3M Joins 16-Member MSA to Standardize Expanded Beam Optical Connectivity for AI Data Centers
3M joined a coalition of 16 leading tech firms including AMD, Cisco, Meta and Oracle to establish a multi-source agreement developing open, interoperable expanded beam optical (EBO) connectivity standards for AI data centers. The initiative will define specifications for multiple EBO connector configurations to support high-density, high-performance optical interconnect deployments.
1. MSA Launch and Participants
On May 12, 3M joined a multi-source agreement alongside 15 other technology leaders—including Accelink, AMD, Cisco, Meta, Oracle, Senko and TE Connectivity—to collaboratively develop open, interoperable specifications for expanded beam optical (EBO) connectors targeting AI infrastructure.
2. Expanded Beam Optical Technology Benefits
Expanded beam optical connectivity offers greater reliability, simplified maintenance and enhanced performance in high-density environments by using beams rather than physical fiber contact, reducing alignment issues and operational overhead in hyperscale and enterprise AI deployments.
3. Impact on AI Data Center Deployments
By standardizing multiple EBO connector configurations, the MSA aims to cut deployment complexity and accelerate time to deployment for high-performance optical interconnects, enabling faster scaling of AI data centers across hyperscale and edge environments.
4. 3M’s Strategic Position and Outlook
Participation in the MSA builds on 3M’s materials science expertise and data center innovation portfolio, positioning the company to capture future growth in optical interconnect markets as AI workloads proliferate and demand interoperable, scalable infrastructure solutions.