Optical testing is the key bottleneck for scaling co-packaged optics deployment

BenBajarin · x · 2026-10-11

• The article argues that no matter how performant an optical engine is, it's worthless without easy high-volume testing — optical test is the core constraint on scaling CPO deployment.
• Challenges: photonic designs are finicky and the electronic-photonic design toolchain is fragmented, making automated optical testing far harder than semiconductor electrical testing.
• Technical issues covered include fiber coupler insertion, single/double-sided probing, OE/CPO tests, and the key test equipment suppliers in this space.

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