modules. The built-in positive latching capabilities of the new connector enhance ruggedness in on-board optical modules.

Addition details on COBO and the CCBs are available on Samtec’s new COBO Standards page.