Broadcom's New Signi-PHY Transceiver Incorporates Advanced Features for Converged Voice and Data Networks - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, April 3, 2000

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM), the leading provider of integrated circuits enabling broadband communications to the home and business, Tuesday introduced an innovative transceiver technology that facilitates the deployment of Internet Protocol (IP) telephones into existing Ethernet networks.

Supporting the convergence of voice and data networks, the Broadcom Signi-PHY Transceiver features support for desktop IP telephones to receive power through the existing data cabling infrastructure. The new transceiver chip also significantly reduces system cost and power requirements as well as simplifies the installation of enterprise networks with the incorporation of Hewlett Packard's "Auto-MDIX" feature.

Broadcom's BCM5228 Signi-PHY incorporates "DTE Power Detection," which enables system manufacturers to develop highly efficient 10/100 Ethernet switches that can support an emerging class of data terminal equipment (DTE) or network appliances that receive power through the same Category 5 cable used for Ethernet data connections.

"DTE power detection" is a mechanism for detecting if a device on the network needs power to be supplied over the cable -- a key requirement for the deployment of IP telephones. Switches based on Broadcom's DTE Power transceiver technology can determine when to apply power to network-attached voice and video devices, such as IP telephones, web cameras, wireless LAN access points, home and industrial automation, security access control and monitoring, lighting control and building management. Broadcom's new transceiver technology also maintains backward compatibility with existing infrastructures and all applicable standards.

"The market for IP desktop telephones is a fast-growing, emerging market that will significantly benefit from receiving power through Ethernet connections. `DTE Power Detection' is the first step toward supporting this new class of equipment," said Tazio De Nicolo, Cisco Systems' Vice President of Engineering within the Enterprise Line of Business.

Broadcom's BCM5228 Signi-PHY transceiver uses the company's .22 micron, Digi-PHY core architecture, resulting in the world's lowest power, and smallest footprint, 8-port transceiver. The Signi-PHY slashes power to only 250mW per port, enabling manufacturers to reduce system cost by reducing power supply and fan requirements -- an important factor as Ethernet Switch ports are doubling from 24 to 48 ports per board. Available in a 256 Ball Grid Array (BGA) package, measuring only 17mm x 17mm, the BCM5228 is also the smallest octal 10/100 transceiver and the smallest footprint per port of any 10/100 transceiver available today. This small size allows board designers greater flexibility and frees up valuable board space for customer specific, value-added circuitry.

The BCM5228 also provides manufacturers with advanced transceiver features and capabilities, including support for "HP Auto-MDIX." Originally specified in the IEEE 802.3ab standard for Gigabit Ethernet over Category 5 cable, the Auto-MDI/MDIX feature enables the transceiver to automatically and transparently detect and correct incorrectly wired cables. With the HP-Auto-MDIX feature, any port on a switch can be connected to any other port on any switch, hub, or NIC, using any cable type ("crossover" or "straight-through") interchangeably. This makes installation, debug, and maintenance of the network substantially simpler (and less expensive) for the end user.

"We are happy to work closely with Broadcom in leading the innovation of the networking industry by bringing superior performance, quality and ease-of-use at affordable price levels to our customers," said John McHugh, General Manager, HP ProCurve Networking. "As Broadcom continues to introduce Ethernet PHY technology with industry-leading features and performance, HP ProCurve Networking will ensure that the technology translates into real value for our customers. Broadcom's support for HP Auto-MDIX and on board cable-length measurement is yet another example of how we jointly put world-class technology to work for customers that invest in HP ProCurve Networking solutions."

Signi-PHY Product Family Technical Details The BCM5228 incorporates eight full-duplex 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/FX Fast Ethernet transceivers and can be configured to operate with either a Reduced Media Independent Interface or a Serial Media Independent Interface for connection to very high port count switch chips. The chips operate from a single 2.5V power supply; the digital interface may be run at either 2.5V or 3.3V, allowing them to directly interface with any ASIC design. A programmable LED capability is configurable through either hardware or software. Additionally, a highly programmable serial LED mode allows flexibility in board design by driving LED's from a simple shift register remote from the PHY.

Broadcom's Signi-PHY transceivers also support a JTAG scan chain for in-circuit testing, which lowers the board manufacturing costs and increases overall system quality. Additionally, an onboard cable length meter reports the link distance for each port, via an MII register, to aid in system diagnostics. All of Broadcom's transceivers use the same Digi-PHY DSP architecture first shipped in 1997. With over eighty-million installed ports, it is the highest volume and most field-proven transceiver design in the industry.