Zarlink and Marvell® First to Demonstrate Synchronous Ethernet Solution Supporting Network-Quality Performance
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Companies demonstrate synchronization over Ethernet physical layer using Zarlink PLL (phase locked-loop) and Marvell Ethernet PHY technologies
OTTAWA, Jan. 31 /- Zarlink Semiconductor (NYSE/TSX:ZL) and Marvell® (NASDAQ:MRVL) today announced the successful demonstration of a synchronous Ethernet solution using already available products from both companies that will allow carriers to support real-time services over packet-based networks.
Carriers face a major stumbling block in the drive towards network convergence because many applications with "built-in" timing requirements rely significantly on network synchronization. For example, economical cellular backhaul over IP networks requires synchronization to allow legacy applications such as voice and fax to function properly. As high-growth applications such as YouTube and AOL Video gain popularity, these applications need to co-exist alongside critical time-sensitive services on IP backhaul networks. To guarantee performance, carriers must currently operate a number of different networks and deploy costly external mechanisms to ensure synchronization.
In response, Zarlink and Marvell's collaborative solution focuses on emerging synchronous Ethernet solutions that allow carriers to support real-time services over asynchronous Ethernet networks. In synchronous Ethernet operation, each piece of network equipment must have synchronized timing capabilities.
To meet this requirement, the companies have successfully completed interoperability testing demonstrating that Zarlink's ZL(TM)30120 analog/digital PLL can synchronize a Marvell 88E1145 Ethernet physical layer device to a telecom networking timing reference, while generating a very low jitter (picoseconds) Ethernet clock. This will enable developers of Ethernet switching and routing platforms to provide complete end-to-end solutions for next-generation IP networks.
"This interoperability testing advances Marvell's commitment to deliver the most comprehensive and technologically advanced Ethernet PHY solutions for the carrier market," said Ozdal Barkan, director of PHY Technology for the Connectivity Business Unit, Communications and Consumer Business Group at Marvell.
"As IP networks become ubiquitous, the ability to accurately synchronize what is by design a best-effort infrastructure is just as critical as the data that is being carried across the network," said Mel Roberts, director of Business Development, Zarlink Semiconductor. "By combining best-in-class technologies from the two companies, we will be able to provide customers with unique synchronous Ethernet solutions that offer network quality synchronization."
An application note on Zarlink-Marvell synchronous Ethernet interoperability testing is available: assets.zarlink.com/AN/ZLAN_211_AppNote_Jan07.pdf. Complete information on Zarlink's synchronous Ethernet timing technology, including detailed application notes and data sheets, is available to qualified customers.
To learn how to become a qualified customer please send an email to Timingandsynch@zarlink.com. Alternatively, contact your local sales representative. More information on Zarlink's timing technology is available at http://timing.zarlink.com/.
About Marvell
Marvell (NASDAQ:MRVL) is the leader in development of storage, communications, and consumer silicon solutions. The company's diverse product portfolio includes switching, transceiver, communications controller, wireless and storage solutions that power the entire communications infrastructure including enterprise, metro, home and storage networking. As used in this release, the terms "company" and "Marvell" refer to Marvell Technology Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including Marvell Semiconductor Inc. (MSI), Marvell Asia Pte Ltd (MAPL), Marvell Japan K.K., Marvell Taiwan Ltd., Marvell International Ltd. (MIL), Marvell U.K. Limited, Marvell Semiconductor Israel Ltd. (MSIL), RADLAN Computer Communications Ltd., and Marvell Semiconductor Germany GmbH. MSI is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and designs, develops and markets products on behalf of MIL and MAPL. MSI may be contacted at (408) 222-2500 or at www.marvell.com.
About Zarlink Semiconductor
For over 30 years, Zarlink Semiconductor has delivered semiconductor solutions that drive the capabilities of voice, enterprise, broadband and wireless communications. The Company's success is built on its technology strengths including voice and data networks, optoelectronics and ultra low-power communications. For more information, visit www.zarlink.com.
Shareholders and other individuals wishing to receive, free of charge, copies of the reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Regulatory Authorities, should visit the Company's web site at www.zarlink.com or contact Investor Relations.
Source: ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR
CONTACT:
Ed Goffin,
Media Relations,
(613) 270-7112,
edward.goffin@zarlink.com;
