16.1 Tomahawk5: 51.2Tb/s 5nm Monolithic Switch Chip for AI/ML Networking

This paper provides an overview of Broadcom's Tomahawk5 (BCM78900 series, aka TH5) chip and the challenges of implementing a 51.2Tb/s advanced Ethernet switch in a monolithic die. We will describe several technologies that enabled TH5 realization and its advanced capabilities. TH5 is a cutting-edge switch chip designed for next-generation data center and AI networks. This chip represents a significant advancement in switch chip technology, offering 51.2Tb/s of switching capacity, which is double the bandwidth of its predecessors [1]. Integrated into the Tomahawk5 switch is Broadcom's Peregrine SerDes technology, which represents a significant advancement in high-speed data transmission for networking applications. The integrated SerDes cores provide native support for numerous physical connectivity options, including direct attach copper (DAC), front panel pluggable optics, linear pluggable optics (LPO), and co-packaged optics (CPO). This versatility allows data center operators to choose the most appropriate and cost-effective connectivity solutions for their needs.