OptiCORE includes all of the features of the AlphaCORE electrical SerDes (low-power high-speed ADC, sub-sampling clock multiplier (SSCM), powerful DSP equalization including FFE and DFE, an optional most likely sequence detector (MLSD), robust equalization training algorithms, a built-in self-test (BIST) mode, and master controller) as well as the features needed for an optical SerDes, including an integrated laser driver, an updated RX front-end optimized for optical signaling, and a non-linear DSP equalization that corrects for both static and dynamic nonlinearity components.