Lumentum Holdings Inc. has introduced its R300 optical circuit switch (OCS) featuring a 300x300 port capability, which is currently being sampled by multiple hyperscale customers. The product, designed to enhance scalability and performance in Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers, is expected to be generally available in the second half of 2025.

The R300 aims to address growing demands for AI infrastructure by offering a power-efficient and reliable solution compared to traditional Ethernet-based networks. Wupen Yuen, president of Cloud and Networking at Lumentum, stated that early customer feedback has been positive due to the product's potential to improve network reliability and reduce data center power consumption significantly.

The OCS leverages MEMS-based technology with a strong track record of reliability and performance, built upon extensive operating hours and a robust patent portfolio. Lumentum estimates that its OCS could lead to power savings of 65% or more for large-scale GPU deployments, driving the growing adoption of optical switching technology in AI infrastructures.

Industry experts suggest that as more hyperscale operators allocate resources to scale AI systems, OCS technologies will become increasingly important for enhancing data center networking capabilities.