Credo Launches First 224G Multiprotocol Retimer for AI Scale-Up
Event summary
- Credo introduced the Blue Heron 224G AI scale-up retimer, supporting UALink, ESUN, and Ethernet protocols.
- The retimer enables full recovery of a 40+dB 224G link for rack-scale cable backplanes and flexible GPU/switch IC placement.
- Built on a 3nm process with advanced 224G SerDes, it features a 30-Tap FFE architecture and 16-Taps for reflection cancellation.
- Sampling began in January 2026, with production quantities available in Q3 2026.
The big picture
Credo's Blue Heron retimer addresses a critical need for extended cable and PCB backplane links in AI scale-up applications, aligning with the industry’s shift toward rack-scale architectures. The $40B projected scale-up networking market by 2030 underscores the strategic importance of multiprotocol solutions that support diverse AI workloads.
What we're watching
- Market Adoption
- The pace at which AI scale-up applications integrate the Blue Heron retimer will determine Credo's market share in high-speed interconnect solutions.
- Protocol Standardization
- How UALink, ESUN, and Ethernet protocols evolve may impact the long-term relevance of multiprotocol support in Credo’s offerings.
- Competitive Response
- Whether competitors will introduce similar multiprotocol retimers could influence pricing and differentiation strategies in the AI infrastructure space.
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