# High-Speed Interconnects for AI & Physical AI with Samtec

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2026-04-28
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 340
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-04-28-high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec/

## Summary

Matt Burns, Director of Technical Marketing at Samtec, discusses the evolution of high-speed interconnects for AI data centers and embedded systems. He explains how connector selection has shifted from an afterthought to a critical early-stage architectural decision to support data rates of 112G, 224G, and 448G. The conversation covers specific product families like Sci-Flex LP, Accelerated HP, and Sci-Flex HD, and details the move toward co-packaged copper and optics to reduce signal loss. Burns also explores how these high-speed technologies are trickling down to 'physical AI' applications in robotics and edge computing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-04-28-high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec#t=0) Introduction and Matt Burns' Background
- [5:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-04-28-high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec#t=340) The Shift to Early Connector Selection
- [11:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-04-28-high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec#t=693) High-Speed Data Center Interconnects (112G to 448G)
- [17:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-04-28-high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec#t=1071) Co-Packaged Copper and Optics vs. Near-Package
- [27:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-04-28-high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec#t=1643) Embedded Systems and Physical AI

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Samtec (company)
- Sci-Flex LP (product)
- Accelerated HP (product)
- Sci-Flex HD (product)
- Broadcom Tomahawk (product)
- Marvell Terlinks (product)
- Com Express (product)
- PCIe 6 (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EP 146: The State of AI Networking with Austin Lyons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-12-22-ep-146-the-state-of-ai-networking-with-austin-lyons) (The Circuit)
- [Interconnectorama](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-12-11-interconnectorama) (The Amp Hour)
- [BONUS - IPC's CTO & VP Technology Solutions Matt Kelly  at APEX 2023 - EMSNOW & SCOOP On Location](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-02-13-bonus-ipcs-cto-vp-technology-solutions-matt-kelly-at-apex-2023-emsnow-scoop-on-l) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [EP 180: HPE Reflections on AI Compute Racks, Analog Analog Analog Semis.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-06-22-ep-180-hpe-reflections-on-ai-compute-racks-analog-analog-analog-semis) (The Circuit)
- [When AI Gets a Body: Physical AI, Humanoids and the Future of Silicon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-06-05-when-ai-gets-a-body-physical-ai-humanoids-and-the-future-of-silicon) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-04-28-high-speed-interconnects-for-ai-physical-ai-with-samtec. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to OnTrack.