Samtec 448 Gbps Prototype Development
Samtec’s 448 Gbps work is still in prototype stage, pushing the boundaries of high-speed backplane and co-packaged interconnect technology .
Technical Challenges:
The industry hasn’t settled on a modulation scheme yet, creating the familiar chicken-and-egg problem: connectors and cables can’t be fully developed without test equipment, and test equipment development requires the connectors and cables. Samtec’s approach has leaned on its RF product expertise to address this challenge .
Test Infrastructure:
The company developed the Bulls Eye ISI board platform, and the new BE71A and BE130A test assemblies support measurements from 112 to 448 Gbps. These are already being embedded by some test equipment vendors directly into instrument front panels rather than used as external fixtures .
Demonstration Status:
Active 448 Gbps demos were running in the booth at DesignCon 2026, described as prototype-level but functional, demonstrating the path toward next-generation backplane and co-packaged interconnect solutions .
