Fujitsu and Gennum Showcase Unprecedented 10Gbps SFP+ Performance


Fujitsu and Gennum Showcase Unprecedented 10Gbps SFP+ Performance

SFP+ modules from Intel show dramatically improved signal integrity

LAS VEGAS, May 21 // -- Fujitsu Booth #1931 -- Highlighting dramatic performance improvements for networking applications, Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. and Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND) are hosting a unique demonstration at this week's Interop tradeshow in Las Vegas. The demonstration utilizes Fujitsu's innovative 10-Gigabit per second (Gbps) serial interconnect, Intel Corporation's small form factor pluggable (SFP+) modules and Gennum's industry-leading clock and data recovery (CDR) chip. Showcasing a working 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch solution with SFP+, this demonstration underscores the significant signal integrity optimization achieved with the use of CDRs.

"Our continued commitment to delivering superior optical networking solutions is showcased in this demonstration today," said Asif Hazarika, senior manager of the Networking Product Group of Fujitsu Microelectronics America. "The combination of our switch chip with Gennum's ClearEdgeTM CDRs delivers the best performance with the highest signal integrity for SFP+ applications."

The innovative 10Gbps serial interconnect, based on the Fujitsu MB8AA3020, connects directly to Intel's SFP+ optical module without any additional circuitry in between. Gennum's CDR solution, comprised of the company's 10-Gigabit Ethernet CDR ICs GN2023 and GN2024, is optimized to work with high integration ICs, such as Fujitsu's, and supports modules, such as Intel's 10GBASE-SR-compliant SFP+ optical transceiver enabling higher density linecard designs. CDRs are used to ensure optimal performance and relieve jitter budget concerns in SFP+ implementations, enabling practical, low cost, integrated solutions.

"While integration continues to play a key role in increasing port densities and reducing cost, the signal integrity must be maintained to meet the demanding performance requirements," said Bharat Tailor, marketing and applications director, Data Communications Product Division for Gennum. "This demonstration clearly showcases the tremendous benefit our CDRs bring to SFP+ applications, while highlighting the benefits of Fujitsu's highly integrated switch chip."

"SFP+ is a critical emerging optical module form factor," said Scott Schube, strategic marketing manager, Optical Platform Division, Intel. "By demonstrating 'plug and play' performance with existing devices, such as the Fujitsu ASIC and Gennum CDR, we are showcasing the opportunity for our customers to have a validated solution today that can deliver the performance required for high speed data communications applications such as servers, routers and switches."

SFP+ modules benefit from dedicated CDRs

There is always uncertainty-or jitter-with the timing of any high-speed signal. Using a CDR to "clean" the SFP+ signal improves the robustness of the link and eases the high-speed performance requirements on the highly integrated application specific standard products (ASSP) or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that are generally interconnected with the modules. The benefits of a dedicated CDR are showcased in the demonstration, using one of the industry's most advanced switch chips to deliver unprecedented 10Gbps performance with SFP+ modules.

The SFP+ module shown in the demonstration highlights the benefits of this emerging smaller form factor module, namely the increase in port density and reduced overall cost that SFP+ brings to networking applications such as data center and enterprise switches. Indeed, according to market research firm CIR, the market for SFP+ transceivers will reach $1 billion by 2012, underscoring the dramatic growth that the SFP+ market will experience over the next five years.

About the demonstration

Attendees at this year's Interop will see a 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch demonstration with SFP+ highlighting the excellent signal integrity of a CDR-based solution. Specifically, the demonstration shows a Fujitsu MB8AA3020 evaluation board directly connected to Intel's 10GBASE-SR-compliant SFP+ optical transceiver, creating a switch system. The transmission performance of the system is shown with and without CDR functionality enabled. With the CDR enabled, error-free operation is achieved at 10Gbps.

Featured products

o Having shipped more than 800,000 CDRs worldwide, Gennum is the leading
provider of CDRs for 10Gbps module applications. Gennum's latest CDR
solution, comprised of the second-generation GN2023 Limiting Amplifier
plus CDR IC and the GN2024 Equalizer plus CDR IC, can be utilized in
both XFP and SFP+ optical modules supporting 10-Gigabit Ethernet
applications; both devices operate from a 3.3V supply and do not
require a reference. The CDR solution is based on Gennum's ClearEdgeTM
technology, which offers enhanced performance and reduced power
consumption. Gennum's GN2023 and GN2024 10-Gigabit Ethernet CDRs are
available today. For more information, visit http://gennum.com/data

o The Fujitsu MB8AA3020 supports 20-port 10Gbps channels, or more than
400Gbps of non-blocking, aggregate switching bandwidth. The switch chip
can be used with both XFP and SFP+ modules. Ethernet switch samples and
evaluation boards are available now. For more information, visit
http://us.fujitsu.com/micro/10gethernet

o Intel is a leading provider of 10 Gigabit Ethernet optical
transceivers. Intel offers a full line of XENPAK and X2 optical
modules, and is now extending its broad 10G product portfolio to
include high density, low power SFP+ modules. Intel's SFP+ modules are
sampling now. For more information, visit
http://www.intel.com/go/optical

About Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.

Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) leads the industry in innovation. FMA provides high-quality, reliable semiconductor products and services for the networking, communications, automotive, security and other markets throughout North and South America. For more information about 10 Gigabit Ethernet please see us.fujitsu.com/micro/10gethernet, or e-mail inquiry@fma.fujitsu.com

About Gennum

Gennum Corporation (TSX: GND) is a leading designer and manufacturer of semiconductor solutions for the global video, data communications and audio markets. A winner of a Technical Emmy(R) award for advances in high definition (HD) broadcasting, Gennum's broad portfolio of products and technologies include image processors, video timing and transport products, ICs for optical transceivers, backplane interconnects and low power digital signal processing (DSP) solutions. Gennum is headquartered in Burlington, Canada, and has global design, research and development and sales offices in Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. www.gennum.com

Emmy(R) is a registered trademark of the National Television Academy. Gennum, the Gennum logo and VXP are registered trademarks of Gennum Corporation. All product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries

Source: Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.

CONTACT: Emi Igarashi of Fujitsu Microelectronics America,
+1-408-737-5647, eigarash@fma.fujitsu.com; or Robin Vaitonis of Gennum Corporation, +1-905-632-2999, ext. 2110, vaitonis@gennum.com

Web site: http://www.fma.fujitsu.com/
http://www.gennum.com/
http://www.intel.com/

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