2026-01-23 15:35Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the silicon photonics industry, particularly the demand for 800G and 1.6T optical modules, which is experiencing a surge due to a shortage of upstream EML chips and an increase in silicon photonics module penetration rates [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments - Silicon Photonics Technology: By 2024, silicon photonics technology is expected to become the mainstream solution for high-speed optical modules. The penetration rate of silicon photonics modules is projected to significantly increase by 2025, with a transition to the 1.6T high-speed era anticipated by 2026. Current demand for 800G and 1.6T optical modules is strong, leading to a 20% shortage of upstream EML chips, while silicon chips and CW chips remain relatively abundant [2]. - Investment Opportunities in Silicon Photonics: The silicon photonics industry can be divided into two main areas: silicon photonic devices, modules, and engines, and supporting process equipment and software manufacturers. Leading companies such as Zhongji Xuchuang and Xinyi Sheng are well-positioned to benefit from the upcoming industry evolution. Additionally, companies like Robert Technologies and JEPET are highlighted for their coupling and testing equipment, respectively. Other suppliers of CW lasers and passive devices, such as Yuanjie Technology, Shijia Technology, and Zhishang Technology, are also worth monitoring [3]. - TSMC's Performance and Impact: TSMC reported a revenue of $33.7 billion for Q4 2025, exceeding expectations and showing a year-over-year growth of 1.9%. The gross margin increased by 2.8 percentage points to 62.3%. TSMC plans to significantly increase its capital expenditure budget for 2026 to between $52 billion and $56 billion, up from $40.9 billion in 2025. This indicates strong global demand for AI chips, which supports the demand for 800G and 1.6T high-speed modules and benefits related industries such as liquid cooling [4][5]. - NVIDIA's CES Announcements: At CES, NVIDIA introduced the VeloRoulette cabinet and CPO switch, featuring an Ethernet CPU switch with a dual ASIC design that supports 128 800G ports, providing a total bandwidth of 102.4T. This development indicates active progress in CPO solutions and is beneficial for the entire silicon photonics industry, accelerating the growth of CPO modules and liquid cooling demand [6]. - Google Chain Development: The Google chain encompasses five key areas: 1.6T optical modules represented by Zhongji Xuchuang, Xinyi Sheng, and Yuanjie Technology; the liquid cooling market led by Invec; server power upgrades benefiting Oulu Tong; OCS participation from companies like Tengjing Technology and Jujing Technology; and the MPO connector market led by Changfei Fiber amid rising prices. The Google ecosystem is entering a positive cycle, continuously driving AI computing demand, with all parties ensuring TPU capacity to meet the growing market needs [7]. Additional Important Insights - The overall trend indicates a robust growth trajectory for the silicon photonics industry, driven by advancements in technology and increasing demand for high-speed data transmission solutions. The interplay between major players like TSMC, NVIDIA, and Google is crucial for shaping the future landscape of this sector [1][6][7].