Addressing the global connectivity challenge
Data centers alone consumed approximately 450 TWh of electricity in 2022 – equivalent to the total annual energy usage of the United Kingdom. High-speed optical transceivers are essential for delivering reliable, low-latency, and energy-efficient data transmission. By leveraging hybrid integration, PHIX, Ligitek, Liverage, and ITRI are developing novel solutions that combine photonic and electronic ICs on a single substrate, reducing power consumption per bit and improving overall system efficiency. This addresses key challenges within the global optical transceiver market, which is expected to growth to $27.25 billion by 2030, opening up major commercial opportunities that build on this research.
Key objectives and capabilities
- Industrial-scale hybrid integration: Scalable automated assembly of photonic and electronic ICs to support large-scale production of co-packaged optical transceivers.
- Next-generation transceiver demonstrators: Co-packaged optical transceivers achieving 1.6 Tbps and 3.2 Tbps data rates.
- Energy-efficient design: Shorter electrical paths through co-integration with switches, lowering power use and thermal impact.
- Multilateral collaboration: Strengthening international cooperation in photonics between the Netherlands and Taiwan, accelerating innovation through joint development among PHIX, Ligitek, Liverage, and ITRI.
The initiative is jointly supported by Taiwan’s Industrial Development Administration (IDA, MoEA), the Netherlands’ PhotonDelta, the Netherlands Office Taipei (NLOT), and Taiwan Optoelectronic Semiconductor Industry Association (TOSIA). It marks the first comprehensive collaboration between the Taiwanese and Dutch integrated photonics ecosystems across design, packaging, module integration, manufacturing and system application, underscoring the complementary expertise of both nations in photonics and high-speed optical interconnects.
Milan Milosevic
Director of Research & Innovation at PHIX
About Ligitek
Ligitek Electronics Co., LTD. is a leading optoelectronic component manufacturer and system integrator, spanning automotive, advanced packaging, imaging, and high-speed communication. Combining strong R&D strength with automated mass production and system-level integration expertise, LIGITEK delivers end-to-end solutions that connect innovation with manufacturing excellence, enabling faster technology commercialization and driving the future of optoelectronic applications.
About LIVERAGE
Liverage Technology Inc. is a Taiwan-based optical transceiver developer and manufacturer with extensive experience in optical communication. The company provides high-speed transceiver design, optical-engine integration, and high-frequency signal verification for datacom, telecom, and data-center applications, while actively advancing electro-optical hybrid integration platforms in collaboration with international partners.
About ITRI
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world’s leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe.
