ILA Evo: Meta’s journey to reimagine fiber optic in-line amplifier sites

This post details Meta's ILA Evo effort to reimagine fiber optic in-line amplifier (ILA) sites. It describes the historical design constraints of ILAs and introduces new requirements for ILA Evo, including rapid deployment (3-4 days), reduced need for specialized heavy equipment, minimized concrete usage, and a target PUE of less than 1.5. The post outlines specific engineering approaches for building systems (lightweight FRP/GRP panels), foundations (low/no-concrete designs like screw piles), ISP installation (Manufactured Owner-Furnished Equipment - MOFE), cooling (advanced passive/liquid-based cooling, higher temperature set points), and backup power (alternatives to diesel generators like H2 fuel cells). It also discusses the macro benefits of ILA Evo, such as supply chain flexibility and stockpiling capabilities.