New Intel Optical Networking Components Help Accelerate 10-Gigabit Ethernet in the Enterprise

Business Wire, Nov 19, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2002

The increased deployment of corporate PCs enabled with Gigabit Ethernet connections and the growing use of high-bandwidth multimedia applications and networked storage are creating the need for 10-Gigabit connections in enterprise data centers. To address this issue, Intel Corporation is introducing a suite of five optical components that speed the development of cost-effective 10-Gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet and 10Gbps FibreChannel optical transceivers.

A number of different multi-source agreements (MSAs) have emerged over the past year to address the reduced size, cost and power consumption requirements for optical transceivers aimed at enterprise applications. MSAs define electrical interfaces, physical characteristics, signaling schemes and other essential characteristics that enable companies to provide system OEMs with a reliable supply of standard products. XFP(1), XPAK(1)/X2(1) and XENPAK(1) are the three key MSAs for building optical transceivers for enterprise applications today, and Intel is the only company to offer all physical layer components for these MSAs. Intel provides a single source for application support and validated component interoperability, enabling optical transceiver manufacturers to reduce their time to market.

"These new optical components represent another step in Intel's strategy to bring high-speed communications to the data center and to drive the convergence of computing and communications," said Joergen Bardenfleth, general manager of Intel's Optical Components Division. "Intel is the only company that provides a complete range of components for industry standard-based, enterprise optical transceivers."

XFP Components

The new optical components from Intel include the Intel(R) LXT16713 10Gbps 1:1 Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) Device. Intel is the first vendor to offer a high-performance 1:1 CDR chip for XFP optical transceivers and optical line cards. The CDR helps the transceiver accurately sample an optical signal on a network. The device is protocol-agnostic, operating from 9.95 to 11.1 Gbps, and also includes an integrated, high-sensitivity Limiting Amplifier, which post-amplifies the electrical signal. Luminent Inc. is developing an optical transceiver based on the XFP MSA.

"Working with Intel enabled Luminent to be first to demonstrate an XFP MSA-compliant optical transceiver," said Near Margalit, vice president of marketing, Luminent Inc. "Intel helped facilitate our development process by offering evaluation boards and design kits, combined with local applications support."

Intel completes its XFP component family with the Intel(R) LXT16865 Transimpedance Amplifier (TIA), which receives electrical signals, and the Intel(R) LXT17001 10.7Gbps Low Power VCSEL Laser Driver, which is used to transmit information in an optical network.

XPAK/X2 and XENPAK Components

The new Intel(R) LXT12101 XAUI-to-10Gbps Serial Transceiver is used in XPAK/X2 and XENPAK optical transceivers, as well as XAUI-to-10Gbps serial line card applications. This transceiver translates XAUI (an electrical interface on many optical transceivers) signals to 10Gbps signals. The LXT12101 operates at low power -- typically 1.9 Watts and maximum of 2.2 Watts. Since this is a highly integrated part, it fits in the smallest package available and has few external components. In addition, it meets the jitter and eye diagram requirements for 10Gbps communications and supports Fibre Channel. An eye diagram is the display that appears on an oscilloscope to represent signal clarity in an optical transceiver.

Intel's XPAK/X2 and XENPAK solution is completed with the Intel(R) LXT17012 10.7Gbps Laser Driver or the LXT17001 VCSEL Laser Driver and the LXT16865 TIA.

Pricing and Availability

All of the components listed above are currently sampling. Sample pricing for these components is as follows: LXT16713 1:1 CDR, $99; LXT16865 TIA, $75; LXT17001 VCSEL Laser Driver, $54; LXT12101 XAUI-to-10Gbps Serial Transceiver, $180; and LXT17012 10.7Gbps Laser Driver, $110. Volume pricing is available. For more information on Intel's optical products, visit www.intel.com/go/optical.> Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.> Intel is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

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