Pluggable Input / Output Solutions Offer Significant Advantages for High Speed Applications
HARRISBURG, Pa. - April 28, 2008 - The pluggable I/O interface offers significant advantages as a high speed I/O interconnect in networking, storage, and telecom applications. It includes a standard equipment I/O interface, and with the flexibility of pluggable modules and cabling, comes with options of fiber and copper links. It also supports various data rates and protocols including Ethernet, Fibre Channel and InfiniBand standards. As a result, the integrator can design the cabling structure based on the application needs.
Tyco Electronics offers a complete Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) product line, including single-port and higher density multi-port SFP cages in single row and stacked configurations. As the market's demand for increased functionality and higher data rates continued to grow, Tyco Electronics introduced new options, including integrated lightpipes for port indicators, connectors with improved signal integrity, enhanced EMI springs for increased EMI suppression, and riding heatsink technology for thermal management.
As data rates reached 10 Gigabits per second, Tyco Electronics took an active role in developing the 10 Gigabit Serial (XFP) standard and the X2 MSA, the XAUI-based 10 Gigabit standards solution. Increased protocol speeds also led to the development of the SFP+ interface which extends the SFP form factor to support applications to 10 Gb/s, such as 8X Fibre Channel and 10G Ethernet standards. Enhanced EMI springs and elastomeric gaskets are used to address EMI containment at the higher data rates.
To address market needs for yet greater density in a high speed pluggable solution, the Quad Small-Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP) interface was developed, providing a 4-channel 40 Gb/s pluggable interface. Key proven technologies from XFP were adopted in this design.
Direct-attach cable assemblies are engineered by Tyco Electronics with these pluggable interfaces. Copper cables are a cost-effective solution for short reach applications, and are available with passive and active equalization. Active optical PARALIGHT cables are available for QSFP, which eliminate the need for a transceiver/cable interface.
Components of a pluggable I/O interface include:
o A host board connector
o a cage or guide rail, which provides EMI containment and guidance for the mating plug
o A mating plug, which may be in the form of a pluggable transceiver or direct attach cable assembly. A transceiver requires a mating cable assembly.
o Accessories include heatsinks, lightpipes, dust plugs, and EMI plugs.
Tyco Electronics has consistently led in the development of pluggable I/O standards. Tyco Electronics continues to be engaged in new pluggable interface standards to support the rapidly changing market needs for higher bandwidth, and remains an industry leader with the technical expertise required to deliver superior designs for signal integrity and EMI protection at higher data rates.
For a full overview of Tyco Electronics' pluggable interfaces with data sheets and part search capability, visit www.tycoelectronics.com/products/pluggableIO. For technical assistance, visit Tyco Electronics' Technical Support website at www.tycoelectronics.com/help.
ABOUT TYCO ELECTRONICS
Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, undersea telecommunication systems and wireless systems, with fiscal 2008 sales of $14.8 billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in industries from automotive, appliance and aerospace and defense to telecommunications, computers and consumer electronics. With nearly 8,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics' commitment is our customers' advantage. More information on Tyco Electronics can be found at www.tycoelectronics.com.
Contacts:
Product Communications:
Lori Hemminger
717-985-2305
lori.hemminger@tycoelectronics.com
