INDUSTRY

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Intel Corporation has introduced five new optical networking components that give equipment manufacturers increased flexibility when building 10 Gigabit per second optical networking equipment. These new products span the range of optical networking applications from the enterprise, to the metro, to the long-haul market segments. "Intel recognizes that continued growth of Internet traffic requires technologies such as high-performance 10G optical products. Equipment companies continue to design new line cards and systems to manage the growing traffic load, while reducing system cost, power and floor space," said Michael Ricci, vice president, Intel Communications Group, and general manager of the Optical Products Group. "In an environment where risk management is of critical importance to our customers and the viability of suppliers is paramount, Intel technology, manufacturing and financial strength provide equipment designers with security and confidence." The new products include the Intel(R) IXF18101 multi-rate capable 10 Gigabit Ethernet MAC and OC-192 SONET Framer that manage multi-protocol data transmissions over optical networks. Single-rate versions of the device are also available supporting SONET/SDH and 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Since the four components in this family are both pin and software compatible, equipment designers can design a single line card for applications such as core switches and routers, multi-service provisioning platforms and edge and enterprise switch platforms that support multiple protocols without having to redesign the line card, all while preserving the customers' investment in software. The IXF18101/2/3/4 family has been designed to operate with the Intel(R) TXN13303 multi-rate Optical Transceiver announced last year to produce a complete line card solution supporting multiple networking protocols. Intel also introduced two new Physical Medium Attachment (PMA) devices, the Intel LXT16706/07 and Intel LXT16768/69 SerDes chipsets that provide part of the physical connection between the opto-electronic device and the system framer. The LXT16706/07 consumes up to 40 percent less power than prior generation chipsets, while maintaining industry leading jitter performance for a cleaner optical signal. A limiting amplifier has been integrated directly into the chipset, thereby eliminating the need for an external limiting amplifier, which reduces overall system cost and simplifies design. It operates at 9.95 to 10.71 Gigabits per second for OC-192 SONET/SDH, 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Forward Error Correction applications, a technology that corrects for errors that occur in optical networks over long distances. The LXT16768/69 is a version of the PMA for ultra long-haul applications that operates from 11-13 gigabits per second. When coupled with the Intel IXF30007 Enhanced Digital Wrapper, it comprises a solution for Optical Transport Networks. The Intel LXT35401 and LXT11001 are XAUI (10 Gigabit Access Unit Interface) transceivers that enable optical equipment manufacturers to support the emerging 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard in their systems. The LXT35401 is the industry's first four-channel transceiver that supports the 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Fiber Channel physical layer proposals for four-channel Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and parallel optical modules. The individual signals are retimed on-chip, effectively removing jitter from the signal. The small footprint of the LXT35401 reduces board space and system cost in optical modules. Designed in CMOS technology, the device offers low power and future integration opportunities. The LXT11001 is used to connect devices that support the incumbent XGMII (10 gigabit media independent interface) network interface with devices that support the emerging XAUI standard. The device operates at 1.5 watts, which is up to 40 percent less power than competing devices. For further information visit www.intel.com